Just weeks before he was shot and killed on June 18, rapper XXXTentacion reportedly inked a major record deal.
The 20-year-old signed a $10 million contract with the independent music company Empire Distribution, which released his debut album, according to the New York Times.
Empire founder Ghazi Shami wouldn't confirm the financials to the Times, but said that "a significant amount of material" for XXXTentacion's third album has already been recorded. That music, however, likely won't be heard until at least October, due to a previous contract.
The controversial rapper released "17," his debut album, in August 2017, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. His follow-up, "?," debuted at No. 1 on the top 200 this past March.
In May, Spotify announced that it would stop promoting XXXTentacion's music, citing its Hate Content and Hateful Conduct policy; the rapper's lengthy rap sheet includes robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and aggravated battery of his pregnant girlfriend.
The music service eventually reinstated the problematic performer's music on its playlists and XXXTentacion broke Taylor Swift's single-day streaming record the day after he was shot and killed at a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
In late June, 22-year-old Dedrick Devonshay Williams pleaded not guilty to charges including the first-degree murder of the rapper. Two other suspects are reportedly still being eyed by the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
