French-American rapper Lucas Coly, who rose to social media fame nearly a decade ago, died at age 27, his talent agency said Thursday.
Coly’s manager, who is not named on the agency’s social media accounts, wrote on the post he had a “hole in my heart,” adding in a separate Facebook post he was on the phone with Coly “moments before” his death.
On Wednesday, Coly wrote a message on Instagram that read: “I love y’all.”
Coly first gained popularity as a rapper who would rap in French and English in Vine videos over a decade ago. His biggest song to date "I Just Wanna" dropped in 2016 and has amassed 19 million views and counting. He continued to gain more followers on social media, especially after he began dating fellow influencer Amber H in 2017. The couple launched a YouTube channel together the following year and built a loyal fanbase. The couple never formally announced that they broke up, but fans believed there was trouble in paradise. Last year, she went on a rant about their relationship issues in a viral TikTok. They were seen together on an TikTok Live session earlier this year so it's possible that they worked things out. As of this report, Amber has not commented on Coly's death. Rest in peace, Lucas Coly.
Born in France in 1996, Coly later moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 8 years old, NBC News reported. Coly began creating music in the early 2010s, with some of his songs reaching millions of views on YouTube and SoundCloud. He is known for his songs “I Just Wanna,” “Break Ya Back” and “Numb,” which have eclipsed 19 million, 11 million and 10 million views on YouTube, respectively.
Coly’s death was confirmed by his manager via Instagram, where he wrote, “Rest in peace @iamlucascoly I love you bro. My heart is ripped in half. Wait for me up there.” However, the manager later edited the caption to only feature a heart emoji.
The manager has not yet revealed a cause of death. Fans are mourning Coly’s passing and sending their condolences to his family and friends on social media.
Rise to Fame Through Viral Videos
Coly rose to fame on the now-defunct platform Vine, where his bilingual rap videos quickly captured the attention of a global audience.
His videos went viral and he quickly amassed a large following. He used his platform to share his music and connect with fans from around the world.
Building a Fanbase
Coly continued to build his fanbase on other platforms, including YouTube and Instagram. He released several songs that became popular on YouTube, including “I Just Wanna,” “Break Ya Back,” and “Numb.”
He also collaborated with other artists and influencers, which helped to increase his reach and visibility.
Social Media Influencer and Rapper
Coly was also a popular social media influencer. He shared his life with his followers on Instagram, where he had over a million followers.
His fans appreciated his honesty and his willingness to share his struggles with them. He was also known for his sense of humor and his positive attitude.
A Lasting Legacy
He will be remembered for his music, his sense of humor, and his positive attitude.
He left a lasting legacy on the world, inspiring countless people to pursue their dreams.
A Heartbreaking End
While his death may seem sudden, Coly’s manager’s posts suggest he may have struggled with his mental health. Coly’s final Instagram Story message, “I love y’all,” further emphasizes the importance of checking on your loved ones.
Coly's death serves as a reminder that mental health is important and that we should all be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues. It is also important to reach out to those we love and let them know that we are there for them.
Reaching Out for Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are resources available to help.
You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741741. These resources are available 24/7 and provide confidential support and guidance.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help.