BB&T Center To Host XXXTentacion Public Open-Casket Viewing June 27

BB&T Center, home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and an active concert venue, will host an open-casket viewing and fan memorial “in loving memory” of Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, otherwise known as rapper XXXTentacion who was killed by a gunshot wound June 18.

“XXXTentaction touched the lives of millions around the globe and will forever reside in the hearts of countless fans who listened to his music, attended his concerts, and felt the glow of his uncontainable, undeniable, and unique spirit,” the announcement states, describing the Florida-based rapper as “A molotov cocktail of ethereal energy, punk spirit, metal mayhem, hip-hop bombast, and alternative emotion.” 

A representative told Pollstar the event was put together by XXXTentacion’s family for his fans.

The viewing takes place June 27 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the 20,000-capacity Sunrise, Fla., venue, near Ft. Lauderdale. 

The rapper had undeniable star power with his debut album being gold-certified and his passing leading to high-profile stars and millions of fans paying their respects. His single “Sad” also post-humously charted at No. 1.

Florida Panthers – BB&T Center
in Sunrise, Fla.

He was also developing a fanbase on the road, represented by hip-hop power agent Cara Lewis, with sellouts reported to Pollstar including at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit (1,100 tickets), Myth in Saint Paul (1,700 tickets), Showbox Sodo (1,850), Roseland Theatre in Portland (1,360), Regency Ballroom in San Francisco (1,424) and The Catalyst in Santa Cruz (1,000 tickets) last June. 

However, he also made headlines for exchanging blows during concerts and was facing trial on charges of assaulting a pregnant girlfriend. He also had to cancel a free concert appearance in Florida when the crowd became too large and unmanageable.

Demonstrating X’s increasing cache in the concert world, one concert promoter told Pollstar he offered the rapper $1.5 million to do 15 shows, but the deal fell through after cancellations and legal troubles.  

A 22-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting, which took place at an upscale motorcycle dealership in Florida.