American hip-hop artist Shawty Lo has been killed in a car accident in Atlanta.
Reports in the US suggest the rapper died when the car he was travelling in rolled over, hit a tree and burst into flames in the early hours of Wednesday.
A message posted on Lo’s Twitter account confirmed the news.
My brother has passed he is no longer here but his spirit, his kind heart , and his music will live on Long live Shawty Lo King of Bankhead
— SHAWTY LO (@THATSSHAWTYLO) September 21, 2016
Manager Johnnie Cabell wrote a tribute on Instagram saying he was devastated at the loss of the 40-year-old, whose real name was Carlos Walker.
He said: “I am so so so devastated that words can not describe how I feel right now.
“Shawty Lo was not just my artist he was my Brother He was My Friend.
I am so so so devastated that words can not describe how I feel right now. Shawty Lo was not just my artist he was my Brother He was My Friend. I have been Lo MGR for over 10yrs He was Loyal and he had my back when no one else did. I could count on him when I had no one else to turn to. We been thru so much together. If you knew Lo then you know he was genuine He was Real he would do anything he could if he had it. I Genuinely love this man like my blood brother. I Will Keep His Name Alive and and His Music !!!! Please Pray for Us The Whole D4L Family Lo Family His Mom His Kids His Children Mothers We need you all prayers and Support !!!!!!
A photo posted by Johnnie Cabbell (@johnniecabbell) on
“I have been Lo MGR for over 10yrs He was Loyal and he had my back when no one else did. I could count on him when I had no one else to turn to. We been thru so much together.
“If you knew Lo then you know he was genuine He was Real he would do anything he could if he had it. I Genuinely love this man like my blood brother. I Will Keep His Name Alive and and His Music !!!! Please Pray for Us The Whole D4L Family Lo Family His Mom His Kids His Children Mothers We need you all prayers and Support !!!!!!”
Lo was known for forming the group D4L in 2003 and also had a solo career with songs such as Dey Know and New Money.
Fans on Twitter have also been paying tribute to the star.
RIP Shawty Lo. ðð½. Prayers to his family and friends. ATown Legend.
— DJ DRAMA (@DJDRAMA) September 21, 2016
RIP Shawty Lo. We never know when it's our time.
— Sir Foster (@Sir_Foster) September 21, 2016
HELL NO REST IN PEACE SHAWTY LO I WAS HURT WHEN I HEARD IT THAT MAN A LEGEND SMH
— sunny blanco … (@ChillySoSa) September 21, 2016
legends never die…Shawty Lo Forever ðð¾
— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) September 21, 2016
RIP Shawty Lo.
