He was leaving a motorcycle dealership in south Florida on Monday when an armed suspect shot him.
Police in Broward County said XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
He was often described as one of rap's most controversial artists and was facing domestic violence charges.
The polarising artist had been hailed as a breakthrough talent and tributes have been pouring in from hip-hop luminaries in the wake of his death.
