Rapper Luci4 dies at 23

The 'BodyPartz' artist was a trailblazer in the sigilkore genre.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Los Angeles rapper Luci4, best known for his 2021 hit song 'BodyPartz,' has died at the age of 23. The rapper, whose legal name was James Dear but also went by 'Axxturel,' was found dead at a private residence on Sunday. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office.

Why it matters

Luci4 was a rising star in the music industry, with his single 'BodyPartz' earning him a record deal with Atlantic Records and becoming certified gold in 2024. His unique blend of trap, electronic, and cloud rap music, known as 'sigilkore,' made him a trailblazer in the genre. His passing at such a young age is a significant loss for the music community.

The details

According to reports, Luci4 was found dead at a friend's house on Sunday morning. The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene around 11:40 AM PT. The medical examiner has deferred the cause of death pending further investigation. Luci4 had recently released several singles in 2026, including 'Otw,' 'Sleeve,' 'B4 the Storm,' and '#NEVERSURRENDER,' and remained active on SoundCloud up until February 15th.

  • Luci4 was found dead on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced him dead around 11:40 AM PT on February 23, 2026.

The players

Luci4

A 23-year-old Los Angeles rapper, also known as James Dear or 'Axxturel,' who was known for his hit song 'BodyPartz' and pioneering the 'sigilkore' genre.

Kayla G

Luci4's manager, who announced his death on the rapper's TikTok account.

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What they’re saying

“I am devastated to inform you that today James, Luci4, axxtural has passed away. He was truly a leader, a king and musician and a genius. There's nobody like him and there will never be. We all loved him dearly. Rest easy.”

— Kayla G, Luci4's manager (TikTok)

What’s next

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office is continuing its investigation into the cause of Luci4's death.

The takeaway

Luci4's passing at just 23 years old is a tragic loss for the music industry, as he was a rising star and trailblazer in the unique 'sigilkore' genre he helped pioneer. His hit song 'BodyPartz' and other recent releases showed his immense talent, and his fans and the industry will deeply mourn his untimely death.