Jamie Foxx pays tribute to late rapper XXXTentacion and pleads for an end to 'senseless violence' during emotional speech at BET Awards
Jamie Foxx paid tribute to late rapper XXXTentacion while hosting the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The musician, 50, made sure to address the crowd at the Microsoft Theater about the Changes artist - who was shot dead at the age of 20 in Florida last week.
Taking to the stage, Jamie made a heartfelt plea to not become too used to 'senseless' violence and called for change in the way people react to gun deaths.
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Heartfelt: Jamie Foxx, 50, paid tribute to late rapper XXXTentacion and pleaded for an end to 'senseless violence' during an emotional speech at BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday
During an in memoriam segment of the award show, a photo of XXXTentacion centered on the large screen behind Jamie.
The clearly emotional star said he wanted to take a moment to 'acknowledge' the young rapper and encouraged the star-studded audience to make a change.
In the moving speech, Jamie explained: 'I want to take a moment to acknowledge this young man, this brother who was killed earlier this week.
'No matter where you start, you have the opportunity to change.
Upset: The musician, 50, made sure to address the crowd at the Microsoft Theater about the Changes artist (pictured) - who was shot dead at the age of 20 in Florida last week
'I think that needs to happen, and at the risk of sounding old, we can't get used to these types of things.
'I think we're too used to young people being killed, we don't even trip any more.'
Pleading with the crowd to use their music to incite positive change, Jamie asked everyone to pay attention to those who have lost loved ones, and recalled his connection to the murders of iconic 90s rappers Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Jamie continued: 'We've got to adjust our satellite a little bit, we all have to figure out a way to not become too used to what's going on right now, and that's the truth.
Emotional: Jamie asked viewers to pay attention to those who have lost loved ones, and recalled his connection to the murders of iconic rappers Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G
Pleas: Jamie continued: 'We've got to adjust our satellite a little bit, we all have to figure out a way to not become too used to what's going on right now, and that's the truth
'I was actually in Las Vegas when Tupac was killed. I was in LA when Biggie [Smalls] was killed.
'It seems senseless, I'm not saying that we can stop everything, but we've got to figure something out'.
Jamie's dedication comes after TMZ reported that XXXTentacion died knowing that he was going to be a father.
The rapper - who was fatally shot in what police believe was a 'possible robbery' - knew weeks ago that his girlfriend - an unidentified woman - was pregnant.
Dedication: The rapper - who was fatally shot in what police believe was a 'possible robbery' - knew weeks ago that his girlfriend - an unidentified woman - was pregnant
According to the publication, the Instagram of an ultrasound shared by the late rapper's mother Cleopatra Bernard is 'definitely' his girlfriend's.
On Thursday, the mom took to Instagram to share the image as she hinted that the rapper 'left... a final gift' for the world.
The post came as Florida man Dedrick Devonshay William was arrested for the SAD artist's murder.
Rapper Meek Mill also paid his respects to XXXTentacion after wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the artist's face on during his intense performance at the BET Awards.
Paying tribute: Rapper Meek Mill also paid his respects to XXXTentacion after wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the artist's face on during his performance at the BET Awards
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