A Givealittle page to help bring home the body of New Zealand rapper Louie Knuxx has surpassed $25,000.
The 42-year-old hip-hop artist - whose real name is Todd Williams - died in Melbourne on Friday. Since then, there's been an outpouring of grief from Aotearoa's music community over his loss.
His friends and family have set up a Givealittle to help raise money to bring his body home and cover the cost of his funeral. Over $25,000 has been raised in less than four hours.
"Todd was one of the most inspiring, kind and hilarious people you'll ever meet," the fundraising page says.
"Though he was best known for his music, in recent years he'd devoted himself to youth work, helping rangatahi who had been forgotten by society."
In an update after the page reached its fundraising goal, the family said they were greatly appreciative.
"It's really humbling and speaks to the amount of aroha everyone had for Todd."
After his death was announced, many of those in New Zealand's music industry shared their sadness.
"OMFG I can't believe it. Our bro is gone," DJ Sir-Vere tweeted.
"One of a kind. Seriously - ONE OF A KIND. There is no one like him and won't be. F**k."
Rapper and producer Mazbou Q sent his thoughts to those who are heavily mourning his death.
"I didn't know Louie Knuxx, but I feel a duty to pay my respects to those who went before me in NZ hip-hop. Especially someone who was clearly loved and adored by many, and whose loss has left my entire community in grief," he tweeted.
The rapper's brother Matthew Williams told Stuff the death has been referred to the coroner.
