US rapper Lil Marlo has been shot dead while driving in Atlanta, his record label Quality Control Music has said. 

Atlanta police believe Marlo, real name Rudolph Johnson, was the victim of a targeted attack. 

Officers responded to a single-car wreck on Interstate 285 in Atlanta late on Saturday night, where they found Marlo dead inside the vehicle.

Police identified him as 30 years old, but the record label said he was born in 1993, which would make him 27.

Atlanta Police Department said in a statement: “At this time, investigators believe the victim was the intended target of the gunfire and they are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.”

Marlo joined the record label in 2017 and was expected to be a big star in the music industry. 

He released a single in 2017 called ‘9+Z6ne=1’5’ and has also worked with rappers Lil Baby, Future and Gucci Mane. 

Chief Executive of Quality Control Music Pierre Thomas said: “So Much Potential That The World Didn't Get A Chance To See. Love You Bro. It's Really Hard For Me To Say RIP.”

Fellow rapper Lil Yachty said on Instagram: “We just did a song a 4 this morning smh rip brother.”

Theophilus London commented: “Damn. Sorry for you lost bro. Love.”