Mourners flock to Twitter in tribute to deceased rapper

Dolla's Twitter account has steadily gained followers since the incident, many of whom are using the website to pay their last respects.

"RIP Dolla" soon became one of Twitter's trending topics after the news broke out across the web.

His followers have flooded the website with posts about the fundraising efforts for the funeral.

After setting up his account, Dolla sent out only two Tweets before he died, which read: "About to try out this twitter thing" and "checc my page out too, www.myspace.com/dolla".

Thirty minutes later, the rapper, real name Roderick Anthony Burton, along with his friend and fellow rap artist DJ Shabazz, engaged in a verbal confrontation outside a Beverly Hills shopping mall, where Dolla was fatally shot.

A man matching the assailant's description was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department after being found at the LAX airport with a handgun.

The 21-year-old was in Los Angeles recording his debut album 'A Dolla and a Dream', due for release this summer.

Dolla entered the music scene at age 12, part of the group Da Razkals Cru, who were promoted by big name acts Missy Elliott and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

In 2003, Dolla met rapper and producer Akon, who signed up on his Konvict Muzik record label.

His first single, 'Who The Fuck Is That' featuring T-Pain, reached number 42 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop charts and number 82 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.

His song 'Feelin' Myself" was featured on the soundtrack to the film 'Step Up', which was followed by a number of radio singles, including 'I'm Fucked Up' and 'Make a Toast'.