A popular Tunisian rapper has illegally emigrated to Italy amid a deepening economic crisis in the North African country.

Junior Hassen, whose songs have been viewed close to 15 million times on YouTube, made the potentially deadly boat crossing to Sicily last week.

News outlet Mosaique FM said the rapper had reached the southern Italian city of Palermo after travelling with a group of migrants from his hometown, Sousse.

Social media users have circulated footage that they believe shows Hassen, real name Hassen Sassi, crossing the Mediterranean on a small boat with other Tunisian migrants. But the footage has not been independently verified.

Tunisia's dire economic crisis has pushed many people to take desperate measures in hopes of better lives abroad. Earlier this year, a Tunisian football club suspended its activities after 32 of its players emigrated to Europe.

Tunisia has become the main departure point for African migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Tunisians in growing numbers have also opted for sea journeys on the world's deadliest migration route.