XXXTentacion was a rapper, singer, songwriter, and a controversial figure in the music industry. He was born on January 23, 1998, and died on June 18, 2018, at the age of 20. He was shot and killed in a robbery outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. ¹²
If he were alive today, he would be 24 years old in 2022. He would have celebrated his 25th birthday on January 23, 2023. ³
Who Was XXXTentacion?
XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter who rose to fame with his SoundCloud rap and emo rap music. He was known for his musical versatility, exploring genres such as trap, lo-fi, indie rock, nu metal, hip hop, R&B, and punk rock. He is considered to be a leading figure in the emo rap and SoundCloud rap genres, which gained mainstream attention during the mid-to-late 2010s. ²
He started his music career in 2013 after being released from a juvenile detention center. He released his first EP, The Fall, in 2014, followed by several mixtapes and singles. His breakthrough came with the single “Look at Me”, which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. He then released his debut album, 17, which reached number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple-platinum in the US. His second album, ?, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified quintuple-platinum in the US. His most popular song, “Sad!”, posthumously reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Diamond by the RIAA in August 2021. ²⁴
What Was XXXTentacion’s Controversy?
XXXTentacion had a troubled life and faced various legal issues throughout his lifetime. He was arrested several times for charges such as robbery, assault, false imprisonment, witness tampering, and aggravated battery of his pregnant girlfriend. He also had feuds with other rappers such as Drake, Migos, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Rob Stone. He was accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala, who claimed that he abused her physically and emotionally for months. He denied the allegations and maintained his innocence until his death. ²
He also faced criticism for his controversial lyrics and behavior. He often expressed suicidal thoughts and depression in his songs and social media posts. He also sparked outrage for his music video for “Look at Me”, which depicted him lynching a white child as a protest against racism and police brutality. He also made controversial statements about religion, sexuality, feminism, and politics. He was banned from Spotify’s playlists in 2018 due to their hateful conduct policy but was reinstated after backlash from fans and industry figures. ²
What Is XXXTentacion’s Legacy?
Despite his controversy and short-lived career, XXXTentacion has left a lasting impact on the music industry and culture. He has influenced many artists such as Billie Eilish, Juice WRLD, Lil Nas X, Trippie Redd, Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and more. He has also inspired millions of fans around the world with his music and message of hope and positivity. He has received several awards and honors posthumously such as the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album for ?, the BET Hip Hop Award for Best New Hip Hop Artist ,and the Billboard Music Award for Top R&B Album for ?. He has also been featured on several posthumous collaborations with artists such as Lil Wayne ,Maluma ,Lil Pump ,Swae Lee ,and more. ²
He also had a son named Gekyume Onfroy with his girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez ,who was born seven months after his death. Gekyume means “a different state” or “next universe of thought” in a word that XXXTentacion created himself. His son is now three years old and resembles his father a lot according to Sanchez .She also said that XXXTentacion had planned to be a good father to his son and wanted to change his life for the better.
XXXTentacion was a complex and controversial figure who lived a short but impactful life. He was a talented and versatile artist who touched many people with his music and personality. He was also a troubled and violent person who faced many challenges and enemies in his life. He was loved by many and hated by some. He was a legend and a villain. He was XXXTentacion.
¹: According to National Today
²: According to Wikipedia
³: According to My Age Calculator
⁴: According to The Wealth Record
: According to The Sun.