XXXTentacion: HOPE

“Doesn’t matter if I f-cking die a tragic death or some sh-t. As long as the kids perceive my message and used it and turn it into something positive and are able to make something of themselves” - XXXTentacion

Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion, X, or Jah, was one of the pioneers in the recent growth of rappers coming out of Florida. In 1998, X was born in Plantation, Florida, which is in the south-eastern region of Florida, roughly 30 miles north of Miami.

Calling Jah a troublemaker in his teenage years is quite an understatement. His family struggled with poverty and was raised by both his grandmother and mother due to his family’s financial circumstances. He lived in both Pompano Beach and Lauderhill as a child. When X was just 6 years old, he allegedly attempted to stab a man that was physically attacking his mother and was placed in youth program for violent children before being forced to move in with his grandmother.

Jah’s first interaction with music started when his aunt encouraged him to join both his church and school choir groups. Unfortunately, he was kicked out of the group when he was involved in an aggressive attack on one of his peers. After multiple occasions of fights in his middle school, he was eventually expelled from Margate Middle School and started attending Sheridan House Family Ministries.

X then attended Piper High School for two years until he dropped out in his sophomore year. The following summer, X began working on his craft in music. X's first ever snippet came from a freestyle that June, titled, “News/Flock.” Soon after, Jah was sentenced to serve in juvenile detention for unregistered gun possession. X was reportedly very respectful during his time in detention and would even protect certain peers from other inmates. However, he later assaulted another inmate in jail because he was homosexual and acting “suspicious” as he said.

While in juvie, X befriended somebody by the name of Stokeley Clevon Goulborne, better known today as Florida rapper, Ski Mask The Slump God. While in detention they would freestyle and share rhymes with one another to pass the time. After the two rappers were released from juvie, they met up again and both purchased recording equipment and started putting out music.

XXXTentacion’s first song under his rap alias was released on SoundCloud titled, “Vice City.” Ski Mask and X were in two different rap groups in the Miami are called “Very Rare” and “Members Only.” Members Only consisted of a large group of underground Miami rappers. They have released four separate projects over a four year span.

In 2016 Jah’s music career started to pick up a small national following due his popularity on SoundCloud. Jah quit his job and ended up moving into the home of another Miami rapper named Denzel Curry, who like Ski and X has had great success in the industry. In July of 2016 Jah was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and assault with a bail set at $10,000 which he paid and was released. Unfortunately, X was arrested again in October on charges of false imprisonment, witness tampering, and aggravated battery of a pregnant victim.

X was locked up until April 18th, 2017, putting a hold on the release of his planned albums. While in jail, his estate re-released his single “Look at Me” which picked up major momentum, building a fan base while he was locked up. On August 25th, 2017 XXXTentacion released his debut album, “17.” The album sold 86,000 units first week and debuted at No.2 on the US Billboard 200.

Jah’s music continued to grow as he continued dropping singles on SoundCloud and other free streaming services. In the summer of 2017 XXXTentacion was named to the XXL Freshman list, which is a list of the most promising up and coming rappers of that annual edition of the magazine. This only greatened X’s following and his music considered to grow across the nation.

After touring the nation for his debut album, he started working on his second album, “?” The album was released on March 16th, 2018. The album featured 18 songs in total. “?” debuted at #1 in the country on the US Billboard 200, selling 131,000 units in the first week.

X was known to be controversial artist, with a love or hate kind of following. A lot of people viewed him as a bad person due to his past actions. He had domestic abuse history, as well as violence, gun possession, and robbery in his past. Many people did not support him as an artist.

On the other hand there were a lot that supported his effort to change into a better person. Many artists have spoken about how much he helped them with their mental health issues. Jah struggled with depression his whole life and it reflects clearly in his music, as it is either fueled by anger, pain and/or sadness. X dedicated most of the back end of his career to use his platform as a way to help others deal with their issues regarding mental illness, to both his fans and other artists dealing with the same struggles.

He started a movement called the #HELPINGHANDCHALLENGE in 2018 where he would donate musical instruments, toys, video game consoles and other gifts to children that were in foster homes. He would do local charity events like free concerts where all proceeds went towards a cause.

Jah looked like he was turning the corner into a better life. One where he was happy and he was making others happy. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy was shot and killed in Deerfield Beach on June 18th, 2018, after shopping for motorcycles. He was home for a charity concert when somebody robbed and shot him while he was at a stop sign. X had died before the first responders showed up.

There were mixed reactions to his death. There was a level of shock value around the globe. Another artist gone too soon, and one that seemed like he was trying to make the world a better place despite his past. X was just 21 years old. But his legacy lives on.