In the ever-evolving world of hip-hop, few artists have left as profound and polarizing an impact as XXXTentacion. Born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy on January 23, 1998, in Plantation, Florida, XXXTentacion—often stylized as X or simply X—rose from the underground SoundCloud scene to global stardom in just a few short years. His raw, emotionally charged music blended emo, trap, punk, and lo-fi elements, resonating with a generation grappling with mental health struggles, alienation, and despair. But his life was equally marked by controversy, legal troubles, and a shocking end that cemented his status as a tragic figure in modern music history.
This XXXTentacion biography explores his early life, meteoric career, musical innovations, controversies, untimely death, and enduring legacy. Whether you’re a longtime fan searching for “XXXTentacion facts” or discovering his story for the first time, dive into the complex tale of a rapper who redefined emo rap and SoundCloud rap while battling personal demons.
Early Life: A Childhood Shaped by Trauma and Resilience
XXXTentacion’s journey began in a challenging environment that would profoundly influence his art. Born to Jamaican parents Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy and Cleopatra Eretha Dreena Bernard, Jahseh was named after Bob Marley’s song “So Jah Seh,” reflecting his family’s Rastafarian roots. He also claimed Syrian, Indian, and possibly Italian ancestry in a 2017 interview. Standing at just 5’6″, Onfroy was born with a ventricular septal defect—a “hole in the heart” condition—that added to his early health struggles.
Raised primarily by his grandmother, Collette Jones, in Pompano Beach and Lauderhill, Florida, due to his mother’s financial and personal difficulties, XXXTentacion’s childhood was far from stable. His parents separated early, and his mother battled drug addiction and abusive relationships. By age six, he witnessed severe trauma, including an attempt to stab a man attacking his mother, his uncle’s suicide by hanging, and experiences of [removed] abuse and physical torture. These events haunted him, fueling the dark themes in his lyrics about depression, insecurity, and violence.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a child, Onfroy attended Sheridan House Family Ministries, a youth program, where he discovered music through choir and began learning piano and guitar. Influenced by nu-metal, hard rock, and rap artists like Kurt Cobain, Tupac Shakur, and Coldplay, he dropped out of Piper High School in the tenth grade after multiple expulsions for fights. His father was imprisoned for nine years on RICO charges in 2008 and deported to Jamaica in 2016, leaving young Jahseh navigating life without much parental guidance. Despite the hardships, music became his outlet, setting the stage for his explosive entry into the rap world.
Career Beginnings: From Juvenile Detention to SoundCloud Stardom
XXXTentacion’s music career ignited in 2013 after his release from a juvenile detention center, where he met Stokeley Goulbourne, better known as Ski Mask the Slump God. The two bonded over freestyling and formed a creative partnership that would launch their careers. Adopting the stage name XXXTentacion—meaning “temptation” in Spanish—Onfroy uploaded his first track, “News/Flock,” to SoundCloud in June 2013. This marked the start of his raw, unpolished sound that would captivate underground listeners.
In 2014, he released his debut mixtape [removed] (Unmastered) on March 5, followed by EPs like E.motion and The Fall. He formed the influential collective Members Only, releasing collaborative projects such as Members Only, Vol. 1 with Ski Mask. These early works experimented with lo-fi beats, harsh 808s, and distortion, drawing from emo and grunge influences. By 2015, tracks like “Vice City” gained traction, and he quit a call center job to focus on music full-time, moving in with rapper Denzel Curry.
A pivotal moment came on December 31, 2015, with the upload of “Look at Me!” While incarcerated in 2016 for robbery and assault charges, the single exploded on SoundCloud, peaking at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. Accusations flew that Drake had bitten its flow for his track “KMT,” sparking a high-profile feud that boosted X’s visibility. Released from prison on April 18, 2017, XXXTentacion signed with Empire Distribution and announced his “Revenge Tour,” which, despite violent incidents, solidified his rising fame. He was named to XXL’s 2017 Freshman Class, a rite of passage for hip-hop newcomers.
Rise to Fame: Albums, Hits, and Musical Breakthroughs
XXXTentacion’s ascent was lightning-fast. In May 2017, he dropped the mixtape Revenge, followed by Members Only, Vol. 3 in June. His debut studio album, 17, arrived on August 25, 2017, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 86,000 equivalent units. Tracks like “Jocelyn Flores” and “Revenge” delved into heartbreak and loss, earning praise for their vulnerability. He briefly signed a $6 million deal with Capitol Music Group’s Caroline in October 2017 but terminated it days later, announcing a retirement that lasted only weeks.
By 2018, X was a household name. He launched the #HELPINGHANDCHALLENGE on YouTube to encourage positivity and released singles like “Hope,” dedicated to victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. His second album, ?, dropped on March 16, 2018, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Featuring eclectic sounds from R&B to punk, it included the hit “Sad!,” which posthumously reached No. 1 on the Hot 100. XXXTentacion’s versatility—mixing emo rap, trap metal, indie rock, and nu metal—made him a pioneer of the SoundCloud rap wave, influencing artists like Juice Wrld and Lil Uzi Vert.
Posthumous releases continued his momentum: Skins (December 2018, No. 1 on Billboard 200), Bad Vibes Forever (December 2019, featuring collaborations with Lil Wayne and Kanye West), and Members Only, Vol. 4 (2019). By 2021, “Sad!” had amassed 1.3 billion YouTube views and 1.7 billion Spotify streams, earning Diamond certification for 10 million units sold.
Musical Style and Achievements: Redefining Hip-Hop with Emotional Rawness
What set XXXTentacion apart was his genre-blending innovation. Unlike traditional rap’s focus on bravado, his music tackled mental illness, suicide, and trauma head-on, using unconventional techniques like heavy guitar riffs, distortion, and lo-fi production. Inspired by third-wave emo and grunge, he created a sound that felt intimate and chaotic, appealing to Gen Z and millennial listeners feeling isolated in the digital age.
His achievements were staggering for such a short career: Over 61 million certified units sold in the US and 7 million in the UK by 2025, totaling 68 million worldwide. Posthumously, he won Best New Hip Hop Artist at the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards and Favorite Album – Soul/R&B for 17 at the 2018 American Music Awards, plus 11 Billboard Music Award nominations. Tracks appeared in films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and his influence looms in artists like Kanye West, who tweeted about his inspiration in 2018. XXXTentacion’s discography, including two studio albums and multiple EPs/mixtapes, remains a cornerstone of emo rap’s evolution.
Controversies and Legal Issues: The Dark Side of a Rising Star
No XXXTentacion biography is complete without addressing the shadows that plagued his fame. His life was riddled with legal troubles, starting with juvenile detention for home invasions and assaults. In 2016, he faced battery charges after allegedly robbing and assaulting two men, leading to his imprisonment during “Look at Me!”‘s breakout.
The most damaging allegations came from his ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, who accused him of severe domestic abuse in 2016, including beatings while she was pregnant. Court documents detailed graphic violence, and XXXTentacion was charged but never convicted before his death; he denied the claims and never publicly expressed remorse, though friends recalled private moments of regret. His music videos, like one for “Look at Me!” depicting a lynching scene, drew backlash for glorifying violence.
Public feuds, including with Drake and Rob Stone, and onstage assaults during his tour further tarnished his image. In May 2018, Spotify removed him from playlists under a “hateful conduct” policy but reversed it amid outcry. Critics like The Guardian labeled him a symbol of unchecked brutality, while supporters argued his youth and trauma explained his actions.
Tragic Death: A Life Cut Short at 20
On June 18, 2018—just three days after his 20th birthday—XXXTentacion was fatally shot in a robbery outside a Deerfield Beach, Florida, motorcycle dealership. Attackers in a dark SUV stole his Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash before fleeing. Four suspects were arrested; three were convicted of first-degree murder in March 2023 after a high-profile trial.
His death sent shockwaves through the music world, with tributes from Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and Diplo. Seven months later, on January 27, 2019, his son Gekyume Onfroy was born to Jenesis Sanchez, named after a term X coined meaning “a higher plane of existence.” Gekyume symbolizes the continuation of his bloodline.
Legacy: Redemption, Controversy, and Enduring Influence
XXXTentacion’s legacy is as divisive as his music was revolutionary. To fans, he was a voice for the voiceless, offering solace to those battling depression—polls from 2022 show 41% of Americans viewing him positively, especially among younger generations. His estate, managed by his mother, has released documentaries like Look at Me: XXXTentacion (2022) and In His Own Words (2022), highlighting his growth and potential for redemption. Journalist Jonathan Reiss, in his 2020 biography, argues X’s final year showed signs of change, emphasizing second chances.
Critics, however, focus on the harm he caused, with outlets like The Atlantic and The Washington Post decrying how his art validated violence while erasing victims’ pain. Yet, his influence persists: He popularized emo rap, inspired posthumous collabs, and amassed billions of streams. As of 2025, his story prompts vital discussions on separating art from artist, mental health in hip-hop, and the internet’s role in fame.
In the end, XXXTentacion’s brief life encapsulated the highs and lows of modern stardom—a reminder that behind the beats and headlines was a young man seeking connection in a chaotic world. His music continues to stream, debate, and inspire, proving that even in tragedy, his voice endures. What are your thoughts on XXXTentacion’s impact? Share in the comments below! For More updates on albums you can visit Albumsguide.com
