Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, whose stage name was XXXTentacion, had a monumental impact on the music industry, which was cut short after his untimely death in 2018.
However, he left behind a multi-generational fan base that has kept his memory alive.
Before his death, XXXTentacion was an accomplished artist who inspired millions of people.
This post delves into some of the best XXXTentacion songs of all time.
1. Revenge
XXXTentacion’s debut studio album featured “Revenge” as its lead single, which was previewed on Twitter.
Tragically, the preview occurred five days before the passing of X’s friend Jocelyn Flores.
XXXTentacion dedicated the song to her memory, and the brand Revenge drew inspiration from the track.
“Revenge” was ranked #77 on the Hot 100 and #37 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.
Although XXXTentacion is primarily known as a rapper, “Revenge” showcases his versatility as an artist with a more conventional song structure.
Throughout the song, the artist harmonizes with somewhat melancholic lyrics that contrast with the upbeat tone of the music.
2. R.I.P. Roach
This track was initially released by Ski Mask the Slump God In May 2016.
However, the song was later rereleased on X’s debut commercial mixtape Revenge featuring Ski.
Roach was one of XXXTentacion’s close friends who was murdered in 2016.
His intense screaming vocals contrasted well with Ski’s smoother and more relaxed style, resulting in a surprisingly effective collaboration.
Despite their falling out in 2017, this track marked the last time the two artists worked together.
3. Hope
XXXTentacion released “Hope” in honor of the Parkland shooting victims.
Although XXXTentacion says he doesn’t fully comprehend the survivors’ emotions in the song, he attempts to empathize with them through the lens of survivor’s guilt and condemns the political inaction that followed the tragedy.
The track reached #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
While most of X’s catalog is characterized by despair and solitude, “Hope” conveys a clear sense of optimism, serving more as an emotional release than a dwelling on negative emotions.
4. Numb
XXXTentacion’s music is heavily focused on emotional detachment or attempts at achieving it.
His songs serve as both an emotional outlet and a barrier against pain.
The idea of being numb is a central theme in his music, particularly his track, “Numb,” which holds significant personal meaning to him.
He had a tattoo of the word “numb” under one of his eyes to symbolize a period in his life when he experienced a complete lack of emotion and was disconnected from the world.
5. Look At Me!
Initially, a sleeper hit on SoundCloud, “Look At Me!” gained significant popularity as a digital download, becoming the lead single from his debut commercial mixtape Revenge.
Its success led to it being certified platinum by the RIAA.
The song also earned a spot on Billboard’s 100 Songs That Defined The 2010s and peaked at
334 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, with over 470 million views on YouTube.
It remained on the chart for 20 weeks, making it one of XXXTentacion’s longest-charting songs.
6. King of the Dead
“King of the Dead” is a hard-hitting track that showcases heavy distortion and drops, which mirrors the distortion and confusion that XXXTentacion experienced in his personal life.
The eerie tone of the song aligns with its underlying message, which was essentially a declaration of suicidal thoughts by the artist.
XXXTentacion’s intention behind the song was to convey that he was aware of his emotions and didn’t want any help when it came to dealing with them.
The track’s title is a reference to The Weeknd’s “King of the Fall”, a musician that XXXTentacion openly admired and often mentioned on social media.
7. A Ghetto Christmas Carol
XXXTentacion released “A Ghetto Christmas Carol” as an EP, with the title track being the opening song.
This release stands out from his usual music, as it largely focuses on the positive aspects of his life and what brings him joy.
In contrast to the emotional themes explored in his album, 17, “A Ghetto Christmas Carol” is much lighter and upbeat, showcasing another side of XXXTentacion’s artistry.
Although this song is Christmas-themed, it embodies his signature style by mentioning attractive women, luxury cars, and financial success.
If you’re looking for a holiday tune from XXXTentacion, this track is worth a listen, but it also offers a unique vibe that deviates from his typical music style.
8. Save Me
In contrast to “King of the Dead,” where XXXTentacion made it clear that he didn’t want any assistance, “Save Me” takes a different approach by asking listeners for space to deal with the problems he’s facing.
Although the song doesn’t necessarily seek emotional support or a shoulder to lean on, it conveys a sense of desperation, as seen in lyrics such as “Voices in my head/Telling me I’m gonna end up dead” and “Tell me when the fuck is it all gon’ end.”
It’s one of XXXTentacion’s most emotionally charged tracks, highlighting the struggles he was going through at the time.
9. Going Down!
“Going Down” marks a return to the playful and offbeat side of XXXTentacion’s music that was reminiscent of his collaborations with Ski Mask the Slump God.
The song’s catchy hook and overall upbeat instrumentation steer clear of the somber and eerie tone found in many of his other tracks.
Essentially, the song describes his sexual encounters and boasts about his prowess in bed.
However, with lyrics such as “Not sure I’d want a Viking beating it up, though, cause, in reality, you’d probably die instead of enjoy it,” it’s uncertain whether listeners should take these claims seriously.
10. Falling Down
“Falling Down” was released posthumously on Lil Peep’s second studio album and had an interesting backstory.
Originally intended for Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen, XXXTentacion discovered a snippet online and contributed a verse to the track, which earned him a writing credit on the final version.
It achieved great success, peaking at #13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Peep’s highest-charting single.
The track was also certified triple platinum by the RIAA.
However, due to XXXTentacion’s homophobic content in his verse, the song may not be appealing to all listeners, despite being one of his best songs.
11. Hate Will Never Win
The release of “Hate Will Never Win” aimed to confront the escalating hatred in the US following Donald Trump’s presidential election.
XXXTentacion’s music video, which included a depiction of lynching a child, received criticism along with the political climate at the time.
However, the disturbing visuals were intended to add shock value to the audience and emphasize the song’s message.
Notably, the song incorporates speeches from Trump himself as a sampling element, adding depth to the overall complex piece.
12. Riot
XXXTentacion didn’t hold back from addressing traumatic and horrific events, which is clear with some of his songs dedicated to some awful incidents.
“Riot” was inspired by the death of Michael Brown and it’s his take on police brutality and the killing of African Americans in the US.
The track not only criticizes police officers who misuse their power but also those who participate in rioting, particularly those who take advantage of the chaos to loot local businesses.
In this song, XXXTentacion encourages people to express their emotions in a non-violent manner.
13. Moonlight
“Moonlight” was released after XXXTentacion’s death and was the third single on his second album, ?.
The song was a global success, reaching the peak position of #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified platinum in the US.
In terms of chart performance, “Moonlight” is tied with “Falling Down” as XXXTentacion’s third-highest charting song in the US.
The song features a unique beat filled with playful synths and an unrestrained flow.
Its music video was the last recorded by XXXTentacion before his death and became a viral sensation on YouTube.
14. The Remedy for a Broken Heart
Given that a significant portion of the 17 albums was focused on Geneva Ayala, XXXTentacion’s former girlfriend, it is not surprising that this particular song also centers around her.
The album’s outro is even named after her.
Interestingly, the song uses XXXTentacion’s own vocals as a sample and is accompanied by his signature simple instrumentation.
This song evokes intense emotions in many fans, who have reported using the song to navigate difficult periods in their lives.
As with much of his work, the pain conveyed in this song is impossible to ignore.
15. True Love
If most people were to speculate on whom XXXTentacion would collaborate with during his career, Kanye West would not have been their first choice.
However, their track “True Love” is still enjoyable even though many critics praised Kanye’s vocals.
The track explores the emotional and relationship struggles both artists faced.
“True Love” peaked at #22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was in the Top 40 in nine other countries.
In 2022, the song was included in XXXTentacion’s compilation album, Look at Me: The Album.
Best XXXTentacion Songs – Final Thoughts
Whether you loved him or not, it’s hard to ignore XXXTentacion’s success in the music industry.
Throughout his music career, XXXTentacion gained a cult following and collaborated with some of the most renowned artists in the world.
XXXTentacion is an artist who was never limited by any genre.
He explored everything, from trap to emo, R&B, and metal.
Although XXXTentacion’s career was cut short following his death in 2018, his music still resonates with millions of his followers.
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