Discover the career path of XXXTentacion, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was a prominent American rapper and singer-songwriter. Despite controversies surrounding his legal issues, he cultivated a dedicated young fan base through his music, characterized by themes of depression and alienation. Known for his musical versatility, XXXTentacion's work spanned genres including emo, trap, indie rock, and punk rock. He is recognized as a key figure in the development of emo rap and SoundCloud rap, genres that achieved mainstream popularity in the late 2010s, solidifying his impact on contemporary music.
June 2013: Release of "News/Flock"
In June 2013, XXXTentacion's career as a music artist began after the release of his song "News/Flock".
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2013: Music Career Start
In 2013, XXXTentacion started his music career on SoundCloud after being released from a juvenile detention center, utilizing unconventional styles and techniques inspired by emo and grunge.
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2013: Post-Detention Reunion with Goulbourne
In 2013, following his release from juvenile detention, XXXTentacion reunited with Stokeley Goulbourne with intentions of committing home invasions, but he chose to pursue music instead.
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March 5, 2014: Release of "Vice City" and XXX (Unmastered)
On March 5, 2014, XXXTentacion uploaded his first non-deleted song, "Vice City", on SoundCloud and released his debut mixtape XXX (Unmastered).
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April 30, 2014: Release of E.motion and XXX EPs
On April 30, 2014, XXXTentacion released his two firsts officials extended plays (EPs), called E.motion and XXX, alongside the original version of the song "Ecstasy".
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July 11, 2014: Unfinished Release of The Nobody's EP
On July 11, 2014, an unfinished version of The Nobody's EP was released but quickly removed.
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November 21, 2014: Release of The Fall EP
On November 21, 2014, The Fall EP was released.
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2014: Formation of Members Only
In 2014, XXXTentacion formed the underground collective Members Only, becoming a popular figure in SoundCloud rap.
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June 22, 2015: XXXTentacion begins using his YouTube channel for gaming videos and vlogs
On June 22, 2015, XXXTentacion began using his YouTube channel, previously used for music, to upload gaming videos and vlogs, expanding his content creation.
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2015: Look at Me and Riot Release
In 2015 XXXTentacion released the songs "Look at Me" and "Riot".
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2015: Joining Very Rare and Starting Members Only
In 2015, XXXTentacion joined Ski Mask the Slump God's group Very Rare before breaking off and starting the Members Only collective.
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December 31, 2015: Upload of "Look at Me"
On December 31, 2015, the original version of "Look at Me" was uploaded to SoundCloud.
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April 28, 2016: Release of Willy Wonka Was a Child Murderer EP
On April 28, 2016, XXXTentacion released the EP Willy Wonka Was a Child Murderer, which had music heavily inspired by heavy metal and indie music.
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October 31, 2016: Delayed Bad Vibes Forever Album
On October 31, 2016, XXXTentacion's debut independent album, Bad Vibes Forever, was slated for release but was delayed due to his arrest.
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2016: Tablez Managed XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump God
In 2016, Dylan Turner, known as Tablez, managed XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump God. Tablez's payment was agreed to be proceeds from the song "Look at Me!" due to inexperience.
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2016: Political views during 2016 election
In 2016, XXXTentacion expressed his political views during the presidential election, opposing Donald Trump and signaling support for Bernie Sanders. He predicted Trump's victory and voiced concerns about the impact on minorities and the lower classes.
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March 18, 2017: Drake releases "More Life" mixtape including "KMT"
On March 18, 2017, Drake released his mixtape More Life, which included the song "KMT". This release preceded XXXTentacion's subsequent criticisms and online exchanges with Drake.
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April 2017: Opposition to missile strike on Syria
In April 2017, XXXTentacion voiced his opposition to President Trump's decision to launch a missile strike on Syria.
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April 18, 2017: Release from Prison
On April 18, 2017, XXXTentacion was released from prison and subsequently released three more songs on SoundCloud.
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April 28, 2017: Announcement of "The Revenge Tour"
On April 28, 2017, XXXTentacion announced his first nationwide tour titled "The Revenge Tour".
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May 16, 2017: Release of Revenge Mixtape
On May 16, 2017, XXXTentacion released his debut commercial solo mixtape, Revenge, which consisted of eight previously released songs.
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June 24, 2017: Cancellation of "The Revenge Tour"
On June 24, 2017, XXXTentacion announced the cancellation of the rest of "The Revenge Tour" dates due to his cousin being shot.
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June 26, 2017: Release of Members Only, Vol. 3
On June 26, 2017, the collaborative mixtape, Members Only, Vol. 3, with Members Only, was released.
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August 9, 2017: Opening for Kendrick Lamar
On August 9, 2017, XXXTentacion was brought out by DRAM at a concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during Kendrick Lamar's Damn Tour, marking his first time opening for a major act.
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August 25, 2017: Release of Debut Album "17"
On August 25, 2017, XXXTentacion released his debut album, 17, which debuted at number 2 on the US Billboard 200.
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September 3, 2017: Announcement of Bad Vibes Forever Production
On September 3, 2017, XXXTentacion announced that Bad Vibes Forever, his second album, was still in production.
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September 12, 2017: Music Video Release for "Look at Me" and "Riot"
On September 12, 2017, XXXTentacion released his first official music video for his 2015 song "Look at Me", as well as sharing a music video with his 2015 song "Riot".
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September 22, 2017: Noah Cyrus releases "Again" featuring XXXTentacion
On September 22, 2017, Noah Cyrus released her single "Again", which featured vocals by XXXTentacion.
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October 19, 2017: Distribution Deal with Caroline
On October 19, 2017, XXXTentacion's label, Bad Vibes Forever, signed a distribution deal with Capitol Music Group subsidiary, Caroline.
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October 25, 2017: Termination of Caroline Contract
On October 25, 2017, XXXTentacion announced he was terminating his contract with Caroline.
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October 27, 2017: XXXTentacion announces retirement from music
On October 27, 2017, XXXTentacion announced his retirement from producing music. He then stated on Instagram that he would make music again if Ski Mask the Slump God would become his friend again.
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October 30, 2017: XXXTentacion announces he will make music again if Ski Mask the Slump God becomes his friend again
On October 30, 2017, XXXTentacion stated he would return to making music only if Ski Mask the Slump God, a fellow rapper from Broward and his "former best friend", would become his friend again. He also responded to a fan on Instagram Live about his previous retirement announcement, clarifying he was quitting for an indefinite period.
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November 2, 2017: XXXTentacion previews new music
On November 2, 2017, XXXTentacion previewed new music, hinting at a return to creating music after a brief retirement announcement.
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November 2017: Purchased Parkland Mansion
In November 2017, XXXTentacion purchased a 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) mansion in Parkland for US$1.4 million.
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November 17, 2017: XXXTentacion announces Bad Vibes Forever album
On November 17, 2017, XXXTentacion announced his album Bad Vibes Forever, describing it as a mix of genres intended for his core fanbase and sharing its name with his label.
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December 11, 2017: XXXTentacion releases A Ghetto Christmas Carol EP
On December 11, 2017, XXXTentacion released his tenth EP, A Ghetto Christmas Carol, on SoundCloud.
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2017: "Look at Me" Success
In 2017, "Look at Me" gained traction, peaking at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This helped him gain more popularity and public attention.
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2017: Debut Album "17" Release
In 2017, XXXTentacion released his debut album '17', which reached number two on the Billboard 200 and is certified triple-platinum in the US.
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2017: XXL Freshman Class Selection
In 2017, XXXTentacion was named as the tenth pick on XXL's "2017 Freshman Class".
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2017: Frustration over Eric Garner case
In a 2017 interview, XXXTentacion expressed frustration that the officer who killed Eric Garner was not arrested.
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January 22, 2018: XXXTentacion announces collaboration project with Joey Badass
On January 22, 2018, XXXTentacion announced on Instagram that he and Joey Badass were creating a project together.
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February 21, 2018: XXXTentacion releases "Hope" dedicated to Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victims
On February 21, 2018, XXXTentacion released the song "Hope" on SoundCloud, as a dedication to the victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.
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March 2, 2018: XXXTentacion announces release of two singles
On March 2, 2018, XXXTentacion announced the midnight release of two songs, which would be the first singles from his second album, ?.
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March 9, 2018: XXXTentacion and Joey Badass release "King's Dead" freestyle
On March 9, 2018, XXXTentacion and Joey Badass released a freestyle to the song "King's Dead" on SoundCloud to promote their upcoming collaboration.
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March 12, 2018: XXXTentacion announces release date and track list for album "?"
On March 12, 2018, XXXTentacion announced the release date and 18-track listing for his second studio album, ?, which featured collaborations with Joey Bada$$, Travis Barker, and PnB Rock.
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March 16, 2018: XXXTentacion's album "?" debuts at number one on Billboard 200
On March 16, 2018, XXXTentacion's album ? was released and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
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May 10, 2018: Spotify Stops Promoting XXXTentacion's Music
On May 10, 2018, Spotify announced it would no longer promote or recommend music by XXXTentacion, Tay-K, and R. Kelly, citing a desire for editorial decisions to reflect their values. This decision was later reversed after pressure from Top Dawg Entertainment.
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September 27, 2018: Kanye West and Lil Wayne announce collaborations with XXXTentacion
On September 27, 2018, Kanye West announced that XXXTentacion would have been a featured artist on his cancelled ninth studio album, Yandhi. The same day, it was reported that XXXTentacion would also be featured on Lil Wayne's twelfth album, Tha Carter V.
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October 22, 2018: XXXTentacion's manager states that his third album will come "very soon"
On October 22, 2018, XXXTentacion's manager Soloman Sobande stated in an interview with Billboard that his third album would come "very soon" and that he had more than two album's worth of material.
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2018: Album "?" Debut and "Sad!" Success
In 2018, XXXTentacion's second album '?' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and is certified quintuple-platinum. His single "Sad!" posthumously reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
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2018: Reversed stance on gun control
In 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, XXXTentacion reversed his stance on gun control. He then held multiple charity events for the March for Our Lives movement and visited Parkland survivor Anthony Borges in the hospital.
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June 1, 2020: XXXTentacion's song "Riot" re-released
On June 1, 2020, XXXTentacion's song "Riot" was re-released onto streaming services to raise awareness about the protests following George Floyd's murder.
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October 2020: Digital sales
As of October 2020, XXXTentacion was one of the top-20 best-selling artists in terms of digital singles, with a total of 49 million RIAA-certified digital sales.
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May 10, 2021: XXXTentacion becomes first artist to posthumously release music as NFTs
On May 10, 2021, XXXTentacion became the first artist to posthumously release music as NFTs, featuring five scrapped SoundCloud songs.
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August 2021: "Sad!" certified Diamond
In August 2021, XXXTentacion's single, "Sad!", was certified Diamond in the US.
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August 2021: "Sad!" Certified Diamond
In August 2021, XXXTentacion's song "Sad!" was certified Diamond by the RIAA.
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November 2021: Posthumous collaboration between XXXTentacion and Juice Wrld in the works
In November 2021, XXXTentacion's manager, Solomon Sobande, announced a posthumous collaboration between XXXTentacion and the late Juice Wrld was in development.
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February 2024: "Sad!" Streaming Numbers
By February 2024, XXXTentacion's song "Sad!" had amassed significant streaming numbers, including over 1.2 billion views on YouTube and 2.1 billion streams on Spotify.
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