Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to XXXTentacion

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
XXXTentacion

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to XXXTentacion.

Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known as XXXTentacion, was a controversial yet influential American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Despite his short career, he developed a significant cult following, particularly among young fans, for his music centered around themes of depression and alienation. Noted for his musical versatility, XXXTentacion's work spanned genres including emo, trap, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. He is considered a key figure in the rise of emo rap and SoundCloud rap, which gained mainstream popularity in the late 2010s.

2013: Video surfaces of XXXTentacion hitting a girl in 2013

Shortly after being released from house arrest, a Snapchat video surfaced of XXXTentacion hitting a girl, Breonna Starling, in 2013 when he was 15. XXXTentacion's attorneys claimed the video was "obviously . . . in jest".

April 2016: XXXTentacion's Interview with Adam22

In April 2016, XXXTentacion gave an interview to Adam22 where he recounted an incident in a juvenile detention facility involving his gay cellmate. This interview led to accusations of homophobia against him.

October 8, 2016: XXXTentacion's arrest prompts later confession audio release

Around the time of XXXTentacion's October 8, 2016, arrest, he was secretly recorded talking with acquaintances. This audio, released by Pitchfork on October 23, 2018, allegedly contained confessions to domestic violence and a stabbing incident.

October 26, 2016: XXXTentacion's admission of abusing his ex-girlfriend

On October 26, 2016, XXXTentacion admitted in a conversation that he "bashed her face" referring to his ex-girlfriend. He stated he had already achieved his objective of making her look bad on the internet. An audio clip of this conversation was later posted on Instagram.

2016: Battery Charge Controversy

In 2016, XXXTentacion faced battery charges, contributing to the controversies surrounding his life and legacy.

2016: XXXTentacion Expresses Political Views

In 2016, XXXTentacion opposed Donald Trump's presidential candidacy and supported Bernie Sanders. He predicted a Trump victory, expressing concerns about the impact on minorities and lower classes.

2016: Geneva Ayala Accuses XXXTentacion of Domestic Abuse

In 2016, XXXTentacion's ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, accused him of domestic abuse.

January 28, 2017: Drake previews "KMT", sparking comparisons to XXXTentacion

On January 28, 2017, Drake previewed a new track titled "KMT", which was quickly compared to XXXTentacion's song "Look at Me" due to the similar triplet-heavy flow. It was also noted that Drake followed XXXTentacion on Twitter.

Loading Video...

March 18, 2017: Drake releases "KMT" on More Life mixtape, XXXTentacion responds

On March 18, 2017, Drake released the mixtape More Life, which included the track "KMT". Shortly after, XXXTentacion, after being released from jail, publicly criticized Drake, calling him a "bitch" and expressing feeling disrespected by "KMT". He then posted a picture of Drake's mother on Twitter.

Loading Video...

March 26, 2017: XXXTentacion sets up surprise concert that ends in a riot

On March 26, 2017, XXXTentacion arranged a surprise concert in Miami for April 7 after being released from jail. However, a riot broke out before he arrived, leading police to shut down the event.

April 2017: XXXTentacion Speaks out Against Missile Strike on Syria

In April 2017, XXXTentacion voiced his opposition to President Trump's decision to launch a missile strike on Syria.

May 2017: XXXTentacion's trial pushed back

In May 2017, XXXTentacion's trial for domestic violence and witness tampering charges was originally going to take place but was pushed back several times. He was released from jail on a $50,000 bail on March 26, 2017, while facing charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

May 31, 2017: Wifisfuneral assaulted at Revenge Tour show in Houston

On May 31, 2017, Wifisfuneral, a member of XXXTentacion's Members Only collective, was assaulted during the first show of the Revenge Tour in Houston. He was kicked by audience members after stage-diving.

June 2017: XXXTentacion involved in altercation at San Diego concert

In June 2017, a physical altercation occurred during XXXTentacion's concert in San Diego, leading to XXXTentacion being knocked unconscious and an audience member being stabbed. The assailant was reportedly associated with Rob Stone, with whom XXXTentacion had a feud. Rob Stone later released a diss track, "Xxxtracredit", referencing the attack.

June 16, 2017: XXXTentacion punches audience member at Salt Lake City concert

On June 16, 2017, XXXTentacion punched an audience member during a concert at the Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah. He claimed it was in self-defense because he had warned the audience not to touch him.

June 20, 2017: XXXTentacion's Chicago concert canceled, fans riot

On June 20, 2017, XXXTentacion's concert at the Concord Music Hall in Chicago, Illinois, was canceled at the last minute due to venue management's decision. This led to a near-riot by hundreds of fans. Three days later, he canceled his tour after his cousin was shot.

September 2, 2017: XXXTentacion's Tampa concert canceled due to overcrowding, leading to near-riot

On September 2, 2017, a free concert announced for XXXTentacion's album 17 was canceled at the Orpheum in Tampa, Florida, due to overcrowding, leading to a near-riot. The venue's capacity was 750, but over 3,000 people appeared, and some fans claimed to have been teargassed by police.

September 8, 2017: Pitchfork leaks testimony in XXXTentacion's case, trial delayed

On September 8, 2017, Pitchfork leaked the testimony of the alleged victim in XXXTentacion's case, leading to another delay in the trial, with a new date set for December 11, 2017. Following this, XXXTentacion's decision to donate $100,000 to domestic violence prevention programs and announce an event to support rape victims sparked further controversy.

October 5, 2017: XXXTentacion's trial for domestic violence and witness tampering set to take place

On October 5, 2017, XXXTentacion's trial for domestic violence and witness tampering was scheduled to take place, after being postponed several times, stemming from the charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery, and false imprisonment from October 2016.

October 21, 2017: XXXTentacion involved in brawl at Rolling Loud Festival

On October 21, 2017, XXXTentacion was involved in a brawl with a fan during California's Rolling Loud Festival. XXXTentacion stated it was self-defense.

December 8, 2017: XXXTentacion expresses love for Ski Mask despite feud

On December 8, 2017, XXXTentacion posted on Instagram, expressing his love and support for Ski Mask the Slump God, despite their ongoing feud and Ski Mask's earlier claims about distancing himself and alleged threats from Onfroy.

December 14, 2017: XXXTentacion pleads not guilty and is taken into pretrial custody

On December 14, 2017, XXXTentacion pleaded not guilty and was taken into pretrial custody after the prosecution filed a motion citing bond violations. He was held without bail.

December 15, 2017: XXXTentacion's trial delayed again, new witness tampering charges filed

On December 15, 2017, XXXTentacion's trial was delayed again after his ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, asked for the charges to be dropped and declined to testify. The prosecution split the case, filing additional witness tampering charges and announcing a new trial date.

2017: XXXTentacion Clarifies Comments

In a 2017 interview with The Fader, XXXTentacion mentioned he should have been clearer about his fight with his gay cellmate, clarifying he didn't attack him for being gay. He called his discussion of the topic "negligent and stupid".

2017: XXXTentacion Frustration Over Eric Garner Case

In a 2017 interview, XXXTentacion expressed his frustration that the officer who killed Eric Garner was not arrested.

May 10, 2018: Spotify stops promoting XXXTentacion's music, later reverses decision

On May 10, 2018, Spotify announced that it would stop promoting XXXTentacion's music due to his behavior, but later reversed the decision after criticism and threats of removal of music from Top Dawg Entertainment.

October 23, 2018: Pitchfork releases audio of XXXTentacion confessing to violence

On October 23, 2018, Pitchfork released secretly recorded audio of 18-year-old XXXTentacion talking with acquaintances around the time of his October 8, 2016, arrest. Pitchfork alleged that he confessed to domestic violence in the recording and described an incident in which he stabbed eight people. The tape was considered a confession by the prosecution and defense.

2019: Release of jail calls reveals XXXTentacion's claims about ex-girlfriend's pregnancy

In 2019, documents and audio of phone calls that XXXTentacion made to his mother from jail were released, in which XXXTentacion claimed that his ex-girlfriend may not have been pregnant and that his female friends beat Ayala for getting XXXTentacion sent to a "mental asylum".

November 2022: Release of 2017 The Fader Interview

In November 2022, an interview with The Fader from 2017 was released where XXXTentacion stated that he should have been clearer in the podcast in which he described the fight. He stated he wished he had clarified that he did not attack his cellmate for the fact that he was gay, calling his discussion of the topic "negligent and stupid", but stated, "Everybody needs to realize at the time I was still a kid."