Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to XXXTentacion.
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.
2012: Arrested for Marijuana Possession
In 2012, XXXTentacion was arrested for possession of 21 grams of marijuana and was sentenced to one month of juvenile detention and six months at a behavioral correction facility.
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2013: Video Surfaces of XXXTentacion Hitting a Girl
In 2013, a Snapchat video surfaced of XXXTentacion hitting a girl named Breonna Starling when he was 15. His attorneys claimed the video was "obviously . . . in jest".
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2014: Sent to Youth Detention Center on Gun Possession Charges
In 2014, XXXTentacion was sent to a youth detention center for a year on gun possession charges. There were discussions about trying him as an adult, potentially leading to a 5–10 year prison sentence.
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August 2015: Attempted Suicide
In August 2015, XXXTentacion attempted to commit suicide by running into incoming traffic. He was hospitalized for his injuries and fined $86.50 for the incident.
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November 2015: Commits Robbery, Assault, and Home Invasion
In November 2015, XXXTentacion, along with three others, entered Che Thomas' home armed with a firearm, pistol-whipped Thomas three times, and stole an iPad, an iPhone, a Sony PlayStation Portable, and $20.
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April 2016: Adam22 interview
In April 2016, XXXTentacion gave an interview to Adam22, where he discussed attacking his gay cellmate while in juvenile detention. This interview led to characterizations of him as homophobic, although he later clarified that he is not homophobic and supports gay marriage.
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July 14, 2016: Arrested for Robbery, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Home Invasion
On July 14, 2016, XXXTentacion was arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and home invasion. This was for a crime that happened in November 2015. He had been bailed for stabbing Tablez a few days prior.
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September 2016: Released on $10,000 Bond
In September 2016, XXXTentacion was released on a $10,000 bond. He was later sentenced to six years probation, and Thomas requested that XXXTentacion not receive prison time.
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October 8, 2016: XXXTentacion Arrest
On October 8, 2016, XXXTentacion was arrested. Secretly recorded audio of XXXTentacion talking with acquaintances around the time of this arrest was later released by Pitchfork on October 23, 2018.
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October 26, 2016: Audio Clip Posted on Instagram
On the afternoon of October 26, 2016, XXXTentacion told a woman, "I already got what I wanted, I already bashed her face—her face on the internet, bruh, I done made her look bad on the internet, bruh." Later that day, an audio clip from the call was posted on Instagram of Onfroy saying he "bashed her face" without the hurried clarification.
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2016: Battery Charge Controversy
In 2016, XXXTentacion faced significant legal issues, most notably battery charges that led to considerable controversy.
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2016: Involuntarily Hospitalized Under Baker Act
In 2016, XXXTentacion was involuntarily hospitalized under Florida's Baker Act after Ayala and XXXTentacion's roommates reported to police that he had attempted suicide.
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2016: Allegations of domestic abuse
In 2016, XXXTentacion's ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala accused him of domestic abuse, sparking significant controversy.
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January 28, 2017: Drake previews "KMT", sparking comparisons to XXXTentacion's "Look at Me"
On January 28, 2017, Drake previewed a new track, "KMT", which drew comparisons to XXXTentacion's song "Look at Me" due to a similar triplet-heavy flow. Before the release of KMT, it was noted that Drake followed XXXTentacion on Twitter.
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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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March 26, 2017: XXXTentacion Announces Surprise Concert, Riot Breaks Out
On March 26, 2017, after being released from jail, XXXTentacion announced a surprise concert set for April 7 in Miami. The show had a low admission price, but before he arrived, a riot broke out, leading police to shut it down.
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May 2017: Domestic Violence Trial Date
In May 2017, XXXTentacion's trial for domestic violence and witness tampering charges was originally set to take place but was pushed back multiple times.
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May 31, 2017: Wifisfuneral Assaulted at Revenge Tour Show in Houston
On May 31, 2017, at the first show of the Revenge Tour in Houston, Wifisfuneral, a member of XXXTentacion's Members Only collective, was assaulted after stage-diving into the audience. Audience members kicked him and then left the venue.
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June 2017: Physical Altercation at San Diego Concert
In June 2017, a physical altercation occurred at XXXTentacion's concert in San Diego, leading to XXXTentacion being knocked unconscious and an audience member being stabbed. The assailant was reported to be an associate of rapper Rob Stone.
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June 16, 2017: XXXTentacion Punches Audience Member at 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 after warning the audience not to touch him.
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August 24, 2017: XXXTentacion uploads a controversial suicide depiction to Instagram
On August 24, 2017, a day before the release of his debut album, 17, XXXTentacion uploaded a video to Instagram depicting the act of suicide by hanging, later clarifying it was part of a music video.
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September 2, 2017: Free Concert Canceled Due to Overcrowding, Near-Riot Ensues
On September 2, 2017, a free concert announced to take place in Tampa, Florida, was canceled due to over 3,000 attendees appearing at a venue with only 750 capacity. This led to a near-riot and police intervention.
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September 8, 2017: Alleged Victim's Testimony Leaked, 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, which was rescheduled for December 11, 2017.
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October 5, 2017: Domestic Violence Trial Date Set
The domestic violence and witness tampering trial, for which XXXTentacion was arrested in October of the previous year, was set to take place on October 5, 2017, after being pushed back several times from the original May 2017 date.
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October 21, 2017: Brawl at Rolling Loud Festival
On October 21, 2017, XXXTentacion was involved in a brawl with a fan during California's Rolling Loud Festival. He claimed it was purely self-defense.
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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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December 10, 2017: Posts Court Information on Instagram
On December 10, 2017, XXXTentacion posted a message to Instagram with his court information, saying that he apologizes to everyone he let down if he is taken into custody.
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December 14, 2017: XXXTentacion Pleads Not Guilty, Taken into Custody
On December 14, 2017, XXXTentacion pleaded not guilty and was taken into pretrial custody after the prosecution filed a motion based on him violating his bond.
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December 15, 2017: New Trial Date Announced
On December 15, 2017, a new trial date was announced in XXXTentacion's case following an affidavit from his ex-girlfriend asking for the charges to be dropped. Additional witness tampering charges were filed against him.
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December 20, 2017: Released on House Arrest
On December 20, 2017, it was confirmed that XXXTentacion was being released on house arrest.
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2017: Clarification on the 2016 interview
In a 2017 interview, XXXTentacion stated he should have been clearer in the podcast about the fight he had, stating 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".
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March 21, 2018: Released from House Arrest
On March 21, 2018, XXXTentacion was released from house arrest.
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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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October 23, 2018: Secretly Recorded Audio Released
On October 23, 2018, Pitchfork released secretly recorded audio of XXXTentacion talking with acquaintances around the time of his October 8, 2016, arrest. The audio was considered a confession by the prosecution and defense.
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2019: Jail Calls Released
In 2019, documents and audio of phone calls that XXXTentacion made to his mother from jail were released. In them, he claimed his ex-girlfriend might not have been pregnant and that it was his female friends who beat Ayala.
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2020: Disputes Arise Over Youth Detention Narrative
In 2020, a biography disputed XXXTentacion's narrative of his time in youth detention in 2014, suggesting that he may have served only one month's detention as part of a wider sentence of less than one year.
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November 2022: Release of the 2017 interview
In November 2022, a 2017 interview with The Fader was released where XXXTentacion stated he should have been clearer in the podcast about the fight he had.
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