27 APR 2024 · Released in 2018, "Sad!" was one of the final singles by American rapper XXXTentacion before his tragic death at age 20. The song reflects on feelings of heartbreak, betrayal and depression. Backed by a slow, melancholy piano melody, the lyrics express anguish over a failed relationship. XXXTentacion's delivery alternates between singing and rapping, conveying a sense of emotional pain and inner turmoil. "Sad!" became XXXTentacion's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 after his passing, and is one of the most successful posthumous releases in hip hop history. The single is certified Diamond by the RIAA for selling over 10 million units in the US. The song's music video, filmed before his death, is one of the most viewed on YouTube with over 1 billion views. In the video, XXXTentacion attends his own funeral and fights his resurrected self, depicting an inner struggle. "Sad!" resonated strongly with XXXTentacion's fans and a youth audience for its raw, honest look at mental health issues and heartbreak. The song remains one of the late rapper's most popular and recognizable releases, emblematic of his introspective and emotionally charged style. It's considered a landmark emo rap track that helped propel that emerging subgenre into the mainstream. However, the song's legacy is complicated by the allegations of violence and abuse against XXXTentacion. Some critics argue this context makes it harder to sympathize with his expressions of pain and vulnerability on tracks like "Sad!". Others believe it's still important to engage with the art on its own terms. In any case, "Sad!" had an undeniable cultural impact and remains an influential part of XXXTentacion's body of work.

28 JAN 2024 · n XXXTentacion's Shadow: Navigating Grief, Fandom, and Controversy in the Online Community Jahseh Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion, continues to cast a long shadow over the music world, five years after his tragic death in 2018. But beyond the charts and streaming numbers, a vibrant and complex online community thrives, grappling with grief, celebrating his music, and confronting the controversies that still swirl around his legacy. The immediate aftermath of XXXTentacion's death saw an outpouring of grief on social media platforms like Reddit and Discord. Fans, many young and deeply connected to his music's raw emotional honesty, found solace in shared mourning and online memorials. Subreddits like r/XXXTENTACION remain active hubs for discussion, with over 1.5 million members sharing artwork, music edits, and personal stories of how his music impacted their lives. However, the expression of grief within the community isn't monolithic. Some fans gravitate towards lighthearted memes and celebrations of his music, while others engage in deeper discussions about mental health and the struggles XXXTentacion openly addressed in his lyrics. This diversity of expression reflects the multifaceted nature of grief and the varied ways fans find meaning in his music. The fan community isn't solely defined by grief. XXXTentacion's musical influence remains potent, with fans actively remixing, reinterpreting, and even producing their own tributes to his sound. Dedicated YouTube channels curate unreleased tracks and demos, while online forums buzz with music theory discussions and analyses of his complex production style. This ongoing engagement ensures that XXXTentacion's music continues to evolve and resonate with new audiences. The shadow of XXXTentacion's past still looms large. Accusations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend continue to spark heated debates within the community. Some fans fiercely defend him, dismissing the allegations as unfounded or media manipulation. Others engage in critical discussions, acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations while still appreciating his music. This internal conflict highlights the challenges of grappling with a beloved artist's troubled past and the responsibility of navigating fandom in the face of complex moral issues. The XXXTentacion online community offers a powerful sense of belonging for many fans. In a world that often feels isolating, sharing experiences and emotions around his music fosters a sense of shared identity and purpose. This digital space provides a platform for marginalized voices, offering solace and understanding to those who connect with XXXTentacion's raw vulnerability and unfiltered expression. However, the online world also presents its own challenges. Echo chambers can amplify toxic opinions, and the anonymity of the internet can embolden harmful or insensitive behavior. Navigating this digital landscape requires critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a commitment to respectful discourse. As time passes, the XXXTentacion online community will undoubtedly continue to evolve. New generations of fans will discover his music, bringing their own perspectives and interpretations. The controversies surrounding his life will likely remain a point of discussion, requiring ongoing critical engagement and thoughtful dialogue. Ultimately, the future of XXXTentacion's fandom lies in its ability to balance grief with celebration, creativity with critical thinking, and connection with responsibility. This online community, forged in the fires of shared passion and loss, offers a glimpse into the complex and ever-shifting landscape of fandom in the digital age. It's a space where music transcends tragedy, where grief finds solace, and where the legacy of a troubled artist continues to resonate, challenging and inspiring fans along the way.

31 OCT 2023 · This is the XXXTentacion - Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy - Gone 2 Soon podcast. In the vast landscape of modern music, few figures shone as brightly, or burned out as quickly, as Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known to the world as XXXTentacion. Born amidst the palm fronds and sun-kissed skies of Plantation, Florida, on January 23, 1998, Jahseh was a meteoric talent who soared across the musical horizon, leaving a trail of beauty, controversy, and sorrow in his wake. From the tender age of 15, the young bard found solace and expression in music, weaving his internal tempests into verses and beats. His early affinity for music was birthed under the influences of legendary figures like Tupac Shakur and the audacious rhythms of bands like Papa Roach. Jahseh, like many prodigies, was a rebel from the start, detesting the confinement of musical notes and patterns. His heart beat to a different drum, one that resonated with the raw and unfiltered emotions of life's tumults. His venture into the musical realms commenced on the fertile grounds of SoundCloud in 2013, where his unique blend of emo, trap, and punk rock found a resonant echo among a generation grappling with the intricacies of identity and existence. His music, a cauldron of dark, introspective lyrics and an eclectic blend of genres, resonated with the hearts of many, forging a cult following that clung to the threads of his melancholic melodies and the authenticity of his narrative. Jahseh’s artistic journey was a quest for light within darkness, a quest mirrored in his own turbulent life. The world bore witness to his battles with legal tribulations, most notably the battery charges of 2016 that cast a long shadow over his fledgling career. Yet, amidst the storm, his music was a balm to many souls, offering a glimpse of understanding, a shard of communal belonging in the vast sea of societal alienation. His albums “17” and “?”, showcased not just a remarkable musical prowess but a profound understanding of human emotions, earning accolades and sky-rocketing on the Billboard charts. Yet, the zenith of his career was paralleled by a nadir in his personal life. On a fateful summer day in 2018, the life of Jahseh was tragically snuffed out in a hail of bullets in Deerfield Beach, Florida, leaving a gaping void in the hearts of his legion of followers. The murder trial that ensued was a somber reflection of the violence that claimed his life, ending with a verdict of life imprisonment for the accused. A stark reminder of the frail thread of existence that binds us all. Despite the melancholy that surrounded his life and death, Jahseh's legacy continues to reverberate through the annals of music and the hearts of his admirers. His posthumous accolades, including a Billboard Music Award and a BET Award, are mere tokens of his indelible impact on the music industry and his unyielding relevance to his fans. Moreover, his brief foray into acting, with credits in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse", "Exit", and "We Are Who We Are", showcased a budding talent tragically curtailed. As the sun sets on the saga of XXXTentacion, we are left with the echoes of his music, a bittersweet melody that transcends the vicissitudes of his short-lived journey. Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, the enigmatic, troubled, and undeniably gifted artist, remains etched in the annals of music, a poignant reminder of the transient, yet powerful nature of existence – a melody of promise, pain, and transcendence that continues to serenade the hearts of the lost and the hopeful. Thank you for listening and be sure to check out the other Gone 2 soon podcasts, by searching Gone the number two and the word soon. that is Gone 2 soon, where ever you get your podcasts.