On June 18, 2018, the hip hop community was rocked by the tragic death of Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known to fans around the world as XXXTentacion. The South Florida rapper, just 20 years old at the time of his death, was shot and killed in broad daylight outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His murder, which was later determined to be a targeted robbery, shocked both fans and critics alike and left an undeniable void in the rising generation of SoundCloud-era rap.
Born in Plantation, Florida, XXXTentacion came up through the underground rap scene, gaining notoriety in the mid-2010s through music-sharing platforms like SoundCloud. His breakout track “Look at Me!” became a viral hit, showcasing his aggressive delivery and emotionally raw lyrics. From there, he built a devoted following through his music, which often explored themes of mental health, trauma, alienation, and emotional conflict—topics that resonated deeply with a generation that felt unheard.
XXXTentacion released two full-length albums during his lifetime, 17 (2017) and ? (2018), both of which debuted to commercial success. 17 was lauded for its emotional vulnerability and unconventional sound, while ? reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, solidifying his place as a mainstream artist. Songs like “Jocelyn Flores,” “Moonlight,” and “Sad!” revealed a more melodic and introspective side, contrasting the chaos of his public persona.
Despite his musical success, XXXTentacion was a deeply polarizing figure. His career was marked by a string of legal issues, most notably a 2016 domestic abuse case involving his then-pregnant ex-girlfriend. These allegations fueled public debate about whether his artistic contributions should be separated from his personal behavior, a conversation that continues to this day.
In the years since his death, XXXTentacion’s influence remains undeniable. Posthumous releases, including Skins (2018) and Bad Vibes Forever (2019), were met with both commercial success and critical scrutiny. His estate has worked to preserve his legacy through new music, charitable foundations, and documentaries, although not without controversy.
Ultimately, XXXTentacion was a young artist with tremendous talent and undeniable emotional reach, whose life was cut short at a time when he was beginning to reflect, grow, and reckon with his past. For many of his fans, he remains a voice that spoke directly to their pain, even as his own story remains one of conflict and contradiction.
Five years after his passing, XXXTentacion’s name still sparks debate, remembrance, and reflection—reminding us of both the power and the peril of fame at a young age.