The 19-year-old Broward County native, better known as XXXTentacion has been having quite the year creating a wave for himself, and it’s been nothing short of controversial. Going to jail, beefing with Drake, making XXL’s freshman cover, getting knocked out on stage, the list goes on. As he continues to build his fan base with the release of his debut album 17, fans reveal why they like XXXTentacion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DBYmhKig1I
Complex recently reached out to several XXXTentacion fans to find out why there’s such an appeal to the polarizing artist. Tiago, a 21-year-old from Boston says he feels an emotional connection when listening to X’s music. Sazzad from Staten Island revealed it’s the range and versatility of X that keeps him listening. Others have said it’s simply the controversy that surrounds X that keeps them engaged and the music acts as a bonus to their interest.
Whether it’s raging turn up, detailing violent acts or leaving his emotions on the line for loved ones, there’s a running theme to X’s music. Raw, authentic vulnerability is what I think his fans appreciate most. One thing that can be said about X’s fans, is that there is an uncanny amount of loyalty. They’ve gone as far as walking into churches blasting his hit record “Look At Me”, to getting the rapper’s likeness shaved into their head.
“When I tell my fans if you’re gonna be a fan it’s different than being someone that supports me. Because if you’re a fan that means you abide by everything I believe in, and you support what I do to the fullest extent.”
For myself, I can certainly appreciate any artist who shows the level of transparency X does. That is my single most important key that connects the artist to the listener. What I’ve experienced from X so far has been hard-hitting bass and mosh pit like vibes. But there is a whole other side of X I know exists, and like many others, that versatility is the draw for me.
X has made it clear that his debut album is not for turning up and getting rowdy. Instead, it is for those who feel alone and struggle with depression. I can’t wait to dive into 17 to see all that X has to offer.
If you’re familiar with X, how do you feel about him? Does his troubled past make it difficult for the appeal to be there, or does his talent make it easy to forget about his short comings? Get in the comments and let us know.
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