WHY WAS XXXTENTACION SO POPULAR?

Dropping out of high school at 17 and then releasing one of the hardest-hitting songs on the internet without any support from a record label, radio airplay, or media coverage might seem impossible. However, for Jahseh Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion, this was reality. Known for bringing the emo rap genre into the mainstream, X also pioneered a new sub-genre that thrives today, though he often doesn't receive the credit he deserves.

Starting from his SoundCloud days and eventually breaking into the mainstream rap scene, X stood out from other rappers with his unique music, personality, and style. Hailing from South Florida, he drew inspiration from artists like Chief Keef, Kanye West, Tupac, and Lil Wayne. Unlike many others, X also loved alternative music, including rock, emo, punk, metal, and EDM, and was a fan of artists like Kurt Cobain, Gorillaz, Lana Del Rey, and Three Days Grace. This diverse taste led him to create the sub-genre "trap punk."