Seven years ago today, the world lost one of hip-hop’s most complex and influential young voices. Jahseh Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion, was tragically killed on June 18, 2018, at just 20 years old. Though his life was cut short, his music and legacy continue to resonate deeply with fans across the globe.
Born in 1998, XXXTentacion rose from the underground SoundCloud scene to mainstream fame with a sound that blended raw emotion, vulnerability, and aggression. His 2018 album, ?, featuring hits like “SAD!” and “Moonlight,” broke records and has since become the most-streamed rap album posthumously, continuing to chart long after his passing.
As of 2025, XXXTentacion remains one of the top-streamed artists globally, with his music gaining millions of new listeners each year — a rare phenomenon in music, especially for an artist no longer with us.
While controversy surrounded parts of his life, the emotional depth and authenticity of his art left a lasting imprint on a generation. From pain came purpose — and from chaos, creativity.
XXXTentacion (1998–2018) — gone too soon, but never forgotten.