It’s been over six years since XXXTentacion’s tragic and untimely death. One of the four men convicted for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting, Dedrick Williams, was handed a life sentence in 2023. He, along with two other men, was found guilty of first-degree murder as well as armed robbery. Now, he’s filing court documents for an appeal. According to Law & Crime Network, his petition points to the late artist’s alleged feud with Drake, arguing that it proves he could allegedly be an alternate suspect.
Williams’ attorney Mauricio Padilla recently spoke with the outlet, describing how he’s trying to create reasonable doubt. “A defendant has every right to defend himself, to show reasonable doubt wherever it may be, and to fully investigate and articulate to a jury an alternate shooter defense or an alternate defense where someone else committed this crime,” he explained. Unfounded conspiracy theories suggesting Drake was allegedly involved in XXXTentacion’s death are nothing new. With that being said, Padilla noted how he’s not necessarily accusing Drake of carrying out the shooting. Instead, he’s trying to prove that this lead wasn’t looked into and that the investigation was sloppy.
It appears as though Drake has his own legal issues to worry about these days, however. He recently decided to take legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG). The Toronto rapper accuses the label and Spotify of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track “Not Like Us.” He also alleges that UMG could have prevented the release of the song, on which Kendrick accuses him of being a sexual predator. Unsurprisingly, this has since earned big reactions from countless social media users and peers.
Some, like Funkmaster Flex, think Drake is completely in the right. Others, like Joe Budden, believe that taking legal action only makes him look worse. Earlier this week, DJ Akademiks even argued that the timing of Drake’s filing could have worked in Kendrick’s favor, boosting sales of his new album GNX.
XXXTentacion is an artist who passed away very early on in his run. Overall, he burst onto the scene near the end of 2016 and truly hit his stride in 2017. However, in the summer of 2018, he was shot and killed in his car during a robbery. For many, it was an incredibly sad event that changed the state of music at the time. To this day, there are fans who see XXX as a legend of sorts. They believe that he is a 2Pac-like figure who would have gone on to become a true superstar. Although no one can say for sure what would have happened, there is no doubt he had potential.
Since his passing, there has certainly been a cult-like quality to his fanbase. Overall, they always want to know more about him, especially since they didn’t get to see much when he was alive. For instance, a ton of his fans look for updates concerning his young son Gekyume. Now, according to DJ Akademiks, there are new tidbits about XXXTentacion for fans to consume. As you can see below, a bunch of unseen images of the rapper have appeared online.
In these photos, XXX can be seen on the beach, at convenience stores, and even hanging out with fans. Overall, they are fairly wholesome photos that show how the artist was full of life. For longtime fans, these photos probably hit close to home. In the coming months and years, we’re sure more of these images will come to light as fans reflect on their camera rolls.
Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section down below. Were you a fan of XXXTentacion and his music? Where do you think his career would be right now if he was still around to make art? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
XXXTentacion’s legend grew after his unfortunate passing. Similar to Mac Miller, his music walked a tightrope between the worlds of the living and the dead, often referencing the afterlife throughout his music. The album ? was Tentacion’s last record before his untimely death at 20. Coming into the project, X was already a global icon. His debut studio album, 17, blended the worlds of folk and emo-grunge into a sad-boy project that captured the imagination of a generation. However, his sophomore album ? saw XXXTentacion significantly mature as a songwriter and conceptual creator.
To call XXXTentacion’s ? a rap album would be an undersell. Darting through various sonic pallets, each song explores alternative sounds in an even more daring way than 17 did. “Changes” is an emotive piano ballad that sees X sing his heart out. “Moonlight” features a swirling reverbed production, with X’s vocal performance being one of the standout moments in his discography. “SAD!” is one of the darker emotional tracks on the album, where X threatens to end his life if his lover leaves him. “SAD!” is an odd experience, as X being at an emotional low point directly contrasts with the upbeat nature of the production.
“?” Reinforces XXXTentacion’s Mental Troubles
He’s heartbroken, lost, and depressed throughout the entirety of ?. Of course, the lyrics do come off as overtly dramatic at times. While repeating that he’s sad throughout the project, it can be difficult to pull back the covers on the more specific reasons for these feelings. It’d be nice to hear more about his environment in South Florida or the various legal troubles that he’s experienced. With that being said, X’s lack of transparency would add to his confusing legacy following his passing. Shot and killed back in June of 2018, it’s hard to believe we are approaching five years since his untimely death.
However, XXXTentacion’s ? is more than an album with a repetitive sad boy singing. “Infinity (888)” garners a surprising feature from Joey Bada$$, with the two having an incredible level of chemistry throughout the track. With Joey being one of the most talented MCs in the game, X surprisingly holds his own amidst an East-Coast boom bap. Even for the redundant lyricism on “NUMB,” the track is still an exhilarating piece of punk rock. In retrospect, “before I close my eyes” contains haunting lyricism, with X stating, “I pray the Lord my soul to keep” / “I hope it’s not too late for me.” As an overall project, ? is a wild collection of ideas that can be difficult to process. However, the record’s diversity means that there’s a standout track no matter the musical background of the listener.
XXXTentacion’s “?” Is One of The Most Successful Albums Ever
The albums’ numbers are astounding, with four tracks doing over a billion streams on Spotify. Upon first listen, it’s hard to hear why XXXTentacion’s ? is the tenth most streamed album of all time. However, the album’s storytelling directly mirrors Internet culture. Thriving in its confusing brevity and in-your-face lyricism, ? is a consumer-friendly album. Of course, this wasn’t intentional on the part of X. The project’s chaotic nature simply reflected his mindset, with the constant genre-switching and half-baked ideas. At only 20 years old, X was still searching for his sound. We even hear him rap in Spanish on “i don’t even speak spanish lol.”
By the time XXXTentacion’s ? album arrived, he was already a superstar. He was a part of the newfound wave of emo rap, primarily coming out of South Florida. Along with the likes of Lil Peep, he captured the angst of Gen-Z high schoolers. The sub-genre was at its peak during X’s rise, one that kicked off with the high-octane “Look at Me!”. However, X’s personality, in particular, caught the attention of fans. Raging and moshing at live shows, there was an ongoing contrast between his hard exterior and somber lyricism. Everything about his braided hair and stone-cold personality gave the impression of someone who was unfeeling. However, X was beginning to ditch that persona before his passing.
An Iconic Career Cut Short
SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 27: Fans leave flowers and art outside the XXXTentacion Funeral & Fan Memorialat BB&T Center on June 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
XXXTentacion’s murder cut a growing career short. As an overall album, ? was a significant step in the right direction for XXXTentacion. He matured from a songwriting and hitmaking perspective. After hearing the record, the overarching feeling is “what if?” with the audience never seeing how he would grow from the project. His posthumous releases, even more so than ?, were half-baked ideas rather than fully-fledged projects. The Florida kid was enamored with the musical world around him, referencing being influenced by Billie Eilish, Nirvana, and Kendrick Lamar. While ? didn’t quite stick the landing, its flaws and blemishes turned into meaningful insights into XXXTentacion’s state of mind.
The mother of XXXTENTACION’s son spoke out following the guilty verdict against the three men involved in his murder. Jenesis Sanchez, the mother of 4-year-old Gekyume, celebrated the jury’s decision after 6+ days of deliberation. “After 5 long years you may finally rest in peace. Gekyume will never get to meet you earthside but it is my job as a mother to ensure I share those special memories with him,” she wrote on Instagram. “Jah was robbed of his life and Geky was robbed of his father. For this, I will never truly have complete peace but justice being served today helps the healing process.”
Though Sanchez has been relatively quiet in the public eye since XXXTENTACION’s son’s birth, she expressed gratitude to the legions of fans and friends who’ve shown out for her during the past five years. “Thank you for the love and support,” she added in her post. “I am eternally grateful for all of the supporters, your positivity, and prayers have carried these last 5 years.” It’s undoubtedly a bit of a relief following a tumultuous few months of trial that found the defense damn near making a mockery out of XXXTENTACION’s death.
Cleopatra Bernard, XXXTENTACION’s mother, also reacted to the news on Instagram. Bernard shared a post on her Instagram account where she celebrated the guilty verdict, saying that her son finally received justice. “I Made sure you were present in the room,” Cleo added alongside a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt with the rapper’s face on it. There’s no doubt that many of X’s friends and fans feel similar to both Bernard and Sanchez.
Following deliberation that began last week, the jury found Dedrick Williams, 26; Trayvon Newsome, 24; and Michael Boatwright, 28, guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery. The fourth suspect, Robert Allen, took a plea deal last summer and testified against his co-defendants during the trial. The first-degree murder charge carries a life sentence but the three men won’t face sentencing until April. We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding the sentencing date. Check out Jenesis Sanchez’s post above.
Though no verdict will bring her son back, XXXTENTACION’s mom can feel some relief now that a jury delivered justice. Cleopatra Bernard rejoiced at the verdict that found the three men standing trial in XXXTENTACION’s murder guilty on all counts. “You finally got justice Jah,” she wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of her son. Bernard attended court today where the jury found Dedrick Williams, 26; Trayvon Newsome, 24; and Michael Boatwright, 28, guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery. “I Made sure you were present in the room,” his mom added while wearing a t-shirt with XXXTENTACION’s face.
Prosecutors accused Williams, Newsome, and Boatwright of planning and robbing XXXTENTACION outside of Riva Motorsports in Broward County on June 18th, 2018. A fourth suspect, Robert Allen, took to the stand where he testified against the other defendants. Allen said that he was the getaway driver while the other three individuals executed the robbery. All four men await sentencing on April 6th, though Allen could receive time served for his cooperation. The first-degree murder charges alone carry a possible life sentence.
Though Cleopatra Bernard attended the trial, she was also mentioned during the preliminary hearings. Earlier this year, the defense successfully argued that XXXTENTACION’s mother needed to disclose the amount of money she received since his death. Given that she took control of his estate after his passing, the defense felt as though this information would be critical in creating their argument. Evidently, that didn’t work out for them in the end.
Over the years since her son’s death, XXXTENTACION’s mom led his estate and provided fans with updates on his posthumous releases. In 2022, Bernard led the campaign of X’s documentary, Look At Me, which explored his career and personal life, specifically the allegations of abuse against his ex-girlfriend. Though some fans felt a way about it, Bernard explained that she aimed to humanize her son with the documentary’s release. However, she also admitted that she wished she included documents proving that his ex-girlfriend wasn’t pregnant at the time of the domestic abuse incident. Check out Cleopatra’s response to the guilty verdict above.
It’s only a matter of time before the world learns the fate of XXXTentacion’s killers. Four suspects were accused of robbing and murdering Jahseh Onfroy in 2018 in his home state of Florida. The rapper visited a local motorcycle shop, and as he was driving out of the parking lot, an SUV blocked his pathway. The botched robbery was captured by surveillance cameras, and after the group fled, someone recorded Onfroy as he died in his car. That video was later posted to social media.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, and the trial has been quite the spectacle. One of the defendants also turned on his friends and testified for the prosecution. Other witnesses took the stand to confirm that at least one of the defendants confirmed he was involved. The attorney for the alleged triggerman tried to argue that his client and another defendant were innocent due to DNA evidence. After a lengthy process, the jury is now out for deliberation.
MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: Rapper XXXTentacion attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET )
“Whoever (XXXTentacion) struggled with is not in this courtroom,” the attorney told the court. “The DNA proves that someone not named Michael Boatwright or Trayvon Newsome participated in this murder.” Additionally, this case has named several high-profile rappers, including Drake. Defense attorneys did their best to wrap Drizzy’s name into the scandal due to his online beef with the late star.
Robert Allen, the defendant who turned State’s witness, testified that he and his conspirators got away with $50,000. However, his cut was much lower than the others because he refused to get out of the SUV. The defense attempted to paint him as an unreliable witness who wasn’t telling the truth. In a more shocking reveal in court today (March 8), a video was played, said to have been taken just hours after Onfroy’s murder. In it, the defendants are seen enjoying themselves as they smile, dance, and display handfuls of cash. To be specific, $100 bills.
XXXTentacion Fan Await News
Of the three remaining defendants waiting on a verdict, they all are looking at upwards of life behind bars. The Associated Press reported that although they were tried together, their convictions would be separate. This also means that not all could be convicted. It was reported that the jury gathered for about an hour before calling it a day. For now, it’s a waiting game, but a verdict is expected sooner than later.
Over the past few years, the conspiracy theories linking Drake to XXXTENTACION’s death have been endless. There have been plenty of fan theories dissecting lyrics and music videos in an attempt to connect Drizzy to the Florida rapper’s death. Unfortunately, the Internet theories led to real-life implications and in the past two months, defense attorneys have used Drake’s name in an attempt to create some sort of doubt that the four men on trial did not actually murder XXXTENTACION.
Most recently, the attorney for Dedrick Williams, Mauricio Padilla, has tried to convince a judge that his argument requires a deposition from Drake. There’s been a back-and-forth that led to a pair of process servers facing off with Drake’s security in Calabasas. On top of that, one of the defendants, who copped a deal and turned state’s witness, confirmed on the stand that he has no ties to Drake whatsoever. Meanwhile, the rapper’s lawyer has had to appear in court to try and quash the deposition since last week, though it appears that the judge has made a definitive decision.
Judge Rules In Drake’s Favor
NEW: Judge in #XXXTentacion trial rules in favor of @Drake and he will not have to sit for a deposition.
Judge: ” …no evidence of (Drake) being involved other than hearsay and innuendo. You are now trying to just drag somebody in who’s a celebrity…” pic.twitter.com/7pwXHaHcdN
This week, Padilla returned to court where he addressed the judge surrounding the Drake deposition and in short, it didn’t work out for him. Padilla tried to explain the video of 600Breezy going to Florida to find XXXTENTACION supposedly on Drake’s behalf. “Counsel, then subpoena 600Breezy,” the judge informed Padilla before shutting the door on any possibility of having Drake sit down for a deposition.
“What does that have to do with someone else who you have no evidence of being involved other than hearsay and innuendo,” the judge continued. “You are now trying to just drag somebody in who’s a celebrity, who does not want to be associated with this. And to harm that individual is not inconsequential.” Padilla began to explain the connection between Breezy and Drake but clearly, the judge was fed up. “You’ve had this case since 2018. Go talk to Breezy,” he said with his hands up. Overall, Padilla’s attempt to get Drake on the stand has been an utter failure. Check the clip above.
After nearly five years of waiting, three defendants are on trial for the murder of XXXTentacion. The rapper was killed in July 2018 while trying to leave a motorbike shop in Florida before four people accosted and robbed him. He was sitting in his vehicle when another car blocked his exit. The group jumped out and immediately attacked the rapper, and the botched robbery turned deadly.
One defendant, Robert Allen, has already agreed to a plea of second-degree murder. He turned state’s witness and has testified against his former friends. Additionally, a woman named Tony Robinson was also called to testify. She told the court she was responsible for renting the vehicle used in the murder.
SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 27: Fans leave items at a makeshift memorial outside the XXXTentacion Funeral & Fan Memorial at BB&T Center on June 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
“I received a call from Chucky,” Robinson stated, “saying that Big Rob (Allen) wanted to rent a car but because Chucky, Dedrick Williams, wasn’t going to be present, I asked him to have Big Rob call me directly.” Following XXXTentacion’s murder, three of the four men crashed the vehicle. Elsewhere during Robinson’s testimony, she said Williams apologized to her for getting her “caught up” in the case.
Another issue in this case has been the alleged involvement of several celebrities. Drake’s name has been mentioned repeatedly, as there have been rumors about him setting up XXXTentacion’s murder. It sounds far-fetched, and Robert Allen testified that he doesn’t know Drizzy at all. In fact, he said he didn’t even know anyone from Toronto and never spoke with Drake in his life. He was also asked about being connected to DJ Akademiks or Ski Mask The Slump God, but he denied knowing them as well.
Meanwhile, Drake came close to appearing in court after being deposed. However, his attorney jumped into high gear, and fortunately for the rapper, the motion was tossed out. According to reports, defense attorneys have struggled to combat Allen’s testimony about the crime. They’ve attempted to discredit him and even entered the Drake theory, but the case against the three remaining defendants is stacked high.
Drake likely never thought that the silent tension brewing between himself and XXXTENTACION would ever lead to a deposition. X took many issues with Drake in the years prior to his death. It began with Drake’s “KMT” flow, which X said was stolen from “Look At Me!” However, the tension between them escalated even further beyond that. Unfortunately, it led to numerous allegations that Drake somehow had some involvement in the Broward County rapper’s death, which defense attorneys mentioned on numerous occasions since the trial began.
Dedrick Williams’ attorney, Mauricio Padilla, said that investigators never looked into Drake and X’s beef prior to making arrests. Additionally, he brought up the fact that X’s mother asked his uncle to accompany him when he went shopping for a motorcycle out of fear of the public feuds he had with well-known rappers. During the pre-trial, Padilla mentioned that he wanted Drake on the witness stand to testify in the trial. Shortly after, he filed a motion to have Drake sit down for a deposition, which a judge granted over the weekend. Even after the state’s witness, Robert Allen – the fourth suspect arrested over X’s death – said that he didn’t know Drake, anyone from Toronto, or any parties associated with the Canadian artist.
Judge Grants Drake’s Motion To Dodge Deposition
Drake’s wish is officially granted — he will not be grilled by a defense attorney about XXXTentacion’s murder … TMZ Hip Hop has learned. https://t.co/CNjdQCgL9N
It looks like Drake won’t have to sit down for a deposition after all. According to TMZ, Judge Michael A. Usan granted Drake’s motion to dodge the deposition. Drizzy’s attorney appeared in court earlier this week where he explained that, not only was the subpoena flawed, but that there isn’t a shred of evidence tying the rapper to X’s death. Though the judge agreed, he stated that he would have to work out a schedule with the defense for a deposition. Judge Usan ultimately backtracked on that ruling and let Drizzy off the hook once the rapper’s lawyer explained that his client had no relevant information to provide.
Now, is there a possibility that Drake might still have to sit down for a deposition? Potentially but that would require some serious work from Padilla, especially since the trial is already underway. For now, it appears that Drake is in the clear and won’t have any involvement in the trial moving forward. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes in the future. Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below.
There has been no shortage of conspiracy theories alleging Drake’s involvement in XXXTENTACION’s murder death. Though it began as online rumors with fans reaching to put pieces together, it, unfortunately, reached the courtroom. Dedrick Williams’ attorney, Mauricio Padilla, questioned the state’s witness about the Toronto artist’s involvement while tying in Drizzy’s “God Plan” music video. However, the witness took the stand and denied knowing the Her Loss rapper or his affiliates. Still, after months of pushing, the judge granted Padilla’s motion to subpoena Drake for a deposition in the case.
Last week, Judge Michael Usan stated that Drake previously failed to appear for a deposition in January. “As a result of Aubrey Drake Graham’s failure to appear for the deposition set on Jan. 27, 2023, Aubrey Drake Graham shall appear for deposition at 5:00pm EST on Friday, Feb. 24th, 2023,” the motion read. The judge said Drake would have to appear in court on Feb. 27th if he failed to appear at the deposition and explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt of court.
#Drake’s attorney said subpoenas were served incorrectly and there is no evidence he had anything to do with this. Judge didn’t disagree but said Drake and his attorney would have to work with the defense to figure out a deposition time to allow for full due process. @WPLGLocal10
Following the judge’s decision, the “Jimmy Cooks” rapper’s legal team filed a motion to quash the order requiring him to appear for a deposition. Drake’s lawyer stated in the motion that the paperwork wasn’t served properly. Additionally, he pointed out that there’s no evidence “to substantiate the assertion that (Drake) in any way contributed to, had knowledge of, or participated in the alleged incident.” He added demanding the Canadian rapper “appear for something that he very clearly has no relevant knowledge of is unreasonable.”
This morning, Drake’s attorney, Brad Cohen, appeared on the rapper’s behalf to further dismiss the deposition order, per WPLG reporter Ian Margol. Cohen reiterated his argument from the motion he filed over the weekend, and it appears that the judge didn’t necessarily oppose. Still, it appears that Drake will have to sit down for a deposition. “Judge didn’t disagree but said Drake and his attorney would have to work with the defense to figure out a deposition time to allow for full due process,” Margol tweeted. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates.
