Trippie Redd is celebrating a diamond record. His feature on XXXTENTACION’s “Fuck Love” has officially certified Diamond as of June 18. In celebration of the moment, Trippie Redd penned a message on Twitter.
“Fuck love certified diamond rip @xxxtentacion love u baby boy I will never ever forget u or this day we had a great experience together and no one will ever be able to take that away from us long live the greatest of all time and I’m here for u holding this sh!t down as we speak ! Fuck the world bad vibes 5 life members only real memberrrrrr”
He added, “LONG LIVE JAH HAPPY IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT RN I COULD CRY!”
Fuck love certified diamond rip @xxxtentacion love u baby boy I will never ever forget u or this day we had a great experience together and no one will ever be able to take that away from us long live the greatest of all time and I’m here for u holding this sh!t down as we speak… pic.twitter.com/SacER8DHPh
On the fifth anniversary of his death, the XXXTENTACION estate releases a new single by the rapper. The new release is called “I’m Not Human.”
The single features vocals from Lil Uzi Vert and production credits from collaborator John Cunningham, who penned details about the single.
“When I was living with Jah in Florida in 2018 we would spend most days in his room, me playing guitar and him singing,” Cunningham wrote. “The day he first sang ‘I’m not human’ as I was playing that guitar part we both looked at each other and cracked a smile, knowing it was special. We listened back to the voice memo he recorded and talked about finishing it.”
You can hear the single below.
Last month three of the four men convicted of cowardly murdering rapper XXXTentacion were sentenced to life in prison after a grueling trial. Now the fourth man who testified against his three friends, will spend just two years in prison.
The AP reports:
A Florida man who testified against three former friends who murdered rising rap star XXXTentacion during a robbery five years ago will spend the next two years in prison, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Circuit Judge Michael Usan sentenced Robert Allen to seven years in prison, with credit for the five years he has already spent at the Broward County jail. He will then spend 20 years on probation. He could have received a life sentence.
Allen, 27, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder and testified earlier this year against Michael Boatwright, 27, Dedrick Williams, 27, and Trayvon Newsome, 25. They were convicted of first-degree murder in March and sentenced to life in prison.
During the month long trial, prosecutors linked Allen, Boatwright, Williams and Newsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store. They stole $50,000 and made cellphone videos hours after the shooting showing them flashing fistfuls of $100 bills.
On the fifth anniversary of his death, the XXXTENTACION estate releases a new single by the rapper. The new release is called “I’m Not Human.”
The single features vocals from Lil Uzi Vert and production credits from collaborator John Cunningham, who penned details about the single.
“When I was living with Jah in Florida in 2018 we would spend most days in his room, me playing guitar and him singing,” Cunningham wrote. “The day he first sang ‘I’m not human’ as I was playing that guitar part we both looked at each other and cracked a smile, knowing it was special. We listened back to the voice memo he recorded and talked about finishing it.”
You can hear the single below.
Last month three of the four men convicted of cowardly murdering rapper XXXTentacion were sentenced to life in prison after a grueling trial. Now the fourth man who testified against his three friends, will spend just two years in prison.
The AP reports:
A Florida man who testified against three former friends who murdered rising rap star XXXTentacion during a robbery five years ago will spend the next two years in prison, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Circuit Judge Michael Usan sentenced Robert Allen to seven years in prison, with credit for the five years he has already spent at the Broward County jail. He will then spend 20 years on probation. He could have received a life sentence.
Allen, 27, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder and testified earlier this year against Michael Boatwright, 27, Dedrick Williams, 27, and Trayvon Newsome, 25. They were convicted of first-degree murder in March and sentenced to life in prison.
During the month long trial, prosecutors linked Allen, Boatwright, Williams and Newsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store. They stole $50,000 and made cellphone videos hours after the shooting showing them flashing fistfuls of $100 bills.
Exactly five years after his tragic passing, XXXTENTACION’s legacy continues to make shockwaves in the music industry. Say what you will about his personal demons and accountability, but he carved out a lane that many continue to follow and be inspired by. Today, Sunday June 18, his estate mourned his loss but celebrated his work by officially releasing his Lil Uzi Vert collab, “I’m Not Human.” Also on this anniversary, his track with Trippie Redd “F**k Love” was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), according to their website. Not only that, but today is also the Ohio native’s 24th birthday, who is celebrating a new single of his own this week.
As such, this marks an incredibly special, rare, but what feels like a destined milestone for both artists. While XXXTENTACION’s commercial success cannot be overstated and Trippie Redd has had plenty of that as well, this is the latter’s first diamond track ever. For those unaware, that equates 10 million certified equivalent units, which is a huge feat even for today’s prolific streaming era. No matter how you slice it, this news seemed written in the stars.
Back when the 17 track went six times platinum, the now-24-year-old paid tribute to the Florida rap innovator. In fact, looking back on his short but sweet message, it’s remarkable to see how his affirmation became true less than three years later. “Damn bro @xxxtentacion it’s cr*zy how we gone be diamond together… I love u & miss u,” Trippie Redd shared on Instagram. During an interview with Complex, the A Love Letter To You artist gave an emotional testimony when remembering his collaborator. “Literally, right before I went [to jail], Jah had sent in the ‘F**k Love’ track and we had talked to each other,” he expressed. “We had good words for each other. At the end of the day, we always used to argue and s**t. We was like some little a** girls. [laughs] But we always made up from our arguments.
“The last argument was very serious but we ended up getting past it and s**t,” he continued. “I got locked up, and then like the day I got out, that s**t happened. Like literally, I’m driving to my lawyer office, and I just don’t feel the vibe or the energy. It’s like, I’m gettin’ outta jail and I could just feel something was wrong. And everybody knew it, they knew I felt that way, ’cause somebody that just got out of jail would be happy. I wasn’t really happy at all, I was just feeling weird. And we got to the building and s**t, my lawyer son came up, was talkin’ about…f**k that s**t.” Today, we can grieve but also celebrate the impact that these artists have that will continue to grow. For more on XXXTENTACION and Trippie Redd, stay posted on HNHH.
After five years, XXXTentacion fans are still grieving over his tragic death. Fortunately, the family has been to find some semblance of closure after his killer was formally sentenced to life in prison. To honor his legacy, XXXTentacion’s estate has finally authorized the release of his single “I’m Not Human,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert.
The song, produced by John Cunningham, is a stark reminder of one’s vulnerability. This raw honesty is highlighted in the second verse, in which the pair rap, “Lay you down when you go to sleep / And wipе your eyes evеry time you weep / Tell you that life is not that deep / Paintin’ pictures that I’m a freak, but I’m not a human / I’m tired of losin’, inflicting my bruises, humans are users / I’m not a human.”
Although “I’m Not Human” was previously released on SoundCloud in January to mark what would have been XXXTentacion’s 25th birthday, at the time it was not approved for release by the musician’s family. In a statement from the producer, Cunningham shared his excitement to finally drop the track on streaming platforms.
“As complicated and conflicting as posthumous releases can be, I feel I’ll hold this one in a special place due to the fact that I was able to have some small part in connecting two of the most pure and loving people I know,” said Cunningham.
Listen to the full track above.
Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
If you recall earlier this year, the trial for the murder of XXXTENTACION had everyone on the edge of their seats. Moreover, many waited five years since his death to see if he would get at least some form of justice for the killing, and they got it. However, one of the cases most notable developments came from the murderers’ defense lawyers, who tried to claim that Drake organized the whole attack. Furthermore, Boosie Badazz is the latest rapper to toss his hat into the ring of ridicule over that conspiracy. During a recent interview with DJ Vlad, the Baton Rouge MC reflected on that bizarre part of the legal battle.
“You get life if you kill a rapper,” Boosie began. “You ain’t gettin’ no years. Most of the time, especially if you’re this color [Black], you’re getting years. That’s just how it is. That s**t had me dying laughing, bro,” he said of the Drake subpoena attempts when asked by Vlad. “Yeah, they was reaching. I said, man, ‘I know they ain’t finna subpoena no f***in’ Drake.”
Boosie Scoffs At The Idea Of XXXTENTACION Murderers’ Defense Questioning Drake
Of course, the 40-year-old is far from the first person to comment on the defense’s claims from within the industry. Still, perhaps the most relevant and crucial takedown of the whole theory was the judge in the case himself, Michael A. Usan. “What does that have to do with someone who you have no evidence of being involved other than hearsay and innuendo?” Judge Usan scolded defense attorney Mauricio Padilla during one of his arguments. “You are now trying to just drag somebody in who’s a celebrity who does not want to be associated with this. And the harm to that individual is not inconsequential.
“At best, that would be adding an unindicted co-conspirator, if you will. But that’s not a defense to the individuals that are here,” he continued. In other updates concerning the trial, codefendant Robert Allen (who pleaded guilty and testified against his fellow suspects who are now serving life sentences) was recently sentenced to two more years in prison. For the latest updates and news on Boosie, Drake, and XXXTENTACION, stick around on HNHH.
Unfortunately, SoundCloud doesn’t have the same ring as it used to. While it’s still a breeding ground for young artists looking to gain attention, it’s not the in-demand discovery platform for new music that it used to be. However, at its peak, the SoundCloud movement and its many hit rap albums were among the most popular hip-hop trends. From Juice WRLD to XXXTentacion, many artists proved that rap didn’t need to be polished to make it into the mainstream. The grim, jaded quality of their sound sub-versed the genre, a trend tragically cut short by the passing of the two respective artists.
Face tattoos, braided hair, and a dark demeanor became synonymous with the new age of rock stars. Mosh-pits became enraged and downright dangerous amidst tracks such as XXXTentacion’s “Look at Me!” Interestingly, this late 2010s movement wasn’t subject to one region. While South Florida may have been a key region, the movement’s epicenter was the internet. The nature of the SoundCloud platform made for moodier, angst-filled, and emotionally complex songs. With artists being able to hide behind the monger of an alter-ego, the platform encouraged emotional vulnerability for outcasted teenagers and adolescents.
For every forward movement of SoundCloud’s rap albums into the mainstream, there was a counterforce looking to demonize the sound. Many denounced the loose and wild nature of the lyrical content as “mumble rap.” However, detractors of the new wave only strengthened its popularity. It inspired the likes of Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God to rap gravely about their haters. The movement’s first big moment occurred in 2016 when Lil Uzi Vert stood front and center of the year’s XXL magazine annual Freshman issue.
Juice WRLD – Goodbye & Good Riddance (2018)
Of course, several rap albums solidified the validity of the SoundCloud era. Juice WRLD’s Goodbye & Good Riddance was the first project to go global, an 808-induced album surrounding heartbreak and continued drug use. Tracks such as “All Girls Are the Same” and “Lucid Dreams” shot to the top of the Billboard charts, bringing the unhinged lyricism of the SoundCloud generation to hip-hop radio stations nationwide. The project’s self-deprecating lyricism is even more tragic in the context of Juice WRLD’s untimely passing.
Lil Pump rides a jet ski amid an ocean of sinking sports cars on the front cover of 2017’s Lil Pump. While his antics can sometimes make it difficult to take the Miami-born MC seriously, there’s no doubt that his exhilarating self-titled album was a thrill ride perfectly curated for energetic teens. Tracks such as “Boss” and “D Rose” hurl the listener straight into an overheated mosh-pit, making it an ideal listen for late-night benders. Lil Pump is downright goofy from start to finish. A Chat GPT generator could outdo the lyricism. However, that ridiculousness is precisely what made the project resonate with an entire generation of wild teenagers.
Lil Uzi Vert – Lil Uzi Vert Vs The World (2016)
On the surface, Lil Uzi Vert’s rap albums don’t exactly fall into the construct of the SoundCloud scene. If anything, he’s more-so aligned with the traditional sonic tropes of mainstream trap. He’s closer to the worlds of Future and Young Thug than to XXXTentacion or Lil Peep. However, he’s still an electrical product of internet culture. In addition, the success of Lil Uzi Vert vs The World aided the popularity of his contemporaries such as Lil Yachty or Playboi Carti. A mix of seething beats and braggadocios high notes, “Money Longer” and “Ps & Qs” remain among his best songs.
Playboi Carti – Playboi Carti (2017)
Is there a bigger Soundcloud mogul than Playboi Carti? There’s an ongoing joke amongst Carti fans that if your favorite song by him isn’t an obscure leftover that hovers in the depths of SoundCloud, you aren’t a real fan. However, Carti’s unreleased discography is arguably the most iconic in hip-hop. However, the self-titled Playboi Carti brought that psychedelic world of cloud rap to the main stage, riding off of the anthem that is “Magnolia.” Its sound would prove highly influential over the years, pioneering a focused subgenre of Cloud rap that would be fully fledged out with Die Lit.
XXXTentacion – 17 (2017)
The lead single for 17, “Look at Me!,” is likely the most influential SoundCloud-era track ever. XXXTentacion’s unfiltered range resonated with teenage audiences nationwide, capturing his rollercoaster personality. However, that ugly realness didn’t parallel XXXTentacion’s debut album, 17. From “Jocelyn Flores” to “Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares,” his saddening restrain caught fans off guard. He told fans about it before the album’s release, stating, “If you listen to me to get hype or to not think, don’t buy this album.”
Lil Yachty – Lil Boat (2016)
Lil Yachty’s initial sound was a pure creation of the internet. His debut mixtape, Lil Boat, is 40 minutes of pure happiness. It’s hard to put a pin on where the appeal lies. Yachty certainly doesn’t stand out as a lyricist, and the production heavily wears the influences of its era. The appeal of Lil Boat lies in its easy and unbothered nature, sounding as if Yachty is sitting on the couch next to a hefty collection of late-night snacks. The single “One Night” was the cult hit of the record. In essence, the rap album Lil Boat‘s simplicity mirrors many of the SoundCloud era’s appealing elements.
Last month three of the four men convicted of cowardly murdering rapper XXXTentacion were sentenced to life in prison after a grueling trial. Now the fourth man who testified against his three friends, will spend just two years in prison.
The AP reports:
A Florida man who testified against three former friends who murdered rising rap star XXXTentacion during a robbery five years ago will spend the next two years in prison, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Circuit Judge Michael Usan sentenced Robert Allen to seven years in prison, with credit for the five years he has already spent at the Broward County jail. He will then spend 20 years on probation. He could have received a life sentence.
Allen, 27, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder and testified earlier this year against Michael Boatwright, 27, Dedrick Williams, 27, and Trayvon Newsome, 25. They were convicted of first-degree murder in March and sentenced to life in prison.
During the month long trial, prosecutors linked Allen, Boatwright, Williams and Newsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store. They stole $50,000 and made cellphone videos hours after the shooting showing them flashing fistfuls of $100 bills.
Robert Allen, the individual who provided crucial testimony against three former friends involved in the murder of the late rapper XXXTentacion, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by Circuit Judge Michael Usan. Plea Deal & Sentencing Robert Allen, who testified against his former associates in XXXTentacion’s murder case, received a plea deal resulting […]
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.
Juice WRLD, XXXTentacion, and Drake have topped the list of rappers with the most streams per song. All three artists topped 200 million streams per song on Spotify. Even with Spotify’s well-known low payout, the artists are earning quite a bit from numbers like that. Rounding out the list with just under 200 million are Travis Scott, Pop Smoke, and Kendrick Lamar, who all have upwards of 150 million streams per song. It is worth noting that both Juice and X achieved this record-breaking moment several years after they passed.
Whether or not their untimely deaths have anything to do with their streaming numbers cannot be confirmed. However, it is clear that the high number of streams per song shows just how much both Juice and X were loved by their fans. The pair were both poised to be huge names in the industry, but their lives were tragically cut short. Still, their staying power shows what an incredible impact they had in the time that they spent making music.
Juice WRLD Continues To Break Records Posthumously
Despite passing away prematurely, Juice WRLD’s music career has continued to achieve significant milestones. Just a few weeks ago, it was revealed that the rapper had exceeded 30 billion streams on Spotify alone. This established him as one of the most streamed artists ever. When you consider other platforms, it is difficult to imagine how many streams Juice has accumulated. Recently, Cole Bennet, Juice’s close friend and collaborator, celebrated a personal achievement in their careers. He announced on Instagram that the first music video he had ever directed for Juice had reached 300 million views on YouTube.
Juice WRLD’s untimely death was a tremendous loss to the music industry and the community at large. He had emerged as one of the fastest-rising stars on the scene. Since his passing, the rapper’s music has only grown in popularity. In 2021, the RIAA announced that the rapper had received 50 new gold and platinum song certifications posthumously. His 2018 single “Lucid Dreams” has been certified 9x platinum. What do you think of Juice’s place atop the most streamed rappers? Is there someone else you think should be there? Let us know in the comments!
