AFTER Xxxtentacion met Ski Mask the Slump God behind bars, and the pair would go on
to develop a close friendship and collaborate on countless songs
AFTER X blew up as an iconic soundcloud rapper, charting billboard with tracks like Jocelyn
Flores, Fuck Love, Take A Step Back, Revenge, and Look At Me
AFTER X would grow a massive fanbase from behind bars, become a 2017 XXL freshman, and
sign deals with major labels...but then take to Instagram to announce that he would be
calling it quits
X has been a controversial figure in the world of soundcloud rap, ever since he entered the
spot light.
He's had more than his fair share of beefs, legal troubles, and incidents during performances.
He shocked the word introducing this radical new look.
And now, just a few weeks later, he's shocked his fans even more with his decision to quit
music.
So why is he throwing in the towel?
Well, the main reason seems to be a falling out between him and his closest friend and
collaborator, Ski Mask the Slump God.
X has stated that he would make new music if Ski Mask will be his friend again.
I happen to have the Slump God's phone number.
So, I decided that I would do whatever I could to repair the bromance.
What's going on guys?
My name's Michael McCrudden, documenting the life and career of XXXtentacion AFTER his
initial rise to fame, here for you on After They Were Famous.
I've covered the come up stories of both X and Ski Mask on Before They Were Famous videos,
so be sure to check those out.
But let me know who you want me to document next in the comments down below.
Also remember to follow me on twitter and instagram, at McCrudden M.
XXXtentacion was born Jahseh Onfroy in Plantation, Florida, on January 23rd, 1998.
He was raised primarily by his mother, and later his grandmother after he was kicked
out of his mom's house.
He developed a strong interest in music, listening to both hip hop and rock acts.
His aunt helped to encourage his budding musical skills, and got him singing lessons.
He also learned how to play the guitar and the piano.
But despite having music as a consistent outlet throughout his life, much of his childhood
was troubled.
While his relationship with her was generally positive, X claims she mentally abused him.
While he was a child, one of her boyfriends physically abused her, prompting X to attack
him.
X would also bring violence into the school yard, often getting into brawls, which lead
to him getting expelled from Margaret Middle School.
He got kicked out of at least one other school for fighting, and at one point was put in
a behavioural correction facility called the Sharing House, and spent 9 months at the boot
camp.
In his teens, X racked up a slew of charges including armed robbery, possession of a fire
arm, resisting arrest, and possession of narcotics.
He was targeted by drive by shootings, and took a bullet in the shoulder.
And after dropping his first song, Vice City, in March of 2014, he was sent to a youth detention
centre for gun possession.
It was here that he would meet the man with whom he would develop a close friendship and
working relationship.
The two became friends in prison, bonding over their love of music and their shared
ambition to become recording artists.
According to Ski Mask, both artists learned from each other.
X taught Ski Mask to be more aggressive and confident in his rapping.
And Ski taught X to have a smoother, more natural flow.
Once they both got out, they formed the Very Rare collective, and started to bubble up
on Soundcloud.
But just as X's career began to take off, he was arrested again, in July of 2016, this
time on charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
While on the inside, the hashtag free x would trend.
X posted bail, but on October 8th of the same year, he was arrested again, this time on
a string of domestic abuse related charges.
X was accused of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation,
false imprisonment, and witness-tampering.
While in jail, X would get involved with a beef with Drake over Drake apparently stealing
the flow of X's song Look at Me for his song KMT.
At the same time, Ski Mask would get involved in a feud with Rob Stone, which would turn
violent.
Ski would be attacked during a performance, X would get involved in the beef himself,
defending his friend.
After his release from jail, he too, would be assaulted on stage.
But these wouldn't be the only act of violence occurring at an XXXtENTACION show.
In June of 2017, he punched an audience member during a show in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A few days later, he cancelled a show last minute in Chicago, which nearly caused a riot.
After the August release of his debut studio album, 17, he held a free show in Tampa at
a venue only large enough for 750 people.
When over 3000 showed up, the venue cancelled the concert, leading to fans having to be
dispersed by police.
All the while, X's pending domestic abuse charges would continue to mar his reputation.
With his trial then set for October of 2017, Pitchfork got their hands on the alleged victim's
deposition, and published a grim timeline of their relationship.
According to that, X threatened to penetrate her with a barbeque implement, beat her with
hangers, locked her in a room for two days, threatened to cut out her tongue, put a knife
to her throat, and threatened to murder her on a nearly daily basis.
On top of this, again according to that Pitchfork article, he also repeatedly slapped, punched,
elbowed, choked, tacked and head butt her, all while she was allegedly pregnant.
X of course, denies all of the accusations, and frustrated with the way he was being portrayed
in the media, posted to instagram,
“I will not have fabricated stories pushed on me, and have people trying to make me submissive
off some shit I ain't do, I'm good.”
He would go on to delete everything off his Instagram page, and post a new picture of
himself in late september, sporting his new look: eye brows shaved, dreds grey, and with
a brand new forehead tattoo of a tree.
But despite all the negative attention X was getting, he would continue to reap the rewards
of his loyal fan base.
His fans voted him into the 10th spot on XXL's 2017 Freshman Class List.
His debut studio album, 17, debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 88 thousand
units in its first week.
And it wasn't long before major labels would be knocking down his door.
On October 19th, 2017, Billboard reported that XXXtentacion signed a 6 million dollar
record deal with the Capitol Music Group indie label, Caroline.
Later that day, Variety reported that a source close to the deal said that the dollar figure
is likely overstated, that it was a distribution deal, and the artist was not being signed
directly to the label.
Variety also claimed that it was unclear whether the deal was actually completed.
Still, it seemed like good news for X, but it signalled the beginning of a downward spiral.
About a week later, X took to Instagram to post,
“Terminating my deal with 'capital records' I am not a 'signed' artist, and I will not
be releasing music for a very long time, I'm tired of this shit”
He would go on to post,
"Sad to announce I will not be making or releasing any music, I am tired of being mentally abused
for trying to help people, I'm tired of the hate, I'm done."
X has claimed that he even has a whole project completed and ready to release, but he's not
releasing it.
He also warned fans to download his music while they still can, because he was planning
to delete all his songs off Sound Cloud.
So why would one of the fastest rising rappers decide to suddenly give up?
Well, there could be many factors at play here, but the main reason seems to be more
personal than professional.
Specifically, his relationship with his closest associate, Ski Mask the Slump God.
During an instagram live session with his fans, X went into further details about why
he and Ski Mask were having issues.
He said,
“It was just, I guess, a lack of appreciation on his end, not because of me.
I guess just from a business perspective.
But he put a business perspective before a personal relationship.
And I've been with him as a friend and as a brother for a very long time.”
He went on to say that the relationship mattered to him, but that,
“People use you to go where they want to go and then part ways, and I've been used
a lot, if you haven't noticed.”
In the same live stream, he was asked who his favourite rapper is.
As for Ski Mask's side of the story, he explained that there were two reasons for wanting to
distance himself.
The first is to distinguish himself as an individual.
Sure enough, Ski Mask is often painted as X's side kick.
The two developed their careers together, and collaborated on ton of work.
Sure, it's been a fruitful relationship, but it's hard to find an interview with Ski where
he isn't asked about X.
That's gotta be frustrating, considering how talented Ski Mask is in his own right.
I mean, the guy can obviously spit.
The other reason Ski wanted a break from X?
He probably didn't mean much by that, although it might be a subtle reference to some of
X's erratic behaviour.
Like his drastic change in appearance, when he dyed his dreads grey, shaved his eyebrows
off, and got a forehead tattoo of a tree.
Or, perhaps the brutal acts of domestic abuse that X is alleged to have committed.
(X's trail, by the way, is now scheduled to begin on December 11th).
But in the end, Ski Mask has been clear about his feelings toward X.
So the issue seems simple to me.
Xxxtentacion just wants Ski Mask to be his friend again.
Ski Mask just wants to spend some time not working with X, but says he will always love
him.
So, why can't they just be friends but not work together for a little bit?
I called Ski Mask to ask if he would agree to do that, and here's what happened.
At the time of this recording, I have not heard back from the Slump God.
But I'm sure the message resonated with him.
So, if you guys ever see X release music ever again,
it's safe to say that means my message got through to the guys.
But, when that day comes, no need to thank me.
I do it for the people.
As for the rest of the story, well, we'll have to wait and see.
This is After They Were Famous.
My name's Michael McCrudden.
Thanks for watching this video.
I've got two suggestions for you down here, hit subscribe and let me know who's next in
the comments down below.
And you can always find me on twitter or instagram, at McCrudden M.