XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, emerged as a formidable and controversial figure in his generation’s rap scene. His music, often raw and emotionally charged, explored themes such as depression, violence, and alienation. Known for his genre-bending style, he experimented with emo, rock, trap, and lo-fi, earning him both admiration for his authenticity and versatility and criticism for his legal issues and abusive behavior.
His life was tragically cut short when he was shot and killed in a robbery on June 18, 2018, at the tender age of 20. Nevertheless, he left an indelible musical legacy that continues to resonate with millions of fans globally. But what was XXXTentacion’s net worth before his untimely death? And how did he amass his wealth?
Early Life and Ascendance to Fame
Born on January 23, 1998, in Plantation, Florida, Onfroy was of diverse descent, including Jamaican, Egyptian, Italian, Indian, and Syrian roots. His early life was challenging, marked by poverty and violence. Raised predominantly by his grandmother while his mother battled drug addiction and financial instability, he began displaying aggressive and antisocial tendencies at a young age. His difficult behavior led to expulsion from several schools and involvement in unlawful activities such as car and gun thefts.
Nonetheless, his love for music flourished during this turbulent period. Onfroy was drawn to the school and later church choirs, influenced by iconic figures like Tupac Shakur, Nirvana, The Notorious B.I.G., and Three Days Grace. He self-taught himself to play guitar and piano and embarked on his musical journey in 2013 under the moniker XXXTentacion. His initial tracks were posted on SoundCloud, earning him a dedicated fan base. Although his first song “News/Flock” was eventually deleted, his debut EP, The Fall, released in 2014, kickstarted his career.
Alongside other rappers like Ski Mask the Slump God, Craig Xen, and Wifisfuneral, he founded a group named Members Only. They collaborated on multiple mixtapes, including Members Only Vol. 1 (2015), Members Only Vol. 2 (2015), and Members Only Vol. 3 (2017). Simultaneously, XXXTentacion continued his solo endeavors with projects like Ice Hotel (2014), Willy Wonka Was a Child Murderer (2016), Revenge (2017), and Free X (2017).
His mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single “Look at Me”. The track quickly gained internet traction, climbing to number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and receiving a platinum certification from the RIAA. However, it wasn’t without controversy due to its explicit lyrics and allegations of sample theft from another artist.
Rise to Stardom and Controversies
In August 2017, XXXTentacion inked a $6 million distribution agreement with Empire Distribution. Later that month, he unveiled his debut studio album, 17, to considerable critical acclaim for its introspective and emotionally resonant tracks. The album made an impressive debut at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 86,000 units in its first week, and subsequently attained platinum status from the RIAA.
However, his escalating fame was shadowed by a series of legal entanglements and public criticism for his involvement in various acts of violence. In October 2016, he was apprehended for allegedly attacking his then-pregnant girlfriend, leading to charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness tampering. Although he pleaded not guilty, he was placed under house arrest in December 2017.
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Other allegations against him included assaulting a concertgoer in June 2017, instigating a stabbing incident involving eight people in October 2016, robbing a music producer in May 2016, and assaulting a gay cellmate while in juvenile detention in 2015. He vehemently denied most of these accusations, contending he was being persecuted by both the media and the justice system.
In addition, he engaged in disputes with other rappers, including Drake, Rob Stone, Migos, Offset, Trippie Redd, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, and Ski Mask the Slump God, often expressing his disapproval through social media or in his lyrics.
Despite the swirl of controversy that followed him, XXXTentacion maintained his dedication to music, expanding his fanbase further. He launched his second studio album, ?, on March 16, 2018, featuring artists like Joey Bada$$, Travis Barker, PnB Rock, among others. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 131,000 units in its first week, also earning a platinum certification from the RIAA.
The album produced several chart-topping singles, such as “Sad!”, “Changes”, “Moonlight”, and “Jocelyn Flores”. His track “Sad!” reached a milestone when it became his highest-charting song, securing the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart posthumously. Additionally, it achieved diamond status from the RIAA, making XXXTentacion the first artist to be posthumously honored with this achievement.
Tragic Passing and Posthumous Releases
On June 18, 2018, tragedy struck when XXXTentacion was fatally shot by two armed assailants outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The 20-year-old rapper was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead. The shooting’s motive was believed to be a robbery, with the attackers taking a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 from his car. Four individuals were eventually apprehended and charged with his murder.
The news of his death resonated deeply with fans, family, friends, and fellow artists, leaving many in shock and mourning. Tributes poured in from celebrities on social media platforms and through music. His funeral, held on June 27, 2018, at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, saw thousands of fans attending the public memorial service to bid their final farewells.
In the aftermath of his death, there was a substantial surge in his music sales and streams. In June 2018, XXXTentacion broke the record previously held by Taylor Swift to become the most-streamed artist on Spotify. He also received several posthumous accolades, including the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album for ’17’, the BET Hip Hop Award for Best New Hip Hop Artist, and the Billboard Music Award for Top R&B Album for ‘?’.
Posthumously, his estate released several projects, including ‘Skins’ (2018), ‘Members Only Vol. 4’ (2019), ‘Bad Vibes Forever’ (2019), and ‘XXXTentacion Presents: Revenge’ (2020). These albums saw collaborations with numerous prominent artists such as Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Lil Pump, Blink-182, Tory Lanez, Rick Ross, among others.
XXTentacion’s Financial Worth in 2023
At the time of his untimely demise, XXXTentacion’s net worth was reported to be $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, other sources propose that this figure could be higher or lower, contingent on his tangible assets and outstanding liabilities.
His music career served as his primary revenue stream, with earnings stemming from album sales, streams, downloads, concerts, merchandising, and endorsement deals. Notably, he had entered into a $10 million record contract with Empire Distribution shortly before his passing.
Among his major expenditures were his legal costs, tax payments, philanthropic donations, and living expenses. In addition to these, he left behind a son, Gekyume Onfroy, who was born to his girlfriend, Jenesis Sanchez, seven months after his death. His estate is currently overseen by his mother, Cleopatra Bernard, and his brother, Aiden Onfroy.
Despite his turbulent and controversial life, XXXTentacion’s imprint on the music industry and wider culture is undeniable. His devoted fanbase stood by him through thick and thin. Although his life was cut short tragically, his enduring legacy continues to resonate through his music and his son.
