EntertainmentAmerican1998 – 2018

XXXTentacion

Rapper, singer; 'Look at Me!', '17', pioneering emo-rap

Biography

XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy on January 23, 1998, in Deerfield Beach, Florida, was an American rapper and singer who became one of the most influential artists of the late 2010s. Rising to prominence through SoundCloud, he gained international recognition with his debut album '17' (2017) and follow-up '?' (2018), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Known for his genre-blending approach that merged rap, emo, rock, and R&B, XXXTentacion created a deeply emotional and often introspective body of work that resonated particularly with younger audiences. His music often explored themes of depression, heartbreak, and inner turmoil with a raw honesty that felt innovative for the rap genre. Despite his musical talent, he was involved in several legal controversies. He was tragically murdered on June 18, 2018, at age 20 during an armed robbery in Deerfield Beach. His posthumous influence has only grown, with multiple posthumous albums released from unreleased material, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in modern hip-hop and alternative music.

The Name Jahseh

Jahseh is a very uncommon first name, with XXXTentacion being the most culturally significant person to bear it, making the name strongly associated with his musical legacy and the emo-rap movement of the 2010s.

Quick Facts

Jahseh

American origin

“A short, punchy name combining Jah- with -seh, offering simplicity and directness with spiritual grounding. The brevity gives it an impactful, memorable quality while the Jah- prefix connects it to deeper cultural and spiritual traditions.”