Rapper’s postmortem album leaves fans wanting more

Rapper XXXTENTACION’s posthumous album comes out on Dec. 7.

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Album cover for X’s new album features him looking into the distance.

Hudson Murphy, Entertainment Editor

Last June, Jahseh Onfroy (XXXTENTACION) was shot and killed in his home state of Florida, leaving his fans shocked and confused on how it all happened. Following his death XXXTENTACION, or X, was in the news for many reasons. Not only was he one of the hottest charting artists in the past year as he shot up to fame, but he also had much controversy surrounding his name due to his domestic abuse charges. Since then, the charges were dropped due to his death, making him innocent in the name of the law.

It’s been nearly six months since X was murdered, and now his mother and record label have decided to release his saved music in his third studio album, Skins. The album opens up with the song Guardian Angel which is one of my favorites. It features the reversal of the instrumental of one of his most popular songs, Jocelyn Flores and he gives bars illustrating the effects that death has on a person.

The next song, Train Food, is probably the best lyrical track on the album where he tells a story of a person who is trying to be killed on a train. This is the fist song I can remember when X does a storytelling song, and I’d say it was pretty alluring to listen to. The last three songs on the album, difference, I don’t let go, and what are you so afraid of, all take a turn that’s more somber than the rest. They all sound like songs that could’ve been on his 17 album, as they take on a more depressing tone.

Although those songs were pretty good for me, there were also a couple I just didn’t enjoy. The song One minute featuring Kanye West was very disappointing as Kanye just didn’t deliver with his contribution and X’s verse went back to his soundcloud screaming days which I’ve never been the biggest fan of. Also the album just seems how it probably was, unfinished. The songs seem like they’re just missing something that they would’ve had if X was able to be there to complete them.

Even though this album is probably his worst it’s really not his fault. I’m sure that if X were alive this album would be much cleaner and have better quality songs. Even without that though the album may have a couple songs you may enjoy listening to. I had a couple favorites after listening to the project and the album didn’t make me think any less of X’s music. Overall it is important to listen to this album if you have any interest in his music because this is the last of his artistic work.

Rating- 5.8/10