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April 27, 2024 1 min
Released in 2018, "Sad!" was one of the final singles by American rapper XXXTentacion before his tragic death at age 20. The song reflects on feelings of heartbreak, betrayal and depression. Backed by a slow, melancholy piano melody, the lyrics express anguish over a failed relationship. XXXTentacion's delivery alternates between singing and rapping, conveying a sense of emotional pain and inner turmoil. "Sad!" became XXXTentacion's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 after his passing, and is one of the most successful posthumous releases in hip hop history. The single is certified Diamond by the RIAA for selling over 10 million units in the US. The song's music video, filmed before his death, is one of the most viewed on YouTube with over 1 billion views. In the video, XXXTentacion attends his own funeral and fights his resurrected self, depicting an inner struggle. "Sad!" resonated strongly with XXXTentacion's fans and a youth audience for its raw, honest look at mental health issues and heartbreak. The song remains one of the late rapper's most popular and recognizable releases, emblematic of his introspective and emotionally charged style. It's considered a landmark emo rap track that helped propel that emerging subgenre into the mainstream. However, the song's legacy is complicated by the allegations of violence and abuse against XXXTentacion. Some critics argue this context makes it harder to sympathize with his expressions of pain and vulnerability on tracks like "Sad!". Others believe it's still important to engage with the art on its own terms. In any case, "Sad!" had an undeniable cultural impact and remains an influential part of XXXTentacion's body of work.
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