LOS ANGELES–Bad Vibes Forever and Empire unleash XXXTentacion’s anxiously awaited third full-length album, ‘Skins.’
The first posthumous release from the iconic artist and generational voice catapulted to #1 on iTunes Overall Top Albums Chart, #1 on Apple Music chart. Given the excitement, all signs point to another massive debut from the late superstar, paving the way for his third consecutive Top 5 bow on the Billboard Top 200 in under 15 months.
To celebrate the release, the XXXTentacion Foundation and Empire hosted the star-studded “Skins” album release party and concert at RC Cola Plant in Miami, Florida during Art Basel last night. Produced by Swarm and powered by 1 AM, the once-in-a-lifetime event featured surprise appearances on stage by none other than Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
West brought the house down with an explosive performance of his Skins banger “One Minute,” while Wayne ignited a singalong on his tearful rendition of Tha Carter V standout and XXXTentacion collaboration, “Don’t Cry.” Other performers included Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, PnB Rock, Matt Ox, and Member’s Only, to name a few. Speaking to causes close to the artist’s heart, a portion of ticket sale proceeds will benefit local Florida organizations supporting homeless shelters, single mothers and at-risk youth.
Adding another dimension to “One Minute,” Yeezy debuted a 3-piece merch capsule, printed on YEEZY blanks, featuring graphics by JJ Villard, and it sold out immediately during the event. Additionally, Bravado curated a limited-edition “Skins” collection inspired by the album exclusively available at the show.
Rounding out a legendary year, XXXTentacion emerges among the “Top Three Most-Streamed Artists on Spotify” for 2018. This places him in a league with fellow stars Drake and Post Malone. Despite his removal from the platform’s playlisting for a period this spring, X still staked out a spot among the Top 3 artists worldwide. Additionally, XXXTentacion, John Cunningham and X’s manager Solomon Sobande were honored in Variety Magazine’s 2018 Hitmaker issue for their work on “SAD!,” which is this year’s third most popular song according to BuzzAngle Music.
Out now, “Skins” offers up a fitting swan song for the young legend. These ten tracks tap into the unbridled, unbreakable, and undeniable catharsis that endeared XXXTentacion to millions worldwide.
The glitchy choir of “Guardian angel” gives way to some of his most precise and potent rapping, hinging on rapid fire rhymes. Haunting piano burns against his emotive lyricism on the steamrolling of “Train food” as he offers up a detailed and diaristic confession, “I was lost.”
“Staring at the Sky” snaps from an acoustic moan into a thunderous scream backed by drums from none other than blink-182’s Travis Barker. Over ominous guitars, Kanye West locks into a pummeling duet with XXXTentacion on the rap/rock mash-up “One Minute,” also featuring Barker’s percussive talents. Everything culminates on the delicate and dark dreamscape of “what are you so afraid of.” A faint acoustic murmurs beneath his soulful delivery on the final question, “What are you so afraid of? Is it love?”
The first single “BAD!” preceded the record, clocking over 200 million YouTube views in three weeks. It also debuted at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is pending RIAA gold certification. “Skins” showcases a true artist at the height of his powers only growing stronger. He cuts deeper than ever with “Skins.”
XXXTentacion remains the voice of his generation. In 2017, he unleashed his debut 17, which bowed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and went RIAA platinum. Less than six months later, his second album, bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, went platinum, yielded 5.2 billion global streams, and achieved sales of 3.2 million global equivalent albums. Among its stacked track listing, the record boasted “SAD!” (4x-platinum), “Moonlight” (2x-platinum), and “Changes”(2x-platinum). In 2018, the BET Hip Hop Awards crowned him “Best New Hip Hop Artist” as 17 earned “Favorite Album – Soul/R&B” at the American Music Awards. He can count Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Camila Cabello, and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx amongst his supporters and admirers as well. His influence and impact only continue to grow.
