XXX (Kendrick Lamar song)
129ms
XXX. It's a track from Kendrick Lamar's 2017 album, Damn. Released on April 14th, it's the eleventh song on the standard edition, or fourth on the Collector's Edition. The minds behind it include Lamar himself, Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Anthony Tiffith, and an unexpected collaboration with the legendary Irish rock band U2 – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. The production is a powerhouse trio of Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, and Sounwave, with extra touches from Top Dawg and Bēkon. And yes, it samples Bēkon's "America" and U2's "American Soul."
Even without a single release, "XXX." made waves internationally in 2017. It charted in Ireland, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, and Sweden. While its chart run was brief in some countries – just one week in New Zealand, Sweden, and the UK – it lingered for three weeks in Ireland and the US, and a solid four weeks in Canada. Its peak performance? Number 22 on Ireland's main music chart.
The lyrics of "XXX." are a bold declaration, speaking truth directly to power. Violence, revenge, and their deep impact on the American political landscape are central themes. Lamar opens with a fierce declaration of what he'd do if his family were threatened. Then, Bono’s voice cuts through, delivering a powerful refrain that anchors the latter half of the song. Lamar even throws in references to current and former US Presidents, remarking, "Donald Trump's in office; we lost Barack, and promised to never doubt him again."
Religious undertones are woven throughout, like the striking image of "throw a steak off the ark to a pool full of sharks," a clear nod to Noah's Ark. Lamar also expresses vulnerability and a plea for guidance, asking, "K-Dot can you pray for me?" and "I know that you anointed, show me how to overcome," positioning himself as someone seeking divine favor. The song also revisits the theme of youth caught in the crossfire of gang culture, reminiscent of his earlier track "Little Johnny."
Critics showered "XXX." with praise. Spin’s Ian Servantes declared it "damn good." Steven Hyden of Uproxx found U2's contribution "very un-U2-like," but in the best way. Reggie Ugwu of Buzzfeed News described it as a "hard-hitting, shapeshifting elegy." Alexis Rhiannon of Bustle highlighted the dense lyrical content, noting how the contrast between U2's interludes and Lamar's verses effectively conveys his "loss of faith in the system." She also lauded Lamar's passionate vocal delivery, pointing out how it underscores the diverse realities of the American experience. The Diamondback echoed this sentiment, commending the track's messaging: Lamar's frustration with violence and gun politics juxtaposed with his own threats of retribution. They also noted Lamar’s exploration of the "meaning of perfection" within the song.
Kendrick Lamar brought "XXX." to life on stage, notably at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2017, without U2. He also performed it on the Damn tour. A standout moment was at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in January 2018, where he performed with U2 and Dave Chappelle, who added a brief interlude. Lamar and U2 performed an excerpt before transitioning into "DNA." His performances often incorporated other tracks, like "New Freezer" and "King's Dead," and he utilized visual screens to emphasize his message, even stating, "THIS IS A SATIRE BY KENDRICK LAMAR." He also featured a visual backdrop during his performance at the 2018 Reading Festival.
The credits for this powerful track are extensive. Kendrick Duckworth himself is credited for songwriting and additional keys. Mike Will Made It, Dacoury Natche (DJ Dahi), and Mark Spears (Sounwave) are credited for songwriting and production. Anthony "Topdawg" Tiffith contributed as a songwriter and producer. The U2 members – Paul Hewson (Bono) for songwriting and vocals, David Evans (The Edge) for songwriting, Adam Clayton for songwriting, and Larry Mullen Jr. for songwriting – are also listed. Bēkon provided additional production and vocals, with Kid Capri adding additional vocals. The mixing team included Derek Ali, with Tyler Page and Cyrus Taghipour as mix assistants. Zeke Mishanic and Brendan Silas Perry handled additional recording.
"XXX" (stylized as "XXX.", pronounced "X-Rated") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The eleventh track on the album (fourth on the Collector's Edition of Damn), the song was written by Lamar, Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, Mark Spears a.k.a. Sounwave, Anthony Tiffith, Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., and produced by Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, and Sounwave, with additional production by Top Dawg and Bēkon. The song features samples of the songs "America" by Bēkon and "American Soul" by Irish rock band U2.
Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017. These countries include Ireland, New Zealand, United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, and Sweden. Though it only appeared for 1 week for the New Zealand, Sweden, and United Kingdom charts, it stayed for 3 weeks on Ireland and United States charts, and remained on the Canada music charts for 4 weeks. The highest the song ever reached on any country's primary music chart was at number 22 in Ireland.
== Composition ==
The lyrics of "XXX" are about speaking truth to power. Some of its primary themes include violence, revenge, as well as the effect of those themes upon the political system in the United States of America. The first verse has Lamar talking about what he would do if anything happened to his family. The chorus then features Bono, the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, singing a prominent refrain in the latter half of the song. Lamar also references then U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama in the lyric, "Donald Trump's in office; we lost Barack, and promised to never doubt him again".
The song also features religious references in multiple lyrics, including "throw a steak off the ark to a pool full of sharks" to reference the common biblical story of Noah's Ark. As well, he states "K-Dot can you pray for me?" and "I know that you anointed, show me how to overcome" within one verse to showcase himself as one who acts in the Lord's favor. The song also features lines mentioning a character of "Johnny," much like his 2011 track "Little Johnny," about a boy who falls privy to gang culture.
== Critical reception ==
"XXX" received widespread acclaim from music critics. Ian Servantes of Spin called the song "damn good." Steven Hyden of Uproxx said that U2's cameo was "very un-U2-like" but in a good way. Reggie Ugwu of Buzzfeed News examined "XXX" as a whole track, stating that the song is a "hard-hitting, shapeshifting elegy" in how it relays its messages.
Journalist Alexis Rhiannon of Bustle states that there is a "whole lot to absorb" within the lyrics of the song. She cites how the use of juxtaposition between U2's interludes and Lamar's own verses makes Lamar's statements in the song about "his loss of faith in the system" able to be understood. Rhiannon also complimented Lamar's vocal performance in the song, stating "the fire in his voice points out how the American experience differs wildly from individual to individual."
The Diamondback news source paid compliments to the track, commending its messaging and stating "he’s [Lamar] fed up with violence and gun politics, but in the same breath threatens to pick off those who challenge him." The Diamondback also spoke further on the theming of the song, stating that Lamar "wrestles with the meaning of perfection" within this track.
== Live performances ==
Lamar performed "XXX" live, without U2, at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017. Lamar has performed "XXX" on the Damn tour. Lamar performed "XXX" live with U2 and Dave Chappelle at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in January 2018, with Chapelle offering a brief interlude to be mixed into the live song. Lamar and U2 performed an excerpt before transferring into a verse from "DNA". Lamar also mixed two other songs into his performance, including "New Freezer," a feature Lamar did with Rich the Kid, as well as an excerpt from his song "King's Dead" from the "Black Panther Soundtrack." Lamar utilized a visual screen in the performance to state "THIS IS A SATIRE BY KENDRICK LAMAR." Lamar also performed XXX with assistance of a visual backdrop at the 2018 Reading Festival.
== Credits and personnel ==
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.
Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter, additional keys
Mike Will Made It – songwriter, producer
Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer
Mark Spears – songwriter, producer
Anthony "Topdawg" Tiffith – songwriter, producer
Paul Hewson (Bono) – songwriter, voice
David Evans (The Edge) – songwriter
Adam Clayton – songwriter
Larry Mullen Jr. – songwriter
Bēkon – additional production and vocals
Kid Capri – additional vocals
Derek Ali – mixing
Tyler Page – mix assistant
Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
Zeke Mishanic – additional recording
Brendan Silas Perry – additional recording
== Charts ==
== Certifications ==
== References ==
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