XXX (Kendrick Lamar song)

Last updated
"XXX"
Song by Kendrick Lamar featuring U2
from the album Damn
Recorded2017
Studio Jungle City Studios
Genre Progressive rap [1]
Length4:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mike Will Made It
  • DJ Dahi
  • Sounwave
  • Top Dawg
  • Bēkon
  • Jacknife Lee
  • Jolyon Thomas

"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), [3] 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. [4] [5] 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. [6] 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. [6] The highest the song ever reached on any country's primary music chart was at number 22 in Ireland. [6]

Contents

Composition

The lyrics of "XXX" are about speaking truth to power. [7] 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. [8] The first verse has Lamar talking about what he would do if anything happened to his family. [9] The chorus then features Bono, the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, singing a prominent refrain in the latter half of the song. [4] Lamar also references then-former 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". [10] 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. [11] 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. [11] 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. [11] [12]

Critical reception

"XXX" received widespread acclaim from music critics. Ian Servantes of Spin called the song "damn good." [10] Steven Hyden of Uproxx said that U2's cameo was "very un-U2-like" but in a good way. [13]

Journalist Alexis Rhiannon of Bustle states that there is a "whole lot to absorb" within the lyrics of the song. [7] 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. [7] 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." [7]

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." [14] The Diamondback also spoke further on the theming of the song, stating that Lamar "wrestles with the meaning of perfection" within this track. [14]

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.

Live performances

Lamar performed "XXX" live, without U2, [15] at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017. [16] Lamar has performed "XXX" on the Damn tour. [17] 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. [18] Lamar and U2 performed an excerpt before transferring into a verse from "DNA". [18] 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." [19] Lamar utilized a visual screen in the performance to state "THIS IS A SATIRE BY KENDRICK LAMAR." [19] Lamar also performed XXX with assistance of a visual backdrop at the 2018 Reading Festival. [20]

Credits and personnel

The four members of U2, the Irish rock band active since the 1970s, had never been featured on a hip hop song until their collaboration with Lamar on "XXX". U2 curtain call in Glasgow 11-7-2015.jpg
The four members of U2, the Irish rock band active since the 1970s, had never been featured on a hip hop song until their collaboration with Lamar on "XXX".

Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet. [2]

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [21] 36
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [22] 78
France (SNEP) [23] 126
Ireland (IRMA) [24] 22
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [25] 60
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [26] 31
Portugal (AFP) [27] 30
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [28] 46
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [29] 82
UK Singles (OCC) [30] 50
US Billboard Hot 100 [31] 33
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [32] 19
US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard ) [33] 15

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [34] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [35] Platinum80,000‡
United States (RIAA) [36] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2 discography</span>

The discography of the Irish rock band U2 consists of 15 studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, 84 singles, and nine extended plays (EPs). The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 as teenagers. In 1979, the group issued their first release, the EP U2-3, which sold well in Ireland. The following year, the group signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Boy. It reached number 52 in the UK and number 63 in the US. They followed it up with the release of October (1981) and War (1983). War was a commercial success, becoming the band's first number-one album in the UK while reaching number 12 in the US. The album yielded the singles "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day", the latter two have since become among the band's most popular songs. On the subsequent War Tour, the group recorded the live album Under a Blood Red Sky and concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks, both of which sold well and helped establish them globally as a live act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Kunta</span> 2015 single by Kendrick Lamar

"King Kunta" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar, taken from his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). It was released as the album's third single on March 24, 2015. Lamar co-wrote the song with Thundercat, while Terrace Martin, Michael Kuhle, and Sounwave served as producers. The song features interpolations and references to lyrics written by Michael Jackson, James Brown, Fred Wesley, John Starks, Ahmad, Redfoo, and Johnny Burns, who are all credited as songwriters.

Dacoury Dahi Natche, professionally known as DJ Dahi, is an American record producer, songwriter, disc jockey and singer from Inglewood, California. Working primarily in hip hop and R&B music, Dahi is best known for producing "Money Trees" by Kendrick Lamar, “Worst Behavior" by Drake, and "I Don't Fuck with You" by Big Sean, which reached the top 20 of the US Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mask Off</span> 2017 single by Future

"Mask Off" is a song by American rapper Future for his eponymous fifth studio album Future (2017). The track was later released as the second single after initially charting as an album track and receiving more popularity than the lead single "Draco". It was Future's highest-charting single, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, until the releases of "Life Is Good" (2020), "Way 2 Sexy" (2021), and "Wait for U" (2022), with the former peaking at number two, and the latter two peaking at number one. The song was also his highest charting solo song until "Puffin on Zootiez" (2022) peaked at number four. A remix featuring Kendrick Lamar, was released on June 16, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humble (song)</span> 2017 single by Kendrick Lamar

"Humble" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 30, 2017, along with its music video, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The song was written by Lamar and producers Mike Will Made It and Pluss. The lyrics are a call to humility. It was provided to rhythmic contemporary radio as the lead single from Lamar's fourth studio album, Damn.

<i>Damn</i> (Kendrick Lamar album) 2017 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

Damn is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. Released on April 14, 2017, through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, critical accolades followed including a Pulitzer Prize for Music and the Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. The album features guest appearances from Rihanna, Zacari, and U2.

"Blood" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. As the opening track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, Daniel Tannenbaum, and Anthony Tiffith, and produced by Bēkon and Tiffith.

"DNA" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar from his fourth studio album Damn. Despite not being released as a single, the song received support at rhythmic radio after its official music video was released. The second track on the album , it was written by Lamar, while the production was handled by Mike Will Made It.

"Yah" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The third track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, Mark Spears, a.k.a. Sounwave, DJ Dahi, and Anthony Tiffith, and produced by, Sounwave, DJ Dahi, and Tiffith, with additional production by Bēkon.

"Element" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fourth track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, Sounwave, James Blake, and Ricci Riera and produced by Sounwave, Blake, and Riera, with additional production by Tae Beast and Bēkon. The song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

"Feel" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fifth track on the album, the song was written by Lamar and Mark Spears, a.k.a. Sounwave, and produced by Sounwave. The song features bass from bass guitarist Thundercat and vocals from Chelsea Blythe.

"Pride." is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The seventh track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, Steve Lacy, Anna Wise, and Anthony Tiffith, and produced by Lacy and Tiffith, with additional production by Bēkon. "Pride" charted in multiple countries in 2017.

"Lust" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The ninth track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, DJ Dahi, Mark Spears a.k.a. Sounwave, and BadBadNotGood, and was produced by DJ Dahi, Sounwave, and BadBadNotGood. The song features uncredited guest vocals from record producer Kaytranada. Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

"Love" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring American singer Zacari, taken from the former's fourth studio album Damn (2017). It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on October 2, 2017, as the third and final single from the album. Lamar and Zacari wrote the song with its producers Teddy Walton, Sounwave, Greg Kurstin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.

"Fear" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album DAMN., released on April 14, 2017. The twelfth track on the album, the song was written by Kendrick and produced by The Alchemist, with additional production by Bēkon. At seven minutes and forty-one seconds, it is the longest song on the album. Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

"God" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The thirteenth and penultimate track on the album, the song was produced by Riera, Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Bëkon, Cardo, Tiffith, with additional production by Yung Exclusive, Mike Hector and Teddy Walton.

"Duckworth" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fourteenth and final track on the album, the lyrics were written by Lamar while the music was written by record producer Patrick Douthit, known professionally as 9th Wonder, with additional production by Bēkon.

"Loyalty" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from the former's fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album. The sixth track on the album, the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Out of Your Own Way</span> 2017 single by U2

"Get Out of Your Own Way" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fourth track on their fourteenth studio album, Songs of Experience, and was released as the album's second single on 8 December 2017.

Daniel "Danny" Tannenbaum, known professionally as Bekon, previously known as Danny Keyz, is an American record producer, songwriter and musician.

References

  1. ↑ Hayden, John (July 9, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar: The top 10". Otago Daily Times . Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  3. ↑ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL . Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Yoo, Noah (April 14, 2017). "U2's Bono Features on Kendrick Lamar's New Song "XXX.": Listen". Pitchfork . Condé Nast . Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ Bono (interviewee) (6 September 2017). "Bono on new music, an Oasis reunion and more!". The No Repeat Guarantee with Andy Bush (Radio broadcast). Absolute Radio . Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 "XXX. by Kendrick Lamar and U2 - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Rhiannon, Alexis. "Kendrick Lamar & U2's "XXX" Lyrics Are About Speaking Truth To Power". Bustle. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar & U2's "XXX" Lyrics Are About Speaking Truth To Power". Bustle. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  9. ↑ "Review: Kendrick Lamar's Stark And Powerful DAMN.". Stereogum. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Servantes, Ian (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar and U2's "XXX." Is Actually Good". Spin. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 Kendrick Lamar (Ft. U2) – XXX. , retrieved 2023-01-29
  12. ↑ Kendrick Lamar – Little Johnny , retrieved 2023-01-29
  13. ↑ Hyden, Steven (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Used U2 On 'DAMN.' The Way U2 Once Used Johnny Cash". UPROXX. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Reviews: Kendrick Lamar is back with the bold, beautiful 'DAMN.'". The Diamondback. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  15. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar sends off Coachella weekend 2 on a high note". USA Today . Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  17. ↑ Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  18. 1 2 Seabrook III, Robby (January 28, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar Performs "XXX.," "DNA." at 2018 Grammy Awards". XXL . Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "Watch Kendrick Lamar, U2 & Dave Chappelle Open The 2018 GRAMMYs | GRAMMY Rewind | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  20. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Reading Festival 2018". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  21. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  22. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  24. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  26. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  28. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX (ft. U2)". Music Canada . Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  36. ↑ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 7, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.