Why XXXTentacion will forever be loved by his fans

On 18th June 2018 XXXTentacion was killed by gunshots in Florida at the young age of 20. His life was moved at hyperspeed, in the space of three years, he went to jail, became a rap superstar, and was murdered.

He will always be remembered through different lens, that depends on your interaction with his persona. For people who liked his music, there is forgiveness for his bad behaviour . On the other hand it is understandable that many people saw him as a monster who regularly committed violence towards women with impunity.

For his adolescent fans his legacy will be remembered in a positive light as his music mirrored the painful struggles they were experiencing. At a time when adolescent music fans are struggling to find their identity in life, the music he produced provided a mark of identity for them. Young fans in particular are attracted to rebellious personas in attempt to gain an identity separate from their parents. As young fans saw a similarity with XXXTentacion in his struggles they emotionally invested in him heavily.

The unity that his fans had with other young fans who are also attempting to vocalise their identity through his music, provides a sense of oneness. The music made by XXXTentacion, would helped teenagers from different backgrounds to bond together in their common struggle. As Puffer Howes once described music as being “…the language of the emotions”, turning to music such as his was expected, as music is important when you are in adolescence. The emotional language of the music aided young fans at a time when they are faced with constant uncertainty and confusing pressures.

This powerful bond that XXXTentacion had with his fans in his interactions with them, and the common struggles his fans are going through together, provided a powerful sense of unity. That powerful unifying emotional bond means there will be little attention paid towards his bad behaviour by his young fanbase for the time being at least.