XXX (Kendrick Lamar song)

"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]

"XXX." redirects here. For other uses, see XXX.
"XXX"
Song by Kendrick Lamar featuring U2
from the album Damn
Recorded2017
StudioJungle City Studios
GenreProgressive rap[1]
Length4:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mike Will Made It
  • DJ Dahi
  • Sounwave
  • Top Dawg
  • Bēkon
  • Jacknife Lee
  • Jolyon Thomas

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-current 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
Irish rock band U2 performing in 2015
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]

  • 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 – songwriter, voice
  • David Evans – 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
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
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[34] Platinum 80,000‡
United States (RIAA)[35] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Hayden, John (July 9, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar: The top 10". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  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. 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. "XXX. by Kendrick Lamar and U2 - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  7. 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. Servantes, Ian (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar and U2's "XXX." Is Actually Good". Spin. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  11. 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. "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. Seabrook III, Robby (January 28, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar Performs "XXX.," "DNA." at 2018 Grammy Awards". XXL. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  19. "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. "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX (ft. U2)". Music Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  35. "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
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