Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, also recognized by his stage name XXXTentacion, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter.
Early life and Education
Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was born on January 23, 1998, in Plantation, Florida, to Jamaican parents, Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy and Cleopatra Eretha Dreena Bernard. He was named after the Bob Marley song “So Jah Seh”, chosen by his father, who, like his grandfather, was a Rastafarian. Onfroy was born with a ventricular septal defect, commonly known as a “hole in the heart”, which restricted his growth to a maximum height of 5 feet 6 inches. He mentioned in an interview on The Beat in 2017 that he also had ancestry from Syria, India, and possibly Italy. Onfroy attended Piper High School until he left in the tenth grade.
Career
Onfroy’s journey as a music artist commenced in June 2013 with the release of his track “News/Flock.” During his time in juvenile detention for gun possession charges, he crossed paths with Stokeley Goulbourne, also known as Ski Mask the Slump God, sparking a friendship and musical collaboration. While some sources dispute the narrative of their initial meeting in detention, both artists bonded over their passion for freestyling. Reflecting on his time in detention, Onfroy mentioned his respect for authority figures and his protective nature towards fellow inmates. Following his release from juvenile detention, Onfroy and Goulbourne initially planned to engage in criminal activities but eventually shifted their focus to music. Onfroy adopted the moniker XXXTentacion and began uploading his music on SoundCloud, starting with his debut mixtape XXX (Unmastered) in March 2014. His decision to pursue music over a life of crime was influenced by his then-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala. Onfroy continued to share snippets of his work, eventually founding the Members Only collective in 2015. Despite facing legal troubles, including arrests for robbery and assault, Onfroy remained dedicated to his music, releasing projects like the EP Willy Wonka Was a Child Murderer and collaborating with artists like Ski Mask the Slump God. His breakout single “Look at Me” gained significant attention, leading to a record deal with Empire Distribution. Onfroy’s debut album, 17, released in August 2017, received mixed reviews but debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart. He continued to push boundaries with his music, exploring various genres and collaborating with different artists. In 2018, Onfroy’s second studio album, ?, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking a significant milestone in his career. Despite his untimely passing, Onfroy’s impact on the music industry remains profound, with his legacy living on through his music and artistic vision.
Personal life
Onfroy had two half-siblings, Ariana and Aiden, and had lived with rapper Denzel Curry and producer Ronny J in the past. Before his death, he was in the process of moving into a mansion in Parkland, Florida, with his girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez. Onfroy was known for his friendships with various musicians, including Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Uzi Vert, PnB Rock, Denzel Curry, Lil Yachty, Trippie Redd, Juice Wrld, and Billie Eilish. Billie Eilish credited Onfroy with talking her out of ending her life.
His relationship with Trippie Redd faced strains when allegations against Onfroy emerged, but Onfroy publicly acknowledged his past faults and apologized to Trippie Redd, who accepted the apology.
Onfroy was open about his struggles with depression and announced plans to return to school to pursue his GED, which he eventually completed. He was also candid about his romantic relationships, particularly with Geneva Ayala and Jenesis Sanchez. Ayala accused Onfroy of domestic abuse, detailing instances of physical and emotional abuse. Onfroy maintained his innocence publicly but exhibited remorse for his actions to his roommates.
Onfroy’s relationship with Sanchez began in late 2017, and she later became pregnant with his child. After his death, Sanchez gave birth to their son. There was legal contention over the paternity of the child, with Sanchez ultimately winning the right to conduct a DNA test to prove Onfroy’s paternity.
Onfroy’s spiritual beliefs were complex, as he was raised Christian but expressed an interest in the occult and spirituality. He discussed themes of selling his soul to Satan in his music but was cautious about encouraging negative influences on his audience. He believed in concepts like reincarnation and was drawn to New Age ideas like Indigo children.
Legal issues
In late 2012, Onfroy faced legal trouble when he was arrested for possessing 21 grams of marijuana, a felony under Florida law. This led to a month-long juvenile detention followed by six months at a behavioral correction facility. Shortly after his release, he was arrested again for breaking into a house to steal a laptop for music production.
In 2014, Onfroy was sentenced to a year in a youth detention center for gun possession charges. He claimed the district attorney sought to try him as an adult, which could have resulted in a much longer prison sentence. However, details of his time in detention have been disputed, and the charges against him cannot be corroborated publicly due to his juvenile status.
In August 2015, Onfroy attempted suicide by running into traffic and was fined for the incident. Another significant incident involved the stabbing of Dylan Turner, professionally known as Tablez, in which Onfroy was allegedly involved. Tablez suffered life-changing injuries but chose not to press charges after Onfroy paid for his hospital bills and apologized.
Onfroy faced additional legal troubles in 2016 when he was arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and home invasion. He was later released on bail and ultimately sentenced to six years of probation after pleading no contest.
In 2017, Onfroy was arrested again on charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery, and false imprisonment. Despite multiple delays in his trial, he was released on bail while awaiting court proceedings. Onfroy’s legal team and the alleged victim, Geneva Ayala, engaged in legal maneuvering, with Ayala ultimately declining to testify against him. The domestic violence charges were dropped following Onfroy’s death.
Onfroy’s legal woes continued with the release of a Snapchat video showing him hitting a girl in 2013. He claimed the incident was misrepresented and threatened legal action against the girl and her family for defamation.
In October 2018, Pitchfork released audio recordings of Onfroy allegedly confessing to domestic violence and describing a stabbing incident. The recordings sparked controversy and criticism, with some claiming they were taken out of context. Onfroy’s legal troubles and personal controversies were a recurring theme throughout his career, contributing to his polarizing public image.
Death
XXXTentacion tragically passed away on June 18, 2018, at the age of 20. He was shot and killed during a robbery outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The news of his death sent shockwaves throughout the music industry and among his fans worldwide.
Net Worth before Death
Estimated to be over 5 million dollars