The Mystery Solved: What Is Rapper X's Real Name And The Tragic Story Behind The Moniker?

The single letter 'X' has become synonymous with a generation-defining artist whose life was tragically cut short, yet whose music continues to dominate streaming platforms. As of December 2025, the curiosity surrounding the identity behind the moniker 'X' remains incredibly high, driven by his controversial life, his groundbreaking music, and the ongoing cultural impact of his posthumous releases and the 2022 documentary, Look At Me. This article dives deep to reveal the full, complex identity of the man known to the world simply as X, providing the most current and comprehensive details of his real name and complicated legacy.

The real name of the late American rapper, singer, and songwriter known as X or XXXTentacion is Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy. Born on January 23, 1998, in Plantation, Florida, Onfroy adopted the stage name XXXTentacion, which is a combination of "XXX" (representing a pornographic term and a number of vices) and "tentación," the Spanish word for temptation. He was often simply referred to by his fans and peers as "X."

Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy: Full Biography and Profile

Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy’s life, though brief, was marked by intense creativity, immense controversy, and a rapid ascent to global stardom. His biography is essential to understanding the man behind the music.

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• Real Name: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy
• Stage Name: XXXTentacion (often shortened to X)
• Nicknames: X, Young Dagger Dick, Triple X
• Date of Birth: January 23, 1998
• Place of Birth: Plantation, Florida, U.S.
• Date of Death: June 18, 2018 (Aged 20)
• Cause of Death: Shot during a robbery attempt
• Genre: Hip hop, emo rap, trap, R&B, nu metal
• Years Active: 2013–2018
• Notable Albums: 17 (2017), ? (2018), Skins (Posthumous, 2018)
• Breakthrough Single: "Look at Me" (2016)
• Posthumous Success: His song "Sad!" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after his death.

The Rise of X: From SoundCloud to Global Icon

Onfroy’s journey began on the music platform SoundCloud, where he cultivated a raw, genre-bending sound that resonated deeply with a young audience. His music was characterized by emotional vulnerability, raw aggression, and a fusion of diverse genres, including emo, punk rock, and trap. This unique style helped define the "SoundCloud rap" movement of the mid-to-late 2010s.

The Breakthrough Single: "Look at Me"

In 2016, his single “Look at Me” exploded in popularity, becoming a viral sensation and his first major hit. The song’s aggressive bass and distorted sound became a signature of his early work. This success, however, was intertwined with his legal troubles, as he was incarcerated when the song gained massive traction, further fueling the mystique and controversy surrounding the artist known as X. The track's success demonstrated his ability to connect with listeners on a visceral level, despite—or perhaps because of—his troubled background.

Musical Entities and Influences

XXXTentacion's discography is a tapestry of dark, introspective themes and sonic experimentation. His album 17 was a major departure from his earlier aggressive style, focusing on acoustic and emo-rap elements, featuring tracks like "Jocelyn Flores" and "F*** Love." His follow-up, ?, was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, showcasing his versatility with hits such as "Sad!" and "Changes." He frequently cited influences from various musical entities, including Nirvana, Papa Roach, and The Fray, highlighting his desire to transcend traditional rap boundaries.

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The Controversial Legacy and Posthumous Success

Jahseh Onfroy's life was marred by numerous legal issues, including charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant victim (his ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala), domestic battery, and false imprisonment. These controversies created a significant divide between his devoted fanbase and his critics, making his legacy one of the most debated in modern music history. This dual nature—the troubled young man and the artistic genius—was a central theme in the Hulu Original documentary, Look At Me: XXXTENTACION, which premiered in 2022.

The Impact of His Untimely Death

On June 18, 2018, Jahseh Onfroy was tragically murdered during a robbery outside a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His death sent shockwaves through the music industry and among his global following. The outpouring of grief was immense, and his music saw a massive surge in popularity. "Sad!" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare posthumous achievement that solidified his status as a cultural phenomenon. The men responsible for his murder were eventually convicted in March 2023, bringing a degree of closure to the legal entities involved, though the emotional impact of the loss remains.

Posthumous Releases and Ongoing Influence

His estate has continued to release music, ensuring his artistic vision lives on. The first posthumous album, Skins, was released in December 2018, followed by Bad Vibes Forever in 2019. These releases, along with various collaborations, continue to introduce his music to new listeners, ensuring that the sound of X—the raw, emotional, and boundary-pushing style of emo rap—remains a dominant force in the global music landscape.

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Beyond XXXTentacion: Other Famous Entities Known as 'X'

While Jahseh Onfroy is the most common answer to "What is X's real name" in a music context, the letter 'X' is a powerful moniker used by several other notable figures and entities, adding a layer of complexity to the search intent:

• Lil Nas X: The rapper and singer behind the global hit "Old Town Road" and "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" has the real name Montero Lamar Hill. Like Onfroy, he uses the single letter X as a core part of his stage name, representing a new, unknown variable in his career.
• Elon Musk's Company: The social media platform Twitter was controversially rebranded to X by its owner, Elon Musk, whose full name is Elon Reeve Musk. This corporate entity has made the letter X a ubiquitous part of the tech and social media conversation.
• Elon Musk's Son: The first child of Elon Musk and Grimes was famously named X Æ A-Xii (initially X Æ A-12), with 'X' being the child's official first name on the birth certificate.
• The Band X: An influential American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977, whose core members include Exene Cervenka and John Doe.

The name X, whether representing Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, Montero Lamar Hill, or a corporate entity, has become a symbol of disruption, mystery, and a powerful, often controversial, presence in modern culture. For the millions of fans who search for the real name of the troubled genius, the answer is Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy—a figure whose short life and enduring art continue to inspire intense debate and profound connection.