X (feat. Future)

“X” by 21 Savage featuring Future is a triumphant anthem of post-breakup 'flexing' and 'stunting' on a former partner. The song's core meaning revolves around showcasing immense success, wealth, and a lavish lifestyle as the ultimate form of revenge and moving on. The 'X' in the title refers to an ex-girlfriend, who becomes the focal point of the artists' boasts. The lyrics are a direct address, not of longing or regret, but of defiant superiority. The narrative is built around the stark contrast between the artists' current extravagant lives and the perceived lesser status of their exes.

The song delves into themes of materialism as a measure of success. Lavish purchases like expensive jewelry ('fuck a wedding ring, I bought a necklace') and spending exorbitant amounts of money ('spent your rent inside the mall') are used as weapons to inflict emotional pain and highlight their elevated social standing. This materialistic flaunting is a common trope in trap music, but here it's specifically weaponized against a past lover. The artists find satisfaction in the envy and saltiness of their exes and other women who 'can't stand' them.

Furthermore, “X” explores a particular brand of toxic masculinity and emotional detachment. The artists portray themselves as emotionally invulnerable, having left their 'ratchet' ex-girlfriend and now engaging in casual, non-committal relationships with multiple 'bad bitches'. There's a sense of pride in their emotional coldness and their ability to move on without looking back. The line about making a woman take a 'Plan B' is a particularly stark example of this cavalier attitude towards relationships and their consequences. In an interview, 21 Savage explained that while not a literal account of his actions, it's a line that he knew would resonate with a certain audience.

The song is a chronicle of moving on from a past relationship and reveling in newfound success and extravagant living as a way of 'stunting' or showing off to an ex-partner. The narrative begins with a depiction of a lavish lifestyle, with the protagonist surrounded by 'ten bad bitches in a mansion' and adorned with dancing diamonds. This imagery immediately establishes a theme of wealth and desirability. The lyrics suggest that hard work has led to financial expansion, attracting model-like women and making drug use a casual part of this opulent life. A key moment in this verse is the line about forcing an ex to take a 'Plan B' after unprotected sex, a raw and controversial statement that underscores a cavalier attitude towards past relationships and its consequences.

The chorus is a repetitive and powerful declaration: 'I'm just stuntin' on my ex-bitch, I'm just flexin' on my ex-bitch.' This refrain serves as the central thesis of the song. Instead of investing in a 'wedding ring,' the protagonist buys a 'necklace,' a metaphor for choosing fleeting, materialistic pleasures over long-term commitment. The diamonds are described as having 'the flu,' a clever way of saying they are 'sick' or incredibly impressive. The ex is dismissed as 'ratchet,' and the resulting envy from other women is palpable.

The second verse, a collaboration with Future, continues this theme of one-upmanship. The act of flexing is reinforced, with the purchase of a necklace for a new woman being a direct slight to the ex. The ex's emotional social media posts are met with disdain and a call to 'grow up.' The artists boast about their lack of communication with the ex and their readiness to resort to violence ('get the stick'). The lyrics then paint a picture of utter financial dominance, with the protagonist spending the equivalent of his ex's rent at the mall and highlighting her misfortune of being with a 'broke' man. The setting is a 'private location' where women are in 'rotation,' further emphasizing a life of casual encounters and immense wealth.

The third verse reinforces the rapper's elevated status. The 'Rolex on fleek' and 'diamonds on fleek' are material symbols of success, a stark contrast to the ex who wears cheap 'Rainbow' brand clothing. There's a clear sense of superiority, with the protagonist claiming that 'corny niggas don't impress me' and that he can't be controlled or 'dressed' by any woman. The disdain for the ex's living situation, 'section 8,' is contrasted with his new partner who is 'wetter than a lake' and willing to be objectified. The song concludes with a sense of triumph and a final jab at the ex, as the artists celebrate their continued rise in status and wealth.

“X” was released on July 14, 2016, as the lead single from the collaborative EP Savage Mode by 21 Savage and producer Metro Boomin. The song was recorded in 2016 and was originally titled “X Bitch”. The track was produced by Metro Boomin and 21 Savage himself. The songwriters credited are Shayaa Joseph (21 Savage), Leland Wayne (Metro Boomin), and Nayvadius Wilburn (Future).

The collaboration with Future came about naturally. 21 Savage had been visiting Future in the studio, and when asked, Future was enthusiastic about contributing to the track. Future initially recorded a full version of the song, including an intro, a verse, a hook, and then another verse and hook. It was 21 Savage's idea to 'chop it up' so that they were going back and forth, creating a more dynamic and conversational feel to the track. This collaborative editing process was key to the song's final structure.

21 Savage knew the song was a hit when he saw its performance on iTunes and its high view counts. The music video, directed by Vincent Lou, was released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2016. The EP Savage Mode was announced on July 2, 2016, with the tracklist and “X” being released shortly before the full project dropped on July 15. The song was a breakthrough for 21 Savage, earning him his first platinum record. He also performed the song at the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards.

The rhyme and rhythm of “X” are central to its trap identity and overall impact.

The song is set at a tempo of 149 beats per minute (BPM) in a 4/4 time signature, which gives it an energetic and danceable feel, suitable for clubs and parties. The rhythmic structure is built around Metro Boomin's signature trap beat, characterized by skittering hi-hats, deep 808 bass, and a prominent, atmospheric synthesizer melody.

The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily relying on couplets and internal rhymes within a free verse structure. For example, in the chorus, 'necklace' rhymes with 'catch this', and 'ratchet' rhymes with 'stand me' (a slant rhyme). The focus is less on complex rhyme schemes and more on the flow and delivery of the lyrics. 21 Savage's and Future's flows are rhythmically intricate, often weaving in and out of the beat with a syncopated delivery. They use repetition of phrases like 'hold up' as a rhythmic device to break up lines and create a call-and-response feel.

The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial. The rappers' cadences often align with the patterns of the hi-hats and snares, creating a cohesive and head-nodding groove. The overall rhythmic feel is one of confident, laid-back swagger, even with the relatively high tempo.

“X” employs several stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, that contribute to its distinctive and impactful sound.

• Vocal Delivery: 21 Savage is known for his signature deadpan, almost monotone delivery, which creates a sense of detachment and menace. This contrasts with Future’s more melodic and auto-tuned vocals, creating a dynamic interplay between the two artists. The back-and-forth structure of their verses enhances this conversational, yet confrontational, feel.
• Ad-libs: The song is punctuated by memorable ad-libs, such as '21, 21' and 'hold up', which serve as rhythmic placeholders and reinforce the artists' personas. Future's ad-lib of '21' shows a level of respect and camaraderie.
• Repetition: The chorus is highly repetitive, making it incredibly catchy and memorable. This repetition drills the song's central message of 'flexing on an ex' into the listener's mind. The use of recurring phrases throughout the verses also adds to the song's hypnotic quality.
• Production: Metro Boomin’s production is a key element of the song's style. The beat is characterized by a dark, minimalist, and atmospheric sound, with a prominent and haunting flute-like melody. This creates a 'creepy cinematic vibe' that complements the lyrical content. The use of heavy 808 bass is a staple of the trap genre.
• Braggadocio: The lyrics are a prime example of braggadocio in hip-hop, where the artists boast about their wealth, sexual prowess, and superiority. This is a common lyrical theme in the genre, but it is executed with a particularly sharp and targeted focus in this song.

“X” had a significant cultural impact and was a major breakthrough single for 21 Savage, cementing his place in the mainstream hip-hop scene. The song was a commercial success, becoming 21 Savage's first platinum-certified record. It was a part of his collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, Savage Mode, which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200. The song itself performed well on the charts and received considerable radio play.

Critically, the song was well-received. Rolling Stone ranked it at number 21 on its '50 Best Songs of 2016' list, praising its 'thugged-and-drugged banger' quality and Metro Boomin's 'creepy cinematic vibe'. Fact magazine also named it one of the 20 best rap and R&B tracks of 2016. The track was seen as a great introduction to 21 Savage for new listeners.

The phrase 'Issa knife', which 21 Savage used in an interview to describe his forehead tattoo, became a viral meme. While not directly from the song “X”, the popularity of the song and the 'Issa' meme are intertwined with 21 Savage's rise to fame during this period. The song's title and themes have also contributed to the popular lexicon of 'flexing on an ex'.

“X” has remained a popular song in 21 Savage's discography and is often included in his live performances. The song's success helped to popularize the dark, minimalist trap sound that was prominent in the mid-2010s and has influenced a wave of subsequent artists in the genre.

“X” is rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its central themes of wealth, power, and dismissiveness towards a past relationship.

• The 'X': The title itself is a stark symbol, reducing a former partner to a single, impersonal letter. It signifies a closed chapter and a person who has been crossed out of the artists' lives.
• Jewelry as a Symbol of Status: The line “Fuck a weddin' ring, I bought a necklace” is a powerful metaphor. The wedding ring symbolizes commitment and love, which is rejected in favor of a necklace, a symbol of wealth, status, and fleeting adornment. This highlights a preference for materialistic gain over emotional connection. The diamonds having 'the flu' is a metaphor for how 'sick' or impressive they are, so much so that their brilliance is contagious.
• Financial Dominance as a Weapon: Spending an ex's 'rent inside the mall' is a direct and symbolic assertion of financial power. It's not just about spending money; it's about demonstrating how insignificant her financial struggles are to him.
• 'Rainbow' as a Symbol of Being Cheap: The reference to an ex-girlfriend wearing 'Rainbow on your feet' is a pointed insult. Rainbow is a chain of budget-friendly clothing stores, and this line is used to contrast her perceived low status with his high-fashion, wealthy lifestyle symbolized by his 'gold on my teeth'.
• 'Savage' as a Persona: The recurring ad-lib '21' and references to his 'savage' nature reinforce the persona of being ruthless and unapologetic. This is a recurring motif in 21 Savage's music.

“X” features several recurring phrases and motifs that are central to its meaning and memorability.

• “I'm just stuntin' on my ex-bitch / I'm just flexin' on my ex-bitch”: This is the song's primary hook and its most important recurring phrase. It encapsulates the entire theme of the song and is repeated throughout the chorus, driving home the message of defiant one-upmanship.
• “Hold up”: This phrase is used repeatedly throughout the song by both 21 Savage and Future. It serves multiple purposes: it acts as a transition between lines, a way to emphasize a particular boast, and a rhythmic ad-lib that adds to the song's swagger.
• “21, 21, 21”: This ad-lib is 21 Savage's signature, and its repetition throughout the song reinforces his brand and persona. Future also uses this ad-lib, which has been interpreted as a sign of respect.
• Wealth and Luxury Goods: There is a recurring motif of expensive items, including mansions, diamonds, necklaces, and Rolexes. These are not just mentioned in passing but are central to the lyrical content, serving as tangible proof of the artists' success.
• Dismissal of the Ex: The motif of the ex-girlfriend being 'ratchet' or 'broke' is a recurring theme that serves to elevate the status of the artists and their new partners.