X (with 2 Chainz & Saudi)

"X" is a powerful and aggressive anthem about reaching the peak of one's energy, success, and confidence. The central theme revolves around the recurring question posed by an uncredited Kendrick Lamar in the chorus: "Are you on ten yet?". This question serves as a challenge, demanding maximum intensity and performance. To be "on ten" is to be fully dialed in, operating at the highest possible level. The song functions as a celebration of success, wealth, and dominance, with each artist providing their unique perspective on this theme.

The song was recorded for Black Panther: The Album, and its themes are heavily intertwined with the film's narrative. The "X" in the title can be interpreted as a reference to the Wakandan salute, where arms are crossed over the chest in an 'X' shape, a symbol of respect and identity. Lyrically, the track captures the mentality of T'Challa (Black Panther) confronting challengers to his throne, embodying the strength, pride, and readiness for conflict required of a king.

Each verse builds on this foundation of power. South African rapper Saudi incorporates Zulu phrases, grounding the song in an African context and speaking on the complexities of wealth and survival in the "jungle." ScHoolboy Q's verse is a direct display of braggadocio, detailing his luxurious lifestyle and unshakeable self-belief. 2 Chainz continues this with tales of his rise from hardship to opulence, showcasing a life without limits. Ultimately, "X" is a declaration of unapologetic ambition and a call to live life with maximum intensity and force.

The song serves as a high-octane anthem of peak performance, ambition, and unapologetic celebration of success. It opens with an uncredited Kendrick Lamar repeatedly posing the central question, “Are you on ten yet?” This refrain acts as a challenge, an insistent demand to know if the listener and the other artists are operating at their absolute maximum level of intensity, energy, and focus. The phrase sets a competitive and urgent tone, suggesting that anything less than total commitment is insufficient. This introduction is interwoven with imagery of royalty (“I wore the crown all day”) and allusions to the Black Panther film, establishing a context of power, heritage, and the pressures that come with leadership.

The first verse is delivered by South African rapper Saudi, who immediately grounds the track in an international, specifically African, context by blending English with Zulu. His lyrics paint a picture of navigating a dangerous urban environment, the “jungle,” with a mix of toughness and opulence. He makes a powerful statement about wealth by referencing “Benjamin Franklin phezulu koMadiba,” which translates to placing the American hundred-dollar bill (Franklin) above the South African rand (featuring Nelson Mandela), symbolizing the prioritization of financial gain. However, he also acknowledges the perilous nature of this pursuit, admitting, “Imali is my Achilles’ heel, yeah” (Money is my Achilles’ heel). His verse is a complex tapestry of bravado, cultural pride, and the vulnerabilities that accompany the relentless chase for success.

ScHoolboy Q takes over the second verse with his signature aggressive and raw delivery. He directly answers the song’s central question, asserting his dominance and luxurious lifestyle. His lines are a rapid-fire succession of boasts about his wealth (“eighty my Rolex”), expensive possessions (“Might Maybach the Benz”), and relentless work ethic (“I don't rest enough, ugh / I don't plan for luck, I keep workin' hard”). He exudes a sense of invincibility, even claiming that “Not even Kendrick can humble me,” a nod to his TDE labelmate’s hit song “HUMBLE.” His verse is a pure distillation of braggadocio, reinforcing the theme that he is not just “on ten” but defines what it means to be at that level.

2 Chainz delivers the final verse, continuing the themes of opulence and a life lived to the fullest, but with his distinctively charismatic and slightly more laid-back flow. He reflects on his journey from difficult circumstances to immense success, referencing his past (“Went to Hell, came back, went to jail / Left jail, went to Benihana”) and his current status. His wordplay is clever, comparing his candy-painted car to a “cavity” and boasting about wearing shorts in the winter. The verse encapsulates a journey of overcoming obstacles and now enjoying the fruits of that labor without reservation. Throughout the song, the recurring chorus and the ad-libs to “fuck the place up” serve as a chaotic, energetic release, urging a complete takeover and disruption, a celebration so intense it becomes destructive. The song, in its entirety, is a declaration of arriving at the pinnacle of one’s game and reveling in the power and chaos that comes with it.

"X" was created as part of the Kendrick Lamar-curated soundtrack, Black Panther: The Album, for the 2018 Marvel film Black Panther. The album was released on February 9, 2018, under Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Records, and Interscope Records. The song was produced by Sounwave and co-produced by !llmind. The writing credits are extensive, listing Quincy Hanley (ScHoolboy Q), Tauheed Epps (2 Chainz), Anele Mbisha (Saudi), Kendrick Duckworth (Kendrick Lamar), Mark Spears (Sounwave), Ramon Ibanga Jr. (!llmind), and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.

The inclusion of South African artist Saudi was a deliberate choice to connect the album with the film's African setting, Wakanda. Saudi's verse notably features lyrics in the Zulu language, adding a layer of authenticity and cultural resonance to the project. The collaboration brought together prominent American hip-hop figures with an emerging South African voice, reflecting the global and cultural themes of the film. The track itself is seen by some as a tribute or thematic sequel to Kendrick Lamar's song "XXX." from his 2017 album DAMN.

The rhyme and rhythm of "X" are central to its driving, aggressive energy. The track is built on a trap-influenced beat with a tempo of approximately 131 BPM, characterized by heavy bass, sharp snares, and an eerie, reversed sample loop that creates a tense atmosphere.

The rhythmic structure is dominated by the forceful and repetitive hook delivered by Kendrick Lamar. The lyrical rhythm is syncopated and percussive, with the phrase "Are you on ten yet?" acting as a rhythmic anchor. The flow of each rapper plays off this central beat in distinct ways:

• Saudi uses a more melodic and fluid flow, weaving between English and Zulu, which creates a unique rhythmic texture that aligns with the track's international feel.
• ScHoolboy Q employs a more staccato, hard-hitting flow. His delivery is rhythmically complex and aggressive, landing heavily on the beat to emphasize his confrontational lyrics. His rhyme schemes are often dense with internal and multi-syllable rhymes, as seen in lines like "Might Maybach the Benz, two-door comin' out / Black on black again, I might gold the trim."
• 2 Chainz utilizes a more relaxed, behind-the-beat swagger. His rhythm is less rigid, allowing his personality and clever wordplay to take center stage. His rhyme schemes are typically more straightforward AABB couplets but are effective due to his charismatic delivery.

The interplay between the consistent, menacing beat and the varied rhythmic approaches of the vocalists makes the track feel both structured and chaotic, perfectly mirroring its lyrical themes.

"X" employs a variety of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its aggressive and energetic atmosphere.

• Ad-libs and Repetition: The track is heavily layered with ad-libs (e.g., "hol' up," "go up") and repetition, particularly in Kendrick Lamar's chorus. The incessant questioning of "Are you on ten yet?" and the chant-like call to "Fuck the place up" create a sense of urgency and hype, making the song feel like a raw, live performance.
• Vocal Delivery Variation: Each of the four featured vocalists brings a distinct delivery style. Kendrick's chorus is sharp and commanding. Saudi's flow is melodic and incorporates multilingualism, blending English and Zulu. ScHoolboy Q's verse is characterized by his signature aggressive, raspy, and energetic delivery, which feels raw and unapologetic. 2 Chainz offers a more charismatic, laid-back yet confident flow, providing a stylistic contrast that highlights his swagger.
• Beat Switch: A notable musical technique is the subtle beat switch or shift in instrumentation that often accompanies the transition between rappers' verses, particularly leading into 2 Chainz's part. This keeps the track dynamic and engaging, giving each artist a slightly different sonic palette to work with.
• Onomatopoeia and Wordplay: The lyrics contain clever wordplay, such as 2 Chainz's line, "Candied my car and it's sweet like a cavity." ScHoolboy Q uses onomatopoeia in another of his famous songs ("chidi-ching-ching") to mimic the sound of money, a technique that paints vivid pictures of wealth and success.

"X" achieved significant cultural influence primarily through its inclusion on the critically and commercially successful soundtrack Black Panther: The Album. Curated by Kendrick Lamar, the album was a cultural event in itself, praised for its artistic cohesion and its celebration of Black culture, which perfectly complemented the groundbreaking impact of the film.

The song became a standout track from the album, lauded for its high energy and the powerful collaboration between ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and the introduction of South African rapper Saudi to a wider global audience. It was frequently highlighted in reviews as a moment of pure, unapologetic hip-hop energy on the soundtrack. While it didn't chart as high as singles like "All the Stars" or "Pray for Me," "X" became a fan favorite and a staple in workout and party playlists due to its intense beat and motivational lyrics.

The track's refrain, "Are you on ten yet?", entered the cultural lexicon as a popular expression for being at maximum intensity. The song's connection to the global phenomenon of Black Panther cemented its legacy, tying it to a pivotal moment in cinematic and cultural history that championed representation and Black excellence.

The song "X" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its themes of power, success, and identity, largely tied to its connection with the movie Black Panther.

• The 'X' Symbol: The title itself is the most prominent symbol. It directly references the Wakandan salute of crossing arms to form an 'X', a gesture of greeting, respect, and solidarity ("Wakanda Forever"). This grounds the song in the film's universe, making the artists' declarations of power synonymous with the strength and pride of Wakanda.
• "On Ten": The recurring phrase "Are you on ten yet?" functions as a metaphor for reaching peak human potential and intensity. It's a challenge to operate at the highest possible level, like turning a dial up to its maximum setting of 10. This symbolizes a state of ultimate readiness, confidence, and energy, demanding nothing less than full commitment.
• Crown and Kingship: Kendrick Lamar's line "I wore the crown all day" symbolizes leadership, responsibility, and the burdens of power, mirroring the journey of the film's protagonist, T'Challa. It frames the artists' success not just as personal wealth but as a form of royalty within their own domains.
• Financial Metaphors: Saudi's line "Benjamin Franklin phezulu koMadiba" (Benjamin Franklin on top of Madiba) is a potent metaphor for the global influence of American currency ($100 bill) over the South African Rand (which features Nelson Mandela). It speaks to the complex relationship between wealth, national identity, and the seductive power of money, which he later calls his "Achilles' heel."

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song "X," reinforcing its core themes of intensity, power, and disruption.

• "Are you on ten yet?": This is the song's most significant recurring phrase and central motif. Repeated relentlessly in the chorus by Kendrick Lamar, it functions as both a question and a challenge, setting the standard for energy and performance. Its repetition drills the theme of peak intensity into the listener's mind, creating a high-stakes atmosphere that every verse must live up to.
• "Fuck the place up": This phrase is chanted repeatedly, serving as a call to action for uninhibited, chaotic celebration and dominance. It encapsulates the raw, destructive energy that comes with being "on ten." Its recurrence acts as a release of the tension built by the verses, turning the song into an anthem for disruption.
• "Hol' up" and "Go up": These ad-libs are peppered throughout the track, particularly in the pre-chorus. "Hol' up" acts as a punctuation mark, demanding attention, while "go up" suggests elevation and ascent in status and energy. Together, they create a rhythmic layer that enhances the song's feeling of continuous upward momentum.
• The Crown Motif: Kendrick's line, "I wore the crown all day," introduces a motif of royalty and leadership that connects the song to the Black Panther narrative. This image of kingship recurs thematically, as each artist asserts their sovereign status in the world of hip-hop.