Released July 14, 2016 Genre Hip hop
trap Producer(s) Metro Boomin
21 Savage | Recorded 2016 Length 4:18 | |
Writer(s) Shayaa Joseph
Leland Wayne
Nayvadius Wilburn | ||
"X" (originally titled "X Bitch") is a song by American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It is the lead single from their collaborative extended play Savage Mode. It features guest vocals from Future. It was released July 14, 2016. The single was certified 2x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Contents
Background and release
On July 2, 2016, 21 Savage announced his collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, sharing the artwork and the release date. On July 14, he shared the EP's track listing and released "X" featuring Future as the project's first single. He released Savage Mode on July 15. While talking about the song's success in an interview with Rolling Out magazine, he said; "I knew the song was taking off when I looked at iTunes and saw the numbers and all the views".
Music video
The music video for "X" was released on December 25, 2016. The video was directed by Vincent Lou.
Critical reception
Eric Diep of HipHopDX wrote that "X" is "a good entry point for listeners just learning about 21". Niya Hogans from Rolling Out gave the song a positive review, saying that it has "catchy lyrics and a dope beat".
"X" was placed at number 21 on Rolling Stone’s "50 Best Songs of 2016" list, commenting: “The Atlanta trap contender teams up with Future for a thugged-and-drugged banger, boasting "I spent your rent at the mall," while producer Metro Boomin gives it all a creepy cinematic vibe.”
Live performances
On September 17, 2016, 21 Savage performed the song at the BET Hip Hop Awards, which aired in the next month.