(Brian Stukes/WireImage/Variety)
The shocking death of rising rapper XXXTentacion has given rise to mixed emotions considering the young star’s controversial actions. And Jidenna issued a take that had some scratching their heads.
At the time of his death from a fatal shooting at age 20 Monday, XXXTentacion was awaiting trial for a domestic violence disturbance with his pregnant girlfriend, court documents obtained by CNN revealed.
Still, Jidenna believes that the “Sad!” rapper’s youth should give him wiggle room to grow as a person.
“R.I.P @xxxtentacion No one can be so self-righteous that they are happy when a youth dies. The young still have the capability to reform. God bless the kids. #xxxtentacion,” he tweeted June 18.
R.I.P @xxxtentacion No one can be so self-righteous that they are happy when a youth dies. The young still have the capability to reform. God bless the kids. #xxxtentacion
— Jidenna (@Jidenna) June 18, 2018
But fans weren’t buying it.
“I don’t sympathize with abusers..much less repeat abusers.”
“An abuser? A full-grown adult who made decisions as an adult. Come right. I take no joy in his death or the fact that people shared videos of his last moments but to act like he was a martyr is beyond me. We have got to do better than this.”
“You are canceled.”
So the “Classic Man” performer issued a clarification.
“For the record, I was never in support of his ways, especially his domestic abuse which I found to be horrific. But I will never demonize an individual without criticizing the society and/or circumstance in which they were raised. Especially someone under 21.
“For those who are so woke that their compassion is asleep, remember this…if Malcolm X was killed at the age of 20, he would have died an abuser, a thief, an addict, and a narrow-minded depressed & violent criminal. So, I believe in change for the young,” he added.
For those who are so woke that their compassion is asleep, remember this…if Malcolm X was killed at the age of 20, he would have died an abuser, a thief, an addict, and a narrow-minded depressed & violent criminal. So, I believe in change for the young.
— Jidenna (@Jidenna) June 18, 2018
However, what was supposed to end the backlash only resulted in more revving up.
“And then he would have been just that instead of a leader of change. This young man did not change. Death does not discriminate and neither does it wash away the harm you have done to others. There’s no middle ground with riding for an abuser.”
“Then lift up his victims in the same light. You have the opportunity.”
“Hey, just curious…when his victim was online begging for money to save the eye he nearly took, did you feel the same need to speak up and show empathy?
Why can you only see his (possible) humanity?”
So, Jidenna posted another tweet making it clear that youth can “evolve into something greater.”
My point here is not to equate Malcolm with XXX, but to point out that a young lost kid can evolve into something greater. I do believe kharma was at work, however, so I pray that men heed this warning and that we revere women more than any generation b4 us.
— Jidenna (@Jidenna) June 18, 2018
But it still wasn’t enough.
“Oh my dear @Jidenna, you should’ve stopped the moment you ever thought of equating Malcolm X to XXX…I understand both have an X in their name…but that’s where it stops….smdh do better…think better.”
“Absolutely not. There is no redemption for a man or child who brutally raped and tortured women. His soul is destined for utero. He does not deserve the cosmos. The ONLY thing I pray for is his victims to have found peace and finally rest tonight. THAT is compassion.”
“Stop talking.”
