X (21 Savage and Metro Boomin song)

"X" (originally titled "X Bitch") is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on July 14, 2016, as the lead single from their collaborative extended play, Savage Mode (2016).[1][2] The song features guest vocals from American rapper Future. The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

"X"
Single by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin featuring Future
from the album Savage Mode
ReleasedJuly 14, 2016
Recorded2016
Genre
Length4:18
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
21 Savage singles chronology
"Lit"
(2016)		 "X"
(2016)		 "No Heart"
(2016)
Metro Boomin singles chronology
"Chanel Vintage"
(2014)		 "X"
(2016)		 "No Heart"
(2016)
Future singles chronology
"Campaign"
(2016)		 "X"
(2016)		 "Do You Mind"
(2016)
Music video
"X" on YouTube

Background and release

On July 2, 2016, 21 Savage announced his collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, sharing the artwork and the release date.[3] On July 14, he shared the EP's track listing and released "X" featuring Future as the project's first single.[4][1] He released Savage Mode on July 15.[5] 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".[6]

Critical reception

Eric Diep of HipHopDX wrote that "X" is "a good entry point for listeners just learning about 21".[7] Niya Hogans from Rolling Out gave the song a positive review, saying that it has "catchy lyrics and a dope beat".[6] Rolling Stone ranked it at number 21 on its 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.”[8] Fact named it as one of the 20 best rap and R&B tracks of 2016.[9]

Music video

The music video for "X" was released on December 25, 2016. The video was directed by Vincent Lou.[10]

Live performances

On September 17, 2016, 21 Savage performed the song at the BET Hip Hop Awards, which aired in the next month.[11]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[18] 2× Platinum 160,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[20] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide July 14, 2016
N/A [1][21]

References
  1. "21 Savage - X Bitch Feat. Future (Prod. By Metro Boomin) - Stream [New Song]".
  2. 21 Savage (14 July 2016). "21 Savage & Metro Boomin - X ft Future (Official Audio)" – via YouTube.
  3. ""Savage Mode" Album Artwork & Release Date Revealed". rapWAVE. July 2, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  4. "21 Savage & Metro Boomin Reveal Tracklist For "Savage Mode"". HotNewHipHop. July 2, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  5. "Stream 21 Savage & Metro Boomin Savage Mode EP". Stereogum. July 15, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  6. "Hidden hip-hop gems of summer '16: A retrospective". Rolling Out. September 15, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  7. "21 Savage & Metro Boomin - Savage Mode Review". HipHopDX. July 25, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  8. "50 Best Songs of 2016". November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  9. "The 20 best rap and R&B tracks of 2016". Fact. December 18, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  10. "Watch 21 Savage, Metro Boomin, And Future Flex In The Video For "X"". Complex. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  11. "BET Hip-Hop Awards 2016: Watch Isaiah Rashad, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage Perform". Pitchfork Media. October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  12. "21 Savage Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  13. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  14. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  15. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  16. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  17. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  18. "Canadian single certifications – 21 Savage & Metro Boomin – X". Music Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  19. "British single certifications – 21 Savage & Metro Boomin – X". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 1, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type X in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  20. "American single certifications – 21 Savage & Metro Boomin". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  21. Patrick Lyons. "21 Savage's "Savage Mode" (Review)". HotNewHipHop.
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