XXX (Kendrick Lamar song)


"XXX" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The eleventh track on the album, the song was written by Lamar, Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, Mark Spears Sounwave, Anthony Tiffith, Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., and produced by Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, and Sounwave, with additional production by Top Dawg and Bēkon. The song features samples of the songs "America" by Bēkon and "American Soul" by Irish rock band U2. Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.

Composition

The lyrics of "XXX" are about speaking truth to power. The first verse has Lamar talking about what he would do if anything happened to his family. The chorus then features Bono, the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, singing a prominent refrain in the latter half of the song. Lamar also references current U.S. President Donald Trump and President Barack Obama in the lyric, "Donald Trump's in office; we lost Barack, and promised to never doubt him again".

Critical reception

"XXX" received widespread acclaim from music critics. Ian Servantes of Spin called the song "damn good." Steven Hyden of Uproxx said that U2's cameo was "very un-U2-like" but in a good way.

Live performances

Lamar performed "XXX" live, without U2, at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017. Lamar has performed "XXX" on the Damn tour. Lamar performed "XXX" live with U2 at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in January 2018. Lamar and U2 performed an excerpt before segueing into a verse from "DNA".

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.

Certifications