XXXTentacion‘s debut album has come with a tidal wave that’s really just beginning to roll in. The past few months we’ve seen X become more and more of a polarizing figure. Every time X came up in headlines the responses, good or bad, would grow exponentially; not only in numbers, but in how strong the reactions became. It’s as if every one of these moments has led up to the release of his album “17”. Everyone’s hate or love building up to the release, and either jumping to appreciation or caving in to the pressure of everyone else’s. “17” has been met with praise from what some consider unlikely places, most notably Kendrick Lamar and including but not limited to Tory Lanez and Madeintyo. This album, much like most of what X produces feels like a tease. We’re immediately left wanting more, and so find ourselves listening to the album again and again. That, I think, is the mystique in this project. Of course, the songs on the album are all filled with emotion, soul, and honesty but X’s ability to draw us in and keep us invested is a quality that might be impossible to attain. “17”, ironically, could be what brings the new age of hip hop back to it’s roots, “What is real will prosper”. What happens next? Whatever X chooses to share with the world this time.