Look at Me!: The XXXTENTACION Story

by Jonathan Reiss

A compelling biography of SoundCloud sensation and rising star XXXTENTACION -- from his candid songwriting and connection with fans to his tragic death.At the age of twenty, rapper Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy-aka XXXTENTACION-was gunned down during an attempted robbery on the streets of Deerfield Beach, Florida, mere months after signing a $10 million record deal with Empire Music. A rising star in the world of SoundCloud rap, XXXTENTACION achieved stellar levels of success without the benefit of a major label or radio airtime, and flourished via his passionate and unfettered connection to his fans. In Look at Me!, journalist Jonathan Reiss charts the tumultuous life and unguarded songwriting of the SoundCloud sensation. Unlike most rap on the platform, XXXTENTACION's music didn't dwell on money, partying, and getting high. He wrote about depression, suicide, and other mental health issues, topics that led to an outpouring of posthumous appreciation from his devoted fanbase. It was XXXTENTACION's vulnerability that helped him stand apart from artists obsessed with being successful and "cool." Yet these insecurities also stemmed from-and contributed to-his fair share of troubles, including repeated run-ins with the law during his teen years, a disturbing proclivity toward violence, and a prison sentence that overlapped with the release of his first single. Through the memories of the people who knew him best, Look at Me! maps out the true story of an unlikely cultural icon and elucidates what it was about him that touched the post-millennial generation so deeply.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2020

About the author

Jonathan Reiss has worked as a journalist for the last decade, contributing to outlets like Spin, Interview, and the New York Observer. He currently works as a contributing writer for Rolling Stone covering the opioid crisis. His debut novel, Getting Off, was published in 2018 to critical acclaim, with Fjordscalling it "a heart-shattering literary high." Prior to that, he spent two years writing almost exclusively about hip-hop for leading magazines like The Source and Complex. Reiss has carved out a niche writing redemption stories from some of the darkest corners of online culture focusing on the drug trade, true crime, and the intersection of technology and sex. His recent memoir story for Narratively saw viral success, becoming one of the most read stories in the site's history. Reiss lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely stellar read.

X is undoubtedly a polarizing figure.  What is most striking is the author's neutrality.  He endeavors to present the facts as they are without pontificating.

The book is notable in its thoroughness.  The author delves deep into X's past, his inspirations, his family, his friends, his relationships, his inspirations, his aspirations, and his struggles.

There are loads of illuminating details about the music itself, and this is just awesome.  So much background information is provided, and it's extremely welcome.  I learned so much more about this troubled genius.

This is must-read material for even the casual fan of XXXTentacion.  Other authors should really take note--this is an excellent lesson in objectivity, especially when faced with such an inherently-troubling subject.

[Trini · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was shocked when I won the book in a give away It was the best day of my life wym i was really excited to read it and the author is the sweetest person ever and i encourage everyone to read it I’ve been a fan of jahseh since I was a middle schooler and I’ve learn so much things I didn’t before this will be a favorite book of mine <3

[Valerie M. Thurston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Researched & Well Written

I learned a lot about the artist and about the music industry today. The author presented the good and the bad and allowed readers to draw their own conclusions if they chose. I appreciate the room he left to believe that people are capable of changing and that hope and love are not wasted. Surprisingly good book.

[Andre Montenegro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth the read, I love how the author didn’t hold back on the reality of xxxtentacion violent history while still glorifying jahseh as an incredible artist who achieved incredible things in his short time in the media and very well could have been one of the greatest had his life not been cut short. Great autobiography

[Xxtentacion]

Nice

[Jerrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interview with the author and good friend Jon Reiss: https://www.newamerica.org/weekly/ris...

[Thapelo Fortuin]

Interesting

[&#x1d4b1;&#x1d4b6;&#x1d4c3;&#x1d452;&#x1d4c8;&#x1d4c8;&#x1d4b6; &#x1d4aa;&#x1d4cc;&#x1d452;&#x1d4c3;&#x1d4c8; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good account of a controversial voice of a generation

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything was written well and explained well. Great life story

[Owen Shaddick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing insight on one of the most interesting minds/artists of the late 2010s.

[Georgina Elebuwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an amazing book but wow x was really a terrible person and he died before he could rectify his mistakes

[syren · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf'd
not sure if it's the writing or that biographies aren't my thing?

[The man on the lion · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warmer, it makes me look back into the story of one of my most loving figure. His very very bad part and his changing path towards the end of his life. It’s a 4 star for me

[L.P. Cowling · Rating 1 out of 5]

The vast majority of this book is simply copy-pasted or paraphrased from the Wikipedia entry. There is very little journalism, very little digging and very little effort put it. It's simply a cash grab following X's death. Do not waste your time.

[Joel Straw · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5🌟