Danny Brown talked about this song in an interview:
“For XXX, I was just thinking of the credits rolling to that. The way the beat came on, it sounded more like an intro beat than a song with a hook. It was an intro, so I wrote the intro to it. Everything was super-intentional, it wasn’t like nothing wasn’t planned. I wrote the intro and I wrote “30”, the outro last.“
Frank Dukes says:
““XXX” was taken from a bunch of different chops from random places. I chopped up a drum break and I played some random shit over it, and it ended up as it is. I loved what Danny did with it. It was a beat that a few other people recorded over, but he ended up getting the record. I think the song is a perfect precursor to what the album does, because the beat is rooted in boom-bap but has some more [creative] elements that make it work. “XXX” sets the tone. Danny did his high-pitched crazy voice on it, but he also shows both sides of himself, saying goofy shit but also saying some real shit.“
XXX
Danny Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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Colder than them grits they fed slaves
Me to rap is like water to raves
Ak's with bayonets on deck, rep my set
Sorta like Squidward and his clarinet
I'm in ya bitch mouth but she fantasizing
Staring at the skinny's, said it's so tantalizing
Dawg, I'm strategizing, plotting on the throne
Master of the ace, sitting on chrome
Dark nights, tryna sleep, stomach on fire
Delusional from hunger, so I couldn't get tired
Imagining the equalizer goin' from green to red
Words that rhyme together just appear all in my head
And I'm sorta like Neo with the Matrix code
Try to escape it, hoping the drugs'll numb my soul
Say I'm getting old, time's running out
Repeating instrumentals, tryna figure patterns out
I never leave the house, ain't slept in three days
Popping pills, writing, drinking and smoking haze
Weaving kicks and snares, tryna dodge these hooks
Keepin' it original, something that's overlooked
The way a nigga goin', might go out like Sam Cooke
Or locked up, calling home for money on my books
'Cause if this shit don't work, nigga, I failed at life
Turning to these drugs, now these drugs turned my life
And it's the downward spiral, got me suicidal
But too scared to do it, so these pills'll be the rifle
Surpassing all my idols, took the wrong turn
But can't go back now, so let that blunt burn
'Cause now it's my turn if I fuck it all up
It took a while to get here, now I depend on these drugs
Uh, I took a while to get here, now I depend on these drugs
Triple X
Danny Brown’s song “XXX” is a brutally honest and dark depiction of the rapper’s struggles with addiction and his own personal demons. The first verse kicks off with a reference to the dehumanizing treatment of slaves and sets the tone for the rest of the song with its bleak imagery. Brown compares his need for rap to a raver’s need for water and describes his violent surroundings, referencing Squidward and his clarinet as he boasts about his own dangerous weapons.
The second verse delves deeper into Brown’s personal struggles with addiction, describing his lack of sleep and constant drug use as he tries to create new music. He admits to feeling old and running out of time, and uses drug use as a way to numb the pain. The chorus talks about his “downward spiral” and how he’s too scared to commit suicide, so his addiction to pills will have to suffice.
Overall, “XXX” is a raw and unflinching look at the realities of drug addiction and its ability to completely take over someone’s life. Brown’s lyrics don’t hold back and paint a vivid picture of a man on the brink of destruction. However, it’s also an incredibly powerful song and serves as a reminder that there’s always hope for those who are struggling with addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Colder than them grits they fed slaves
My rap game is cold like the food slaves were given
Me to rap is like water to raves
Rap music is essential like water to raves
Ak's with bayonets on deck, rep my set
I am representing my set, armed and dangerous
Sorta like Squidward and his clarinet
I am skilled at what I do, like Squidward with his clarinet
I'm in ya bitch mouth but she fantasizing
Your girl is thinking of me even when she's with you
Staring at the skinny's, said it's so tantalizing
I am drawn to dangerous and tempting things
Dawg, I'm strategizing, plotting on the throne
I am scheming to take over the rap game
Master of the ace, sitting on chrome
I am the master of my craft, shining like chrome
Dark nights, tryna sleep, stomach on fire
My hunger keeps me up at night and consumes me
Delusional from hunger, so I couldn't get tired
My hunger is driving me crazy and preventing me from sleeping
Imagining the equalizer goin' from green to red
Emotions are running high and I can't control them
Words that rhyme together just appear all in my head
I am constantly thinking of rhymes and ways to improve my music
And I'm sorta like Neo with the Matrix code
I am talented at what I do, like Neo with the Matrix
Try to escape it, hoping the drugs'll numb my soul
I am using drugs to escape from my problems and pain
Say I'm getting old, time's running out
I am worried that my time in the rap game is limited
Repeating instrumentals, tryna figure patterns out
I am experimenting with different beats and sounds to find my style
I never leave the house, ain't slept in three days
I am isolating myself and staying up for long periods of time
Popping pills, writing, drinking and smoking haze
I am using drugs and alcohol to fuel my creative process
Weaving kicks and snares, tryna dodge these hooks
I am creating original music and avoiding mainstream influences
Keepin' it original, something that's overlooked
My unique style is often ignored or underestimated
The way a nigga goin', might go out like Sam Cooke
I am aware that my lifestyle and drug use could lead to my early death
Or locked up, calling home for money on my books
I fear ending up in jail and relying on others for support
'Cause if this shit don't work, nigga, I failed at life
If my music career fails, I will feel like a failure in life
Turning to these drugs, now these drugs turned my life
My drug use has taken over my life and become a major problem
And it's the downward spiral, got me suicidal
My life has spiraled out of control and I am considering suicide
But too scared to do it, so these pills'll be the rifle
I am too afraid to commit suicide, so I am using drugs instead
Surpassing all my idols, took the wrong turn
I have surpassed my idols in terms of success but made poor choices along the way
But can't go back now, so let that blunt burn
I cannot change the past, so I am letting go and embracing my habits
'Cause now it's my turn if I fuck it all up
I have reached a point where I will be solely responsible for my own failure
It took a while to get here, now I depend on these drugs
Drug use has become a regular part of my routine and a coping mechanism
Uh, I took a while to get here, now I depend on these drugs
Drug use has become a crutch for me, despite my hard work and success
Triple X
The title of the song, representing the explicit and dark themes present throughout
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adam King Feeney, Daniel Sewell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Omar Mohamed
tracks 1-4 = focused and high tracks 5-6 = horny and high tracks 7-9 = experimental hard rapper and high tracks 10-12 = super high (adderall admiral being the peak) tracks 13-15 = sober and depressed tracks 16-18 = sober and focused track 19 = culmination of everything forever classic
Duck Butter
My friend died last week, and we listened to this album over and over, as well as all of the other work Danny has produced. This album hurts so fucking bad to listen to, but it brings me closer to him
Blaze
Sorry to hear that man :(
𓁟𒀭𒀝
Damn, your profile pic is still this album. You're a true one man. Your friend was lucky to have you
I've found the truth on 20 May 2020
Damn man, that's tough. Keep your head up
Samfl3
Ur homie Livin wit u still
Jack Morrison
absolutely genius. in ten years we'll look back on this album as a classic
rxs3
It's five years old.
This shit already classic.
Franklin Thompson
Only one of the albums I can listen to straight through and like every song
Igzy
gotta love clarence clarity tho <3