"Riot" is a song by American rapper and singer XXXTentacion. It was originally released on SoundCloud in May 2015, before being re-released posthumously for streaming services on June 1, 2020, amid the George Floyd protests.[1] The re-released version is slightly shorter than the original, cutting a large portion of a speech from former Ku Klux Klan leader Jeff Berry, which was used to point out the rising danger of racism, homophobia, and antisemitism in the United States.[2]
| "Riot" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by XXXTentacion | ||||
| Released |
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| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 1:19[a] | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter | ||||
| Producer | Luke White | |||
| XXXTentacion singles chronology | ||||
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Background and composition
editThe track was originally released in May 2015, after protests of the killing of Michael Brown.[1][3] The song was then released on streaming services in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed.[4] On the song, XXXTentacion is critical of the practice of rioting, while also denouncing racist and homophobic rhetoric from hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.[5] Uproxx's Derick Rossignol noted how X expresses his belief that rioters often don't consider the consequences of their actions: "Look in all the stores you wreckin', nigga, I reckon / Think about the people who own it for 'bout a second / I know you got your problems, but brother, they got theirs / This is not a game, quit violence and grow a pair". However, X also sympathizes with the frustration of those rioting after instances of police brutality: "But I won't dare say that you should stop the fuckin' ignorance / Murder opps, killin' shit, I'd enjoy the thrill of it / Bathe in blood of officers, different corpses, offin' 'em". The song ends with dialogue from former KKK leader Jeff Berry's speech during a rally, which was featured in the 1998 documentary The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History: "We see, I see, death before the children / White guys and white girls hanging from the buildings". The original song sampled more of the speech.[1]
Music video
editThe track was featured in the 2017 music video for Onfroy's 2015 track "Look at Me".[6][7][8]
Charts
editCertifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[10] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notes
edit- ↑ 2:05 for the original 2015 SoundCloud release, which included an excerpt of a Ku Klux Klan speech that was largely removed from the version released on streaming services.
References
edit- 1 2 3 "XXXTentacion's 2015 Song 'Riot' Has Been Re-Released On Streaming Services In Light Of The Protests". Uproxx. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ "XXXTentacion Leads 'F— the KKK' Chant During Concert [VIDEO]".
- ↑ "XXXTentacion's Song "Riot" Added to Streaming Services". UrbanIslandz. 9 June 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ "XXXTentacion "Riot" Added To Streaming Services During Protests". HotNewHipHop. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ "XXXTentacion Starts 'F*ck the KKK!' Chant at Revenge Tour Show". Complex Networks.
- ↑ "XXXTENTACION Gets Hung In The "Look At Me!" Video". HotNewHipHop. 12 September 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ An, Kelly (November 25, 2023). "XXXTentacion and the Struggle of Separating the Man from the Music". Flaunt. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
- ↑ "Música "Riot" do XXXTentacion é disponibilizada oficialmente em serviços de streaming". Rap 24 Horas. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ "Hot Singles Chart". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Xxxtentacion – Riot". Radioscope. Retrieved February 13, 2025. Type Riot in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Xxxtentacion – Riot". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 5, 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Riot Xxxtentacion in the "Search:" field.