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XXX (Kendrick Lamar song)

Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:47:17 PM Wikipedia source

"XXX" (stylized as "XXX.", pronounced "X-Rated") 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 (fourth on the Collector's Edition of Damn), the song was written by Lamar, Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi, Mark Spears a.k.a. 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. The song charted in multiple countries in 2017. These countries include Ireland, New Zealand, United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, and Sweden. Though it only appeared for 1 week for the New Zealand, Sweden, and United Kingdom charts, it stayed for 3 weeks on Ireland and United States charts, and remained on the Canada music charts for 4 weeks. The highest the song ever reached on any country's primary music chart was at number 22 in Ireland.

Infobox

Recorded
2017
Studio
Jungle City Studios
Genre
Progressive rap
Length
4:14
Label
Top DawgAftermathInterscope
Songwriters
Kendrick DuckworthMichael Williams IIDacoury NatcheMark SpearsAnthony TiffithPaul HewsonDavid EvansAdam ClaytonLarry Mullen Jr.
Producers
Mike Will Made ItDJ DahiSounwaveTop DawgBēkon

Tables

· Charts
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Chart (2017)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Peak position
36
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Chart (2017)
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Peak position
78
France (SNEP)
France (SNEP)
Chart (2017)
France (SNEP)
Peak position
126
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (2017)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peak position
22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (2017)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Peak position
60
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Chart (2017)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Peak position
31
Portugal (AFP)
Portugal (AFP)
Chart (2017)
Portugal (AFP)
Peak position
30
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Chart (2017)
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)
Peak position
46
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2017)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak position
82
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (2017)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peak position
50
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (2017)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peak position
33
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
Chart (2017)
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
Peak position
19
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)
Chart (2017)
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)
Peak position
15
Chart (2017)
Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
36
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)
78
France (SNEP)
126
Ireland (IRMA)
22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
60
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
31
Portugal (AFP)
30
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)
46
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
82
UK Singles (OCC)
50
US Billboard Hot 100
33
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
19
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)
15
· Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Region
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
200,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)
Platinum
70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)
Platinum
80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Gold
15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
Silver
200,000‡
United States (RIAA)
Gold
500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Otago Daily Times
    https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/music/kendrick-lamar-top-10
  2. DocDroid
    https://www.docdroid.net/rYHzAok/digital-booklet-damn-copy.pdf.html#page=6
  3. XXL
    http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/12/kendrick-lamar-surprises-fans-damn-collectors-edition/
  4. Pitchfork
    http://pitchfork.com/news/72855-u2s-bono-features-on-kendrick-lamars-new-song-xxx-listen/
  5. The No Repeat Guarantee with Andy Bush
    https://audioboom.com/posts/6274059-bono-on-new-music-an-oasis-reunion-and-more
  6. acharts.co
    https://acharts.co/song/105875
  7. Bustle
    https://www.bustle.com/p/kendrick-lamar-u2s-xxx-lyrics-are-about-speaking-truth-to-power-51233
  8. DAMN.
    http://www.stereogum.com/1935193/premature-evaluation-kendrick-lamar-damn/franchises/premature-evaluation/
  9. Spin
    http://www.spin.com/2017/04/kendrick-lamar-xxx-u2/
  10. Kendrick Lamar (Ft. U2) – XXX.
    https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-xxx-lyrics
  11. Kendrick Lamar – Little Johnny
    https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-little-johnny-lyrics
  12. UPROXX
    http://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-damn-u2-xxx/
  13. Bustle
    https://www.bustle.com/p/kendrick-lamar-u2s-xxx-lyrics-are-about-speaking-truth-to-power-51233
  14. The Diamondback
    https://dbknews.com/0999/12/31/arc-mzsukpx3wfg5voxhangcjxgi3q/
  15. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/04/24/kendrick-lamar-ends-coachella-weekend-2-on-a-high-note/100836666/
  16. setlist.fm
    http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kendrick-lamar/2017/empire-polo-grounds-indio-ca-2be62806.html
  17. AZ Central
    http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/07/12/kendrick-lamar-tour-launch-concert-review/463182001/
  18. XXL
    http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/01/kendrick-lamar-performs-xxx-dna-2018-grammy-awards/
  19. www.grammy.com
    https://www.grammy.com/videos/watch-kendrick-lamar-u2-dave-chappelle-open-2018-grammys-grammy-rewind
  20. setlist.fm
    https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kendrick-lamar/2018/little-johns-farm-reading-england-13e83d51.html
  21. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Kendrick-Lamar/chart-history/CAN
  22. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017 in the da
    https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/30
  23. "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX." (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
    https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kendrick+Lamar+feat.+U2&titel=XXX.&cat=s
  24. "IRMA – Irish Charts"
    http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles
  25. "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
    https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Kendrick+Lamar+feat.+U2&titel=XXX.&cat=s
  26. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart"
    https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-04-21
  27. "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
    http://portuguesecharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kendrick+Lamar+feat.+U2&titel=XXX.&cat=s
  28. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017
    https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/43
  29. "Kendrick Lamar feat. U2 – XXX.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
    https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kendrick+Lamar+feat.+U2&titel=XXX.&cat=s
  30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20170421/7501/
  31. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Kendrick-Lamar/chart-history/HSI
  32. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Kendrick-Lamar/chart-history/BSI
  33. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Kendrick-Lamar/chart-history/RAP
  34. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles"
    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/AMdhOf4iGEmYJ6OQbGyumAE/2024%20Accreditations%20-%20Singles.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf
  35. "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX (ft. U2)"
    https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=XXX+%28ft.+U2%29%20Kendrick+Lamar
  36. "New Zealand single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX"
    https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/
  37. "British single certifications – Kendrick Lamar & U2 – Xxx"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/20220-6858-1
  38. "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – XXX"
    https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kendrick+Lamar&ti=XXX&format=Single&type=#search_section
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