17 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer XXXTentacion. It was released on August 25, 2017, by Bad Vibes Forever and Empire Distribution. With a runtime of just under 22 minutes, 17 is a brief album and does not feature a song longer than three minutes. The album was supported by the lead single "Revenge", and is XXXTentacion's second commercial record, following the compilation mixtape of the same name (2017). 17 includes a sole guest appearance from Trippie Redd and heavy sampling of Shiloh Dynasty, and production was handled by XXXTentacion, among others.
The album is built on acoustic and piano-driven songs, rather than the "turn-up" style and distortion bass sounds that was popular in XXXTentacion's native Florida scene. It experiments with a variety of genres, such as emo, lo-fi, indie rock, alternative R&B and grunge, while the lyrics are based around themes such as suicide, failed relationships, and infidelity. XXXTentacion stated that the album's target audience is people who suffer with depression, and that the album is also an "entry" into his mind.
The album produced the singles "Jocelyn Flores", and "Fuck Love". "Jocelyn Flores", "Revenge", "Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares", "Depression & Obsession", "Save Me" and "Carry On" all debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. "Jocelyn Flores", "Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares" and "Fuck Love" also debuted in the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart.
Although 17 was marketed with no radio play or much press coverage, it was a commercial success and was positively reviewed by several publications. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 87,000 album-equivalent units, and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also charted highly in numerous European countries, including top five positions in Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Sweden, and a number one position in Norway. The album has also been certified platinum in Canada, Denmark and New Zealand. XXXTentacion posthumously won Favourite Soul/R&B Album for 17 at the 2018 American Music Awards.
Background
While XXXTentacion was in jail for battery charges on his allegedly pregnant ex-girlfriend, he signed an exclusive distribution deal with Empire Distribution. Empire Distribution made an official announcement on March 2, 2017, while he was still in jail that his debut album Bad Vibes would be released in spring 2017. Talking to XXX while in jail, XXXTentacion announced 17, I Need Jesus, and Members Only, Vol. 3 saying: I got this really really, really good album called 17. That's more of an alternative, R&B sound. Then I've got this mixtape called I Need Jesus, which is mainly rap and the underground sound I did. So I'm trying to give my fans and anybody that comes in and listens to me everything with the mixtape and album. And then I want to come out with Members Only Vol. 3. People are gonna be really surprised about the shit I drop.XXXTentacion later reaffirmed the announcement of 17, Revenge, Members Only Vol. 3 and I Need Jesus during an interview with WMIB following his release from prison in March 2017. He later used the app Periscope to talk to his followers and announce the three albums once again. He later said that 17 would be released after he finished working on Members Only Vol. 3 with his collective, "Members Only". Members Only Vol. 3 was released on June 26, 2017. He began to preview short snippets on his Instagram page that were later taken down, one of the snippets had the caption "Working on the album, what do you think?".
Themes and composition
XXXTentacion stated that the album's target audience is people who suffer with depression, and that the album is a 'gateway' into his mind. The lyrics for 17 are based around suicide, failed relationships, and infidelity. It also focuses on events in XXXTentacion's life and involves a lot of internal dialogue. Speaking on the sound of 17, XXXTentacion explained that the album was different from his previous works, saying "If you listen to me to get hype or to not think, don't buy this album, this one is for the depression, for the depressed ones, for the lost ones."
Speaking to XXL, XXXTentacion said the album would consist of "an alternative R&B sound". The album takes a different style from XXXTentacion's traditional music which is often considered rap rock and trap music. The album adapts different genres of music, including emo and indie rock to create an unconventional style that fits within the genre of alternative R&B. The album itself is produced mainly by XXXTentacion, Natra Average and Potsu, a producer who generally creates lo-fi instrumental hip hop on SoundCloud.