X
by ScHoolboy Q (featuring 2 Chainz)

Album: Black Panther: The Album (2018)
Charted: 45 49
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Middle Eastern-tinged banger features South African rapper Saudi spitting braggadocio rhymes with Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz and an uncredited Kendrick Lamar. The song was recorded for Black Panther The Album and makes heavy reference to the movie's plot.

    Somebody pop all day (hol' up)
    Somebody on they way (hol' up)
    I wore the crown all day (hol' up)
    Somebody can't relate (hol' up)


    "X" especially captures Black Panther's mentality regarding his challengers to the throne of the fictional African nation of Wakanda.
  • The song title references the respectful symbol and greeting of the Wakandans: the signature crossed arms in an X.
  • Saudi performs the first verse of "X," following Lamar's introductory hook. The South African rapper, born Anele Mbisha, weaves a number of Zulu references throughout his verse, even drawing comparisons of founding father Ben Franklin to South African leader Nelson Mandela.

    Got Benjamin Franklin phezulu koMadiba
    So tough on the jungle
    I keep the piece on me, I leave you puzzled.


    The Zulu line "Got Benjamin Franklin phezulu koMadiba (No-homo)" translates to "Benjamin Franklin on top of Madiba." Benjamin Franklin's face appears on $100 bills in US currency and "Madiba" (a nickname for Nelson Mandela) features on the South African Rand.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.