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

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.