Hundreds of fans waited hours in line at the BB&T Center for a chance to peer into his coffin and pay their last respects to the musician, who was killed in a shooting last Monday.
The event took the form of an open-casket viewing, albeit an unconventional one in the middle of a huge sports arena. A video montage of X's career — from interview clips and concert footage to a news report of a riot that broke out in Los Angeles after his death — flashed on the Jumbotron. His music played on the loudspeakers, and the somber nature of songs such as "Sad!" and "Revenge" were oddly fitting for the occasion.
Doors opened for the viewing at noon, but a massive line had formed in the hot sun outside the arena by 11:30 a.m. Almost no one dressed formally — attendees donned streetwear like Bape and Commes des Garçons or homemade T-shirts and items from X's brand, Revenge. The predominant color was, of course, black.
X's multi-ethnic fan base was apparent, with black, Latino, white, and Asian mourners lining up to see him off. Most fans were no older than 20 and rushed to the doors as security began letting people in, some expecting guest appearances by familiar faces such as Ski Mask the Slump God. Chatter became less pronounced as they entered the floor and began waiting in the snaking line, and the full weight of the moment began to wash over.
One young woman in black used a tissue to wipe away tears, while a boy in a Young Thug hoodie barely held back sobs. A section was set aside beyond the casket for those overwhelmed with emotion to sit and collect themselves.
Every so often, the line lurched to a halt as a famous mourner arrived. Denzel Curry, ignoring chants of "ULT! "ULT!" from the crowd, was spotted walking out of the arena before doors opened to the public at noon. Inside, fans in line craned their necks for a glimpse of Lil Uzi Vert or Lil Yachty as they paid their respects.
Rather than engaging with fans, the other rappers stuck together. For them, X's death was obviously the loss of a friend and a member of their community.
Outside, fans lingered as dark clouds formed to the north. Jack, a 14-year-old wearing a Revenge hoodie and braids, said that he felt "like the world ended" when he heard Onfroy had died but that he "felt closer to him than... ever" upon seeing him today.
XXXTentacion fan Taylor, age 20, bleached and braided his hair in honor of the slain musician.
Douglas Markowitz
"It felt worse than a heartbreak," Kilo said of his friend's death. But seeing X at the memorial helped him find closure. "It put me at peace when I went up there."
