Background and release
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On July 2, 2016, 21 Savage announced his collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, sharing the artwork and the release date.[3] On July 14, he shared the EP's track listing and released "X" featuring Future as the project's first single.[4][1] He released Savage Mode on July 15.[5] While talking about the song's success in an interview with Rolling Out magazine, he said; "I knew the song was taking off when I looked at iTunes and saw the numbers and all the views".[6]
Eric Diep of HipHopDX wrote that "X" is "a good entry point for listeners just learning about 21".[7] Niya Hogans from Rolling Out gave the song a positive review, saying that it has "catchy lyrics and a dope beat".[6] Rolling Stone ranked it at number 21 on its 50 Best Songs of 2016 list, commenting: “The Atlanta trap contender teams up with Future for a thugged-and-drugged banger, boasting "I spent your rent at the mall," while producer Metro Boomin gives it all a creepy cinematic vibe.”[8] Fact named it as one of the 20 best rap and R&B tracks of 2016.[9]
The music video for "X" was released on December 25, 2016. The video was directed by Vincent Lou.[10]
On September 17, 2016, 21 Savage performed the song at the BET Hip Hop Awards, which aired in the next month.[11]
