Meaning of “Moonlight” by XXXTentacion

“Moonlight” is a song by the late American rapper and singer XXXTentacion. The song’s lyrics mainly see XXXTentacion shower heavy compliments on a girl he is in love with. He tells her how she looks good in the “moonlight”. In the song, X also addresses his detractors by referring to them as p***y n****s and asking them why they are “trippin'”. It is not explicitly clear who these detractors are.

Few months after this track was released, on June 18, 2018, XXXTentacion was shot and killed in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was just 20 year old at the time of his shocking death.

Facts about “Moonlight”

• The song was co-written by XXXTentacion and his collaborator songwriter and music producer John Cunningham. The latter also produced the track. Cunningham also co-wrote and produced several XXXTentacion songs including “Changes” and “Sad“.
• The track was release on March 2, 2018 from X’s second studio album which goes by the title ?.
• The song has a total length of 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
• The official music video for “Moonlight” came out few months after X’s tragic death. The clip was officially released on October 1, 2018.
• The song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

You can watch the song’s official music video below. It was directed by music video director JMP. However, X wrote and creatively directed it.

The video ends with the words “Energy never dies. He is amongst us. Long live Jah.”It is clear the first two lines are a tribute to X. Despite the fact that he’s physically dead, X still lives on through his music.

Does “Moonlight” sample any song(s)?

No, it doesn’t.

Was the music video shot before X’s death?

Yes. We say yes because X wrote and played the role of the video’s creative director.