X
by ScHoolboy Q (featuring 2 Chainz)

Album: Black Panther: The Album (2018)
Charted: 45 49
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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.

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