In the eighth and ninth spots on the latest Billboard Hot 100 are two songs I’ve already featured: Ariana Grande’s ‘No Tears Left to Cry‘ and Post Malone’s ‘Psycho.’ The Grande track is, of course, a banger.
Rounding out the top ten is a song that made a huge leap on the charts for a not-so-great reason. Rapper XXXTENTACION’s ‘Sad!’ jumped from #52 to #1 after his murder by two masked men on June 18. He became the first artist to score a #1 hit posthumously since the Notorious B.I.G. did it in 1997 with ‘Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.’
His death also generated heated debate over whether it was appropriate to mourn somebody whose musical legacy was tarnished by an extremely problematic personal life, including physical abuse of his pregnant girlfriend.
I guess the sweet spot lies somewhere between “the music is all that matters” and “he had it coming.”
This is the first XXXTENTACION song I’ve ever heard. It’s different, and better, than I expected but it’s also likely the last time he’ll ever cross my mind.
(Yeah)
[Chorus]
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
[Verse]
I gave her everything
She took my heart and left me lonely
I think broken heart’s contagious
I won’t fix, I’d rather weep
I’m lost then I’m found
But it’s torture bein’ in love
I love when you’re around
But I fuckin’ hate when you leave
[Chorus]
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Chorus]
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah
Meet Me In Montauk 
I assume the song leapt to number one based on the new way the rankings are determined incorporating Youtube and streaming services since many people wanted to hear at least once what this guy’s music was about after his murder.