Still wondering who "X" is? Anyway, I had a very similar start to my youth, and too, found redemption only after the loss of a loved one. Even though it took death to turn me around, I'm sure he's proud that it was him that was responsible for my turn-around! ;) Good write up!
X is a rapper called XXXTentacion, he was murdered near my hometown of Miami, his music got me through alot of times. I always knew his troubled past was shitty, but I thought he had more time to change his life. He was in the process. It's just humbling.
Oh right, I heard about him on the radio. Never heard of him b4 that tho...