The album features a wide range of guest appearances from artists including PnB Rock, Trippie Redd, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Killstation, Noah Cyrus, Tom G, Tory Lanez, Mavado, Craig Xen, Kemba, Joey Badass, Sauce Walka, Carnage, Ky-Mani Marley, Stefflon Don, Vybz Kartel, Jimmy Levy, Joyner Lucas, Ikabod Veins, and Blink-182.

Bad Vibes Forever received mostly negative reviews from critics and debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, earning 65,000 album-equivalent units.

Bad Vibes Forever was initially planned as XXXTentacion's debut album, with a slated release date of October 31, 2016.

[8] On November 12, 2019, a teaser for the album and XXXTentacion's clothing line, also titled Bad Vibes Forever, was released through his Instagram story.

[11] "Royalty", featuring Ky-Mani Marley, Stefflon Don and Vybz Kartel, was released on July 19, 2019, as the album's lead single.

"Hearteater", originally a scrapped track from ?, was teased on October 18, 2019, with a picture of XXXTentacion's ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, eating a bloody heart.

[13] A music video for the track was also announced, and features Ayala, who had previously accused the rapper of domestic abuse.