Released: 2018
Label: Creed 2 Soundtrack
Featuring: Lil Wayne, Bon Iver, Crime Mob, Slim Jxmmi, Eearz, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Nas, Rick Ross, Young Thug, Swae Lee, Ari Lennox, J. Cole, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Rae Sremmurd, Kodak Black, Gucci Mane, YG, Trouble, Quavo, Juicy J, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Nicki Minaj, Tessa Thompson, Gunna, Ama Lou, Vince Staples, Ludwig Göransson, Ella Mai
When Mike WiLL Made-It steps onto the scene, his fingerprints are palpable, yet the spotlight remains firmly on the artist he’s representing. This ethos is multiplied in ‘Creed II: The Album’, a soundtrack to a blockbuster movie that dips deep into the reservoir of hip-hop royalty. Released in 2018, the opus exemplifies Mike WiLL’s knack for assembling a solid pack of music elite. From the lyrical finesse of Nas and Rick Ross in ‘Check’, to the sinewy verses of Young Thug and Swae Lee in ‘Fate’, and the harmonious duet of Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar in ‘The Mantra’, each track is an entity in itself, yet collectively they morph into an ardent composition that embodies the spirit of “Creed II”. This exploration aims to dissect, appreciate and contemplate the creative dexterity present in each track, providing insight into the curatorial genius of Mike WiLL Made-It. So let’s get into it. From ‘Amen’ to ‘Love Me Like That’, here we are breaking down the album “Creed II: The Album” by Mike WiLL Made-It.
1 Amen
Features: Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne, with his lyrical prowess, draws parallels between personal struggles and the cosmic journey, touching on themes from societal issues to personal accountability. A standout line, “Vibrating floors from my groundbreaking bars,” not only showcases Wayne’s self-confidence in his lyrical impact but also reflects the vibrancy and dynamism that faith and hard work bring to overcoming life’s challenges.
2 Do You Need Power?
Features: Bon Iver
It captures a raw sense of vulnerability juxtaposed with the human determination to overcome, making it a fitting anthem for any monumental struggle or comeback. A standout line, “Do I need power? Do you need power?” resonates deeply, asking a universal question about the essence and necessity of power in our lives, whether it’s to triumph over personal battles or simply to push forward.
3 We Can Hit
Features: Crime Mob, Slim Jxmmi
It’s a call to arms in the truest sense, reflecting the hustle and showdown of life’s battles. The track doesn’t just bite; it roars, mirroring the adrenaline and intensity of a pre-fight hype-up. A standout line, “Bitch please, I’m like Creed, don’t I make a nigga bleed?” embodies the raw, unfiltered energy and fighting spirit that courses through the track, making it a mantra for anyone ready to square up and face their challenges head-on.
4 Kill ‘Em With Success
Features: Eearz, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz
Each verse showcases the artists’ journey from overlooked to overbooked, encapsulating the grind with lyrical dexterity. 2 Chainz delivers a memorable blow with the line, “I’m ’bout to kill ’em with success, somebody call my attorney,” embodying the track’s ethos of triumph through relentless progress. The collaboration is a high-energy anthem for anyone hustling to turn their underdog status into undoubted success.
5 Check
Features: Nas, Rick Ross
Nas, with his unflinching honesty, delivers a line that cuts deep, “Had to check my fear, that’s why they respect Nasir,” encapsulating the fight against internal and external demons. Rick Ross complements this with a display of luxury as resilience, a testament to triumph over adversity. Together, they weave a narrative of strength, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of respect, mirroring the intense, calculated nature of a chess match—a strategic battle for supremacy in life’s arena.
6 Fate
Features: Young Thug, Swae Lee
Their introspective verses delve into themes of ambition, love, and the inevitable face-off with destiny. Swae Lee’s harmonious plea, “Pretty baby, I won’t lie, I can’t get it right, one shot,” encapsulates the song’s essence, highlighting the vulnerability and the stakes involved in chasing dreams. The reflective nature of the lyrics, combined with the artists’ delivery, makes “Fate” a standout track, offering listeners a glimpse into the complexities of fame, choices, and the deep yearning for a legacy.
7 Shea Butter Baby
Features: Ari Lennox, J. Cole
Cole’s introspective verses. This track is a deep dive into sensuality and the raw, unfiltered moments that define modern relationships. Highlighting the physical and emotional ties that bind, it’s the blend of Lennox’s allure and Cole’s reflective realism that hits. A standout line, “Shea Butter Baby, fucking up your pillow,” captures the essence of this entanglement, symbolizing the messy, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic nature of being deeply intertwined with another.
8 The Mantra
Features: Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar
Pharrell and Kendrick interchange verses with a fluidity that accentuates their prowess, laying down lines that are both introspective and braggadocious. The standout hard-hitting line, “If what you doing don’t help you elevate, far as I’m concerned, it’s in the way,” encapsulates the song’s essence. It emphasizes the need for progression and the dismissal of anything, or anyone, that hinders growth. “The Mantra” serves as a testament to the resilience and ambition that define both artists’ careers.
9 Watching Me
Features: Rae Sremmurd, Kodak Black
They explore the emotional toll of continuous observation, reflecting on personal growth and the relentless pursuit of their goals, despite the obstacles and judgements they face. A standout line that encapsulates this sentiment comes from Kodak Black’s contemplative verse: “Ever since I came up, yeah, I’ve been living like tomorrow ain’t gon’ come.” This line highlights the relentless pressure and the drive to live in the moment, acknowledging the precarious balance between fame and personal fulfillment.
10 F.I.G.H.T.
Features: Eearz, Gucci Mane, YG, Trouble, Quavo, Juicy J
With a killer lineup featuring Eearz, Gucci Mane, YG, Trouble, Quavo, and Juicy J, the track goes hard on survival, loyalty, and the rough path to success. Each artist brings their own flavor, but it’s the shared hustle and relentless spirit that bind this banger. A standout line by Gucci Mane, “I’m the dope man, everybody know me,” not only showcases his legendary status but also encapsulates the grind and recognition every artist on this track is fighting for. It’s a showcase of resilience, making it clear that in this game, you’ve got to fight to make it to the top.
11 Runnin
Features: A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Nicki Minaj
Between A$AP Rocky’s vivid narratives of overcoming adversity and Nicki’s assertive declarations of undisputed supremacy, the track encapsulates the relentless pursuit of success against all odds. In a rally of back-to-back hard hitters, Nicki Minaj stands out with, “Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, I’ma take it like a klepto,” encapsulating the hustle’s intensity. This line alone embodies the spirit of never yielding, always advancing – a core theme of hip-hop’s gritty ethos.
12 Midnight
Features: Tessa Thompson, Gunna
This track, meshed with Tessa Thompson and Gunna’s smooth delivery, showcases the tension and allure of a night cloaked in desire. It’s about the gravitational pull towards someone, the clash between control and surrender. Gunna’s verse, “Midnight, met her at her room at midnight,” captures the essence of the song—a clandestine rendezvous that marks the beginning of an enthralling journey. It’s a narrative of getting so close to someone that all barriers collapse, underlined by the seductive chaos of letting go.
13 Bless Me –
Features: Ama Lou
Through assertive requests for blessings amidst trials, the song captures the essence of navigating life’s uncertainties with resilience. A standout line, “I have been patient,” embodies the endurance required in the face of adversity, reflecting a poignant acknowledgment of the strength in patience amidst life’s waiting game.
14 Ice Cold
Features: Vince Staples, Ludwig Göransson
With a tone both chilling and assertive, Staples declares, “Just don’t count me out, yeah,” encapsulating the fighter’s spirit and the relentless pursuit of greatness, irrespective of the odds stacked against him. This line not only reinforces the track’s overarching theme of tenacity but also seamlessly ties into the narrative of overcoming through sheer will and determination.
15 Love Me Like That
Features: Ella Mai
Ella doesn’t just yearn for affection; she craves a connection so deep, it monopolizes thoughts and blurs boundaries. A standout line that hits hard, “Love me in extremes, not the middle ‘Till you’re so damn gone, you can’t go back,” embodies this song’s core—demanding a love that’s fervent, not lukewarm, a love that reshapes one’s existence into a testament of unparalleled devotion.
