Every Feature on UTOPIA by Travis Scott

Released: 2023

Label: Cactus Jack/Epic

Features: Teezo Touchdown, Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, Rob49, 21 Savage, The Weeknd, Swae Lee, Yung Lean, Dave Chappelle, Young Thug, Westside Gunn, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, SZA, Future, James Blake

Travis Scott’s ‘UTOPIA’ isn’t just about his vision – it’s about the collective energy of the artists he brings together. This album’s features are like a who’s who of this imaginary world, with each collaborator adding their own piece to the puzzle.

Here we’re focussing on those features, so let’s break down and rank every guest appearance and how they contribute to UTOPIA.

Features: Playboi Carti

The track oscillates between moments of introspection and outright exuberance, encapsulating the essence of chasing thrills in the dead of night. A standout line, “The career’s more at stake when you in your prime,” sheds light on the weight of expectations and the pressure to remain at the pinnacle in one’s prime time. This line, couched within the repetitive chanting of “FE!N,” underscores the addictive nature of success and the perpetual battle with one’s demons, manifesting a raw portrayal of vulnerability amidst the glitz.

Features: SZA, Future

Travis Scott, SZA, and Future’s reflections on fame, personal growth, and the fleeting nature of material success. Travis introspects on his ascent and the hollow fulfillment that accompanied his achievements: “Used to wanna be rich, then it finally happened / Thought it’d make me happy (thought it’d make me happy).” This standout line encapsulates the song’s essence, challenging the listener to look beyond the surface allure of fame and fortune. SZA and Future add depth with their contemplations on love, loyalty, and existential musings, urging a look towards a future where internal peace surpasses external success. Together, they weave a narrative that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, echoing the complexities of navigating life’s highs and lows while in the relentless spotlight.

Features: Rob49, 21 Savage

The lyrics boast an intricate lifestyle of jets, exotic travels, and fleeting romantic encounters, encapsulating the high-flying life that Scott’s music often orbits. A standout line, “Lie to shorty like I hate her, fuck her like I love her,” captures the song’s essence, reflecting the complex dynamics of love and lust wrapped in a flashy, carefree lifestyle. The synergy between Travis, Rob49, and 21 Savage delivers a sound as lavish as the life they depict, each verse adding layers to this vivid tableau.

Features: James Blake, 21 Savage

James Blake’s hauntingly ethereal chorus contrasts sharply with 21 Savage’s raw, unapologetic verse, painting a vivid picture of emotional turmoil and complexity. 21 Savage’s blunt confession, “My mama always told me, ‘Put yourself first,’” highlights a stark self-awareness and a candid exploration of personal flaws and the consequences of prioritizing oneself over the relationship. The song’s layered composition, featuring both artists’ distinctive styles, creates a compelling narrative on vulnerability and loss.

Features: Young Thug

Travis Scott and Young Thug blend their creative liberties to sketch a vivid tableau of their nocturnal escapades and lifestyle rich with hedonism and caution. Amidst the wealth and opulence, there’s an undercurrent of vulnerability and introspection. One standout line, “I stick to the code, binary like I’s and O’s,” cleverly plays on the themes of loyalty and the ever-present scrutiny in their lives. This track maneuvers through the complexities of fame, trust, and the constant juggle of public image versus private realities, all while maintaining a sharp, hard-hitting delivery that punctuates the duo’s navigations through their glittering, yet treacherously ephemeral world.

Features: The Weeknd, Swae Lee

Through vivid imagery and introspective bars, the track delves into the chaotic allure of fame, contrasting the dazzling heights with its isolating lows. It’s a testament to the fragility behind the spectacle, capturing the essence of modern celebrity—a walking attraction yet unnaturally breathing. A standout line, “God done gave me strength,” encapsulates the divine resilience required to navigate the tumultuous landscape they portray, weaving a narrative that’s both reflective and defiant. This track is a powerful reminder of the complexities that come with living in the spotlight, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of the public eye.

Features: Kid Cudi

Teaming up with Kid Cudi to create a track that’s all about the intoxication of adoration and swagger. This song drips with the confidence of two artists at the top of their game, making it clear that they’re well aware of the love and respect they command both in and out of the music scene. Through a haze of hedonism and braggadocio, they paint a picture of a lifestyle that’s as enviable as it is unattainable for the average listener. A standout line, “This a new religion, come and have mass with us,” not only showcases their influence but invites listeners into their world, blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane.

Features: Westside Gunn

Through vivid imagery of luxury juxtaposed with the raw realities of the streets, they explore themes of identity, ambition, and the perpetual struggle against external forces. A standout line encapsulating the song’s essence is, “I’m just one angel away from blockin’ out the devil,” laying bare the constant balancing act between vice and virtue, success and self-destruction, in their journey through fame and fortune.

Features: Bad Bunny, The Weeknd

Bad Bunny and The Weeknd add their blend of cultural references with a touch of romance and hedonism, all set against a backdrop of global jet-setting from Miami to Cannes and Saint-Tropez. The standout line, “Mix the drugs with the pain, let the waves lead the way,” captures the essence of seeking solace and escape through the highs of both love and substance. This intoxicating mix of luxury, love, and languor encapsulates the song’s exploration of fleeting connections in glamorous locales. The artists interweave their experiences, bridging languages and geographies, to ponder the universal question of love’s sincerity amidst the opulence that surrounds them.