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Telekinesis (song)

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For the Ne-Yo song, see Libra Scale.
"Telekinesis"
Song by Travis Scott featuring SZA and Future
from the album Utopia
ReleasedJuly 28, 2023
Recorded2019–2023
GenreHip hop
Length5:53
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Telekinesis" is a song by American rapper and singer Travis Scott featuring fellow American singer SZA and fellow American rapper Future, released on July 28, 2023, as the penultimate track from the former's fourth studio album Utopia. The song was produced by Scott and BoogzDaBeast, with additional production from Jahaan Sweet, Hudson Mohawke, and Kanye West, as the song was originally for the latter's Donda (2021).

Background

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The song was originally a gospel song recorded for Kanye West's album Donda, first under the title of "Future Bounce", then renamed as "Future Sounds", and then renamed as "Ultrasounds". It previously also leaked and teased online. Changes in the final version include the production and exclusion of West's vocals.[1][2][3][4][5] Despite being given to Travis Scott, the track's chord progression ended up being repurposed into West's song "Heaven and Hell", which did make its way onto Donda.

Composition

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Through most of the song, soft, wavy synthesizers are played in the production. During Travis Scott's chorus refrain, the instrumental uses "quick snare hits, deep bass, trill hi-hats, and industrial tones",[1] coming in when he proclaims "the future of the bounce". Future's lyrics revolve around isolation increasing his drug addiction,[6][7] while SZA laments losing a past lover, referencing the song "Marvins Room" by Drake.[6] The track samples "Arena —- 83 bpm" by Wallis Lane.

Critical reception

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The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with particular acclaim towards SZA's appearance. Complex's Stefan Breskin considered it the best song from Utopia, while Eric Skelton commented that the song "jumped out on first listen" and Mike Destefano called it a "close second" for him. Jessica McKinney and Destefano also regarded the song as having among the album's best features.[8] Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop said, "Out of all the gorgeous moments on this new LP, 'Telekinesis' with Future and SZA is one of the most ascendant." He further stated "SZA's beautiful vocal performance and rapping paired perfectly with rising synths and string arrangements" and compared the song to Travis Scott and Beyoncé's "Delresto (Echoes)" in that "'Telekinesis' opts for consistent and elevatory progressions rather than a big payoff. As a result, it might not gratify you on impact, but every melody and second of its journey will work its way into you."[1] Vivian Medithi of HipHopDX commented "Unlike the rest of Scott's leftovers, UTOPIA breathes new life into the track, if only by passing the baton to Future and SZA", before calling the song a "great example of why people bother with these records in the first place."[4] Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre wrote that "Future is strong over the orchestral beat of 'Telekinesis,' and I like when he raps, 'Countin' so much money till my skin peel.' SZA is here, too, sounding good and sounding like she's collecting a check."[9] Andre Gee of Rolling Stone commented that Scott had a "solid verse" in the song, and "When Future laments on 'Telekinesis' that he's 'takin' more drugs all alone in a mansion/Walkin' around tweakin' with the yop in my hands," you feel like someone's finally depicting what rich-nigga nihilism is supposed to sound like."[7] Ben Devlin of MusicOMH wrote that "Scott's match-making reaches its apex" in the song.[6]

Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Billboard ranked it as the best song from Utopia.[10]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Telekinesis"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[34] Gold 20,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[35] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[37] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Nevares, Gabriel Bras (July 30, 2023). "Travis Scott, Future & SZA Soar Through Space On "Utopia"'s "Telekinesis"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  2. ^ Galindo, Thomas (2023-07-29). "Review: Travis Scott's Return on 'Utopia' is Everything Rap Needed, and Then Some". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  3. ^ Leake, Desmond (August 1, 2023). "Travis Scott's Utopia: In With the Old and Out With the New". Paste. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b Medithi, Vivian- (2023-07-30). "'Utopia' Is More Boring Than Travis Scott". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. ^ Kanye West (Ft. Travis Scott) – Ultrasounds, retrieved 2023-08-20
  6. ^ a b c Devlin, Ben (August 4, 2023). "Travis Scott – Utopia". MusicOMH. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b Gee, Andre (July 31, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Is an Empty Paradise". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ McKinney, Jessica; Caraballo, Ecleen Luzmila; Skelton, Eric; Rose, Jordan; Breskin, Stefan; Destefano, Mike; Felderstein, Ben (July 28, 2023). "First Impressions Of Travis Scott's New Album 'Utopia'". Complex. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  9. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (July 31, 2023). "Travis Scott: Utopia Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  10. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 28, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Album: All 19 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 31. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 35/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  22. ^ "2023 31-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  25. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". VG-lista. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  33. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  34. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 11, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Telekinesis in the search box.
  36. ^ "British single certifications – Travis Scott/Sza/Future – Telekinesis". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "American single certifications – Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
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