DJ Khaled, POPSTAR | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-winner DJ Khaled taps Grammy-winner Drake for “POPSTAR,” a formulaic, lukewarm trap banger at best.

DJ Khaled is back – did he ever really go away though? On cue, a new album is on the horizon (Khaled Khaled), and ‘WE THE BEST’ has called upon Drake for not just one but TWO singles.  The two singles are “GREECE” and “POPSTAR.” We’ll pick apart – err – examine the latter here! Let’s just say, the bar isn’t particularly high when it comes to either artist as of late. No shade, just facts…

“POPSTAR” is a banger, at least by design. It’s certainly built upon a formula to say the least.  Pretty much, this is your ‘by the book,’ bravado-heavy trap joint.  The production by Khaled, OZ, and David & Eli is sound, just as we’d expect.  Is it game changing? No, but it gets the job done.  Focusing on the star, Drake, well, he’s locked-in to high flex mode, which is clear when the chorus drops right after the brief intro:

“Bitches callin’ my phone like I’m locked up, nonstop
From the plane to the fuckin’ helicopter, yeah
Cops pullin’ up like I’m givin’ drugs out, nah, nah
I’m a pop star, not a doctor.”

Deep stuff – says no one! Even so, I’d argue this is one of the selling points of “POPSTAR,” even if it lacks profundity.  At least Drake is edgier than what we usually see. Beyond the chorus, things don’t get any deeper as Drake spends his time flexing about his tough, swagger-laden ‘pop star status’ which includes any girl he wants, anything he wants – etc., etc., etc.!

Final Thoughts 

If you enjoy a basic, non-transcendent trap banger, then you’ll probably be onboard with this DJ Khaled/Drake collaboration.  As temporary dessert, it’s successful.  The question is, will we be talking about how lit “POPSTAR” is years from now? Doubtful.

DJ Khaled • “POPSTAR” (Ft Drake) • OVO / We The Best / Epic • Release: 7.17.20

Photo Credits: OVO / We The Best / Epic