Assisted by Jay-Z, Future, and Beyoncé, the ever-prolific DJ Khaled returns with a new single – “another one” if you will – “Top Off.”

DJ Khaled continues to be prolific – there’s no other way to put it. It seems like just yesterday that Khaled released his 88-minute, double album, Grateful. Okay, okay – it wasn’t literally yesterday – but the overstuffed affair did arrive near the end of June 2017. Despite providing the world with ample listening during his short hiatus, he drops a new single, “Top Off.” Like most of his singles, “Top Off” is star-studded, enlisting the services of Jay-Z, Future, and Beyoncé.

“Top Off” is set in a minor key, featuring dramatic production work, which includes malicious synths. At the top, the listener is served up with a silly intro by Jay-Z, as well as shout-outs from DJ Khaled. Neither is particularly new, rousing, or surprising.  Ultimately, you can only shout “DJ Khaled!” so much, right?  The intro is followed by a repetitive, autotune heavy hook by Future.  Much like the aforementioned intro, this isn’t far-fetched for the rapper. The lyrics, however, aren’t particularly profound: “I took the top off the Maybach.” Arguably, “I see the po-po behind / Ain’t gon’ stop,” is a bit deeper.

Following the Future hook, Jay-Z delivers agile, hard-nosed, and tough-minded rhyme. While the approach he takes is appreciated, these rhymes are a stark contrast to his more personal ones on 4:44.  Beyoncé ends up being the biggest surprise of the record. After dropping somewhat warm vocals by, she changes course with tougher, more explicit, pop-rap styled vocals. Arguably, this is the best part of the record.

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Top Off” is okay at best, but by no means the crowning achievement of numerous DJ Khaled records.  Future has the weakest part of the record, while Beyoncé steals the show.

DJ Khaled • Top Off (Ft. Jay-Z, Future & Beyoncé) – Single • Epic • Release: 3.2.18

Writers: Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Brittany Coney, Denisia Andrews, Joseph Zarillo, Khaled Khaled, Nayvadius Wilburn & Shawn Carter | Producers: DJ Khaled & Joe Zarillo

Photo Credit: Epic