uuture and Kendrick Lamar combine forces on a compelling remix of “Mask Off,” a top-10 hit from Future’s self-titled album. 

Future and Kendrick Lamar shock the world, again.  Two of the most popular rappers combined forces for a remix of “Mask Off,” a hit single from Future’s self-titled album. Does the remix of “Mask Off” live up to the hype? Revisiting the original, Future deserves some credit. The production features the signature southern rap drums that characterize (and at times saturate) Future, but the sound is lighter. This change of pace adds some much-needed variance.  Substance remains an issue, but even Future has his reflective moments:

“From food stamps to a whole ‘nother domain.”

The hook is definitely druggy, yet catchy:

“Percocets, molly, Percocets / Percocets, molly, Percocets / Rep the set, gotta rep the set / Chase a check, never chase a bitch / Mask on, f*ck it, mask off / Mask on, f*ck it, mask off / Percocets, molly, Percocets / Chase a check, never chase a b*tch / Don’t chase no b*tches.”

Kendrick Lamar arrives on the second verse.  His performance is interesting to an extent – It seems as if K-Dot patterns his flow after Future in order to fit the vibe of the record.  Another interesting quirk is that Lamar anticipates questions and skepticism regarding his flow:

“How y’all let a conscious n*gga go commercial / While only makin’ conscious albums?”

He goes on later to rap, “Now y’all don’t even know how to rate him…” Nonetheless, Lamar remains confident throughout.  Sticking out his chest, he spits,

“I got ‘em all in convulsions and emotions / I put careers in negotiation…”

After a while, Lamar goes into his own world – more familiar territory, if not quite the usual level of bars we’re accustomed to. Some of his best moments appear at the end of he verse:

“She said she broken down when Prince died / B*tch, my hair down, Prince live through me / Get your ass up and be inspired / You know how many bodies in the street / Take the mask off so you can see.”

Final Thoughts 

To recap, the original has been a hit for Future.  The remix adds a little more goodness with Kendrick Lamar.  This isn’t the second coming – there have been better remixes and songs – but it worthy of spins.  Future says it best himself: “Mask on, f*ck it, mask off.”

Future ft. Kendrick Lamar • Mask Off (Remix) • Epic • Release: 5.23.17 

Photo Credit: Epic