Source: pigeonsandplanes.com
Travis Scott, as usual, has brought out the best from a gang of collaborators on his new album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight. He rounded up an impressive cast ranging from André 3000 and Kid Cudi to 21 Savage and Kendrick Lamar, and he didn’t announce the guest spots beforehand, so each new voice was a surprise for everyone who listened to the album for the first time live during Scott’s Beats 1 radio show.
Out of all the show-stealing appearances, here are our favorite 10 features onBirds in the Trap Sing McKnight, ranked from 10 to 1.
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10. Nav
Image via NavSong: “beibs in the trap”
Despite the title and Travis Scott’s friendly relationship with Justin Bieber, “Beibs In The Trap” doesn’t actually feature The Biebs, but fellow Canadian vocalist Nav happily takes his place. Painting drugged-out scenes with an effortlessly melodic delivery, he brings a welcomed touch of Toronto moodiness to one of the album’s mellowest tracks—impressively avoiding the potential corniness of a repeated Bieber/cocaine metaphor.
9. Bryson Tiller
Image via YouTubeSong: “first take”
Travis Scott has melodies for days, but his execution is often so intense and cinematic that it borders on downright chaotic. On “first take,” he slows things down for the smoothest song on the project. That’s where Bryson Tiller comes in.
8. Cassie
Song: “sdp interlude”
“SDP Interlude” is by far the most surprising song on Travis Scott’s album. Most of the other tracks fit somewhere into his vocal effect heavy trap rap sound, but this one floats out of the speakers, all hazy melodies and heavy reverb. At the center of it all is Cassie, appearing out of the mist to deliver one of albums low key catchiest hooks.
Honestly, this one might have been better if Travis had stayed off it entirely, but regardless, it’s the perfect antidote to the hard edges of the rest of the album, and a perfectly placed interlude.
7. The Weeknd
Image via InstagramSong: “wonderful”
The Weeknd’s voice makes every song better. From upbeat pop hits to trap features to comedown anthems, he’s grown into an artist who can do it all, and he’s a natural addition on Birds in the Trap album closer “wonderful.” There’s nothing entirely new here, but Abel flexes his hook game, declares his love for bitches who bite, and somehow manages to draw out the word “seat” for five syllables. Nice.
