Top 10 Travis Scott Songs

Before Jacques Berman Webster II packed up and moved to LA to grow into one of the biggest rappers of the 2010s, his early stomping grounds were in the ‘Space City’ of Houston, Texas. This is helpful for decoding “Mamacita,” a red-hot track that sees Scott, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug bond over their shared love of Latina women. For those who don’t speak Spanish, “Mamacita” translates to ‘little mama’. Scott’s hometown has the third-largest Hispanic population in the US, and throughout the lyrics Trav spells out that even though he may have made it to the big leagues, he stills likes the girls from back home.

Travis has become known for his intoxicating production, and this track is no different. The NAV-produced beat is drowsy and hard at the same time, its gradual build-up nearly reflecting the effects of substances taking hold. And no, despite its title, “beibs in the trap” has nothing to do with Justin Bieber. Using “beibs” as a euphemism for cocaine, Scott uses the term interchangeably with the names of other icons that symbolize whiteness. With a standout feature and beat from NAV and memorable lines from Travis, “biebs in the trap” has all the makings of a LaFlame classic.  

Scott’s third studio album “Astroworld” was supposed to sound like an amusement park, and if that’s the case, then “Sicko Mode,” his third collab with Drake, is Astroworld’s rollercoaster. A sonic saga consisting of three parts and beat switches galore, the track was produced by Tay Keith of “Look Alive” infamy. Drake and Travis blend perfectly, each sharing their exploits as heavyweights of the rap game. Slang for the state of giving it your all and going for broke, “Sicko Mode” exemplifies why they’ve become two of the most successful in the industry.

The first single from “Days Before Rodeo” opens on a bone-chilling note with a sample from, of all artists, English indie rock group The 1975. The track that follows is a statement Travis means so gravely that he must repeat it numerous times to get his point across. Toss in a flaming hot beat courtesy of Vinylz and Allen Ritter, a guest verse from Big Sean, and it becomes clear that Travis and co. are unflinchingly serious about taking no prisoners on their climb to the top.

While “beibs in the trap” may allude to Bieber’s status without really being about him, “Maria I’m Drunk” famously features a rap verse from the young popstar… and let’s not kid ourselves, the kid goes off. But besides Bieber getting the chance to exhibit his impeccable rap skills, “Maria I’m Drunk” is a twilight odyssey about searching for Maria… who may be less of an individual than marijuana personified as a girl. Life on the road can be exhausting, and this song lays bare the lengths Trav, Justin and Young Thug will go to unwind after sundown, which mostly includes calling your friends to get drunk.

This first taste of ASTROWORLD was offered up in May of 2017, and would quickly become one of Travis’s best selling songs. It was also one of his first tracks with the superstar Toronto producer Murda Beatz, who provided the aqueous and hard-hitting beat. Grappling with a recurring theme that appears throughout the Travis Scott discography, “Butterfly Effect” details the sugar-sweet life of Hollywood excess and its darker and irreversible side effects. While also referencing the vertical or ‘butterfly’ doors on a Lambo, the track’s underlying message is dark, but it comes cocooned in an infectious beat and a trippy, rainbow-coloured music video.

There’s no question that Scott’s 5th collab with Young Thug and 4th with Quavo was a team made in heaven. “Pick Up the Phone” was a major success and went Platinum, even though its meaning is actually rooted in failure.  In their respective verses, each rapper expresses their state of unrequited love due to unanswered calls and texts from girls they know are really only pretending to be unavailable.  It’s built on themes of fidelity and commitment, but between Travis yelling “it’s lit!” and Thugger’s flex of a verse, it has all the trappings of a nightclub anthem.

#3: “90210” feat. Kacy Hill Rodeo (2015)

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The All-American Rejects On 'Kids in the Street,' '90210'

This ZIP code is best known for being re-appropriated as the title for teen TV series “90210,” which Travis pays homage to while exposing the darker underworld of Beverly Hills.The song paints a picture of a valley girl on a quest to find the right alley, which may insinuate drug dealing, sexual exploits, or any sort of other illicit activity. Yet somewhere beyond that alley, melodic keys segue into the song’s part 2, widening its scope from the shady search for pleasure into a divulgence about Travis’s family life. Don’t let its Barbie-inspired video fool you: “90210” is flowing with emotional depth.

The second single from “Rodeo” wasn’t even supposed to be on Travis’s album… but after an unofficial SoundCloud drop and swiftly becoming a fan favourite, “Antidote” evolved into one of Travis’s hugest songs. And for good reason: it’s irresistibly catchy, exhibiting Travis’s aptitude for producing a radio-friendly hook. Its lyrics also spotlight his frequent subject matter of popping pills and partying, while casting the drug-fueled lifestyle in the most sombre of tints. Travis is clearly weighed down by a lot of personal demons which is why he resorts to weed, so don’t even think about opening up that window.    Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Drugs You Should Try It” Days Before Rodeo (2014) “Upper Echelon” feat. T.I. & 2 Chainz Owl Pharaoh (2013)  “Oh My Dis Side” feat. Quavo Rodeo (2015)

 “Goosebumps” is at once a love story and a ghost story, which makes sense given Travis wrote it at one of the darkest times in his life. On the surface it’s about the tingling sensation he feels both near and far from the girl he loves, although said goosebumps could also be a veiled reference to withdrawal symptoms from prescription drug abuse. It teams Scott with one of his idols, K.Dot, who gives us absolute bars in a verse written from the perspective of the girl. “Goosebumps” boasts one of the best beats of Scott’s career, making it a mystery why so many artists, including Drake, Rihanna and Schoolboy Q, first passed on the beat.