FE!N (feat. Playboi Carti)

"FE!N" is a deep dive into the concept of intense craving and addiction, not limited to substances, but extending to a lifestyle of fame, excess, and relentless ambition. The title itself is a stylized slang for "fiend," which refers to someone with a powerful, often uncontrollable desire for something. The song's hypnotic and repetitive chorus, simply chanting "FE!N," drills this central theme of obsessive yearning into the listener's mind. Travis Scott's verses explore the dual nature of his success. He acknowledges the immense pressure of being in his prime ("The career's more at stake when you in your prime") and the constant demands from those around him ("They just want a piece of mine"). His lyrics contrast a pursuit of "peace of mind" with indulgence in substances like lean ("What I'm sippin' not kombucha, either pink or brown"), symbolizing an escape into a hedonistic, yet draining, lifestyle. Playboi Carti's verse introduces a darker, more paranoid edge to this world of excess. His lyrics about having "pistols all in the kitchen" and not being able to share his location point to the danger and secrecy that accompany their high-stakes life. Ultimately, the song portrays a cycle of craving and consumption, where the artists are addicted to the thrill, the luxury, and the chaos of their celebrity, making it a powerful commentary on the highs and lows of modern stardom.

The song's narrative plunges the listener into a relentless, nocturnal world of hedonism and the pressures of a high-stakes lifestyle. It opens with an invitation to step into this world, a space illuminated not by natural light but by the flash of diamond jewelry from a famed celebrity jeweler, Johnny Dang. This sets the stage for a journey fueled by an intense, almost manic energy, described as being “out geekin’”. The core of the song is the repeated, hypnotic chant of “Fe!n,” a slang term derived from “fiend.” This isn't just a word; it's the central motif representing an insatiable addiction. This addiction is multifaceted, referring not only to substances but also to the intoxicating lifestyle of fame, success, and constant stimulation.

The first verse, delivered by Travis Scott, delves into the paradox of being at the peak of one's career. He expresses a cavalier attitude towards contracts and money, suggesting his identity and brand are the real assets. Yet, this success comes at a cost. He speaks of flying out of town to find “peace of mind,” a temporary escape from the chaos. However, the escape is fleeting as everyone—fans, industry, and associates—wants a “piece” of him, a clever play on words highlighting the constant demands and lack of true peace. He explicitly contrasts his indulgences with mainstream wellness trends, stating what he's sipping is “not kombucha, either pink or brown,” a direct reference to lean (a codeine-based drink), underscoring his commitment to a self-destructive yet thrilling path. He positions himself as a gatekeeper to this world, the one who introduces others to this heightened, intense version of reality.

Playboi Carti’s entrance shifts the song’s texture. Adopting a new, deeper vocal register, he adds a layer of raw, menacing energy. His verse paints a picture of paranoia and readiness for conflict, which is inherent to this lifestyle. Lines like “Pistols all in the kitchen, can’t give the zip code up” depict a life where danger is always close, and trust is a luxury. He boasts about his dominance and his crew’s loyalty (“Homixide”), reinforcing the theme of living on the edge. His flow is both a brag and a warning, a chaotic stream-of-consciousness that mirrors the disorienting nature of their world. He echoes the theme of addiction, being “in the spot, fiendin’,” and describes a life of excess—icing out his partners and living a life others can only dream of. The collaboration between the two artists culminates in a shared expression of this all-consuming hunger, a life lived in a perpetual state of “feining” where the desire for more is the only constant.

"FE!N" was created for Travis Scott's fourth studio album, UTOPIA, and was officially released on July 28, 2023. The song was primarily produced by Travis Scott himself, with additional production contributions from the acclaimed, Juilliard-trained producer Jahaan Sweet. The writing credits include Travis Scott (Jacques Webster II), Playboi Carti (Jordan Carter), Sheck Wes (Khadimou Fall), and Jahaan Sweet. An early version of the song featured a full verse from Sheck Wes and a different vocal take from Playboi Carti, which was showcased in Scott's accompanying film, Circus Maximus. In an interview with Complex, Scott revealed the song was mostly complete when he presented it to Playboi Carti in Atlanta. He compared his instinct about "FE!N" to his certainty about his hit "SICKO MODE," keeping it under wraps until it was perfect. Carti reportedly reacted with immense enthusiasm and recorded his verse on the spot. Producer Jahaan Sweet shared that the collaboration took place in a creative studio environment in France, where Scott arrived with a foundational drum loop and hook, which they then built upon, with Sweet adding new layers using instruments like a Juno synthesizer. The track was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and Miraval Studios in France, with Mike Dean handling the mixing and mastering.

"FE!N" is characterized by a driving, high-tempo rhythm that is central to its identity as a rage anthem. The song maintains a fast and energetic pace from start to finish, propelled by a relentless trap beat with prominent, skittering hi-hats and a booming bass. The rhythmic structure is designed to be hypnotic and is a key reason for its effectiveness in live settings, particularly the famous mosh pits at Scott's concerts. The lyrical rhythm often follows a loose, conversational flow that syncs with the trap beat. Travis Scott's verses employ a mix of internal and end rhymes, but the structure is more akin to free verse, prioritizing flow and delivery over a strict, traditional rhyme scheme. Playboi Carti's verse is even more rhythmically complex, with his deep voice and ad-libs creating a syncopated, almost percussive effect against the beat. The most dominant rhythmic element is the chorus, where the monosyllabic chant of "FE!N" acts as a rhythmic hook, creating a powerful, easy-to-remember cadence that the entire instrumental revolves around. This interplay between the complex verses and the simple, forceful chorus defines the song's dynamic structure.

"FE!N" is a prime example of the 'rage' microgenre of trap music, characterized by its energetic, gritty, and intense beat.

• Vocal Delivery: The song showcases a significant stylistic contrast between the two main artists. Travis Scott employs his signature autotune-heavy, melodic flow, creating a hypnotic effect, especially in the repetitive chorus. In a notable departure from his well-known high-pitched "baby voice," Playboi Carti delivers his verse in a much deeper, guttural, and raspy register, which was a new vocal style for him at the time. This deep voice adds a raw, aggressive, and almost menacing texture to the track, complementing the dark, energetic beat. Sheck Wes also contributes ad-libs, adding another vocal layer.
• Production: The production, led by Travis Scott and Jahaan Sweet, is built on a foundation of hard-hitting, fast-paced trap drums and a prominent, alarm-like synthesizer loop that runs through the track, creating a sense of urgency and relentless energy. The use of a Juno synthesizer by Sweet added distinct layers to the beat. Mike Dean's mixing and mastering gives the song a polished yet powerful sonic quality.
• Lyrical Devices: The song heavily relies on repetition, with the hook "FE!N" acting as a powerful, memorable anchor. Scott uses wordplay, such as the dual meaning of "peace/piece," to add depth to his lyrics about the pressures of fame. The lyrics are filled with modern slang and cultural references (e.g., "Johnny Dang") that ground the song in contemporary hip-hop culture.

"FE!N" became one of the most popular and impactful tracks from Travis Scott's 2023 album, UTOPIA. It debuted at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Scott's 14th top-ten hit and Playboi Carti's highest-charting song to date. The song was a massive commercial success, accumulating over one billion streams on Spotify by November 2024, becoming Scott's sixth song and Carti's first to reach this milestone. Its popularity was amplified by its viral success on platforms like TikTok, where it spawned numerous memes and trends. The song gained further notoriety through its live performances on Scott's Circus Maximus Tour. He famously performed the song multiple times in a row—up to 12 times at one show—in response to the crowd's immense energy, making headlines and solidifying its status as a moshpit anthem. The track was performed by Scott and Carti at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024. Its cultural reach extended beyond music, as it was selected as an official theme song for WWE's WrestleMania 41. The official music video, directed by Gabriel Moses, was released in March 2024, featuring a hypnotic, rotating camera style that matched the song's disorienting energy.

The central symbol of "FE!N" is the word itself, a stylized representation of "fiend." This symbolizes an all-encompassing addiction that serves as the song's foundation. This isn't just a literal addiction to drugs, but a metaphorical addiction to a high-octane lifestyle. It represents an insatiable hunger for success, wealth, adrenaline, and the chaotic energy of fame. The repetitive chant of "FE!N" throughout the chorus acts as a mantra, mimicking the persistent, gnawing nature of a craving. Scott's lyric, "I been flyin' out of town for some peace of mind," is juxtaposed with the line, "they just want a piece of mine." This wordplay presents a metaphor for his mental state, where his search for tranquility is constantly eroded by the demands of others who want a part of his success, effectively leaving him with no peace. The mention of sipping on something "either pink or brown" is a direct metaphorical reference to lean (codeine syrup), contrasting a self-destructive indulgence with the healthy alternative of kombucha, symbolizing a conscious choice to embrace a more dangerous and hedonistic path. Playboi Carti's references to "pistols all in the kitchen" serve as a stark symbol of the paranoia and inherent danger that underpins their luxurious lifestyle, suggesting that wealth and fame offer no true safety.

The most significant and defining recurring motif in "FE!N" is the titular phrase itself. The word "FE!N" is repeated hypnotically and relentlessly throughout the chorus, acting as the song's central hook and thematic anchor. This repetition is not just for catchiness; it musically embodies the concept of an obsessive, insatiable craving that the song explores. It becomes a chant, a mantra of addiction to a lifestyle of excess. Another recurring idea is the contrast between seeking escape and being consumed by fame. Travis Scott brings up the motif of travel for "peace of mind," immediately undercut by the realization that "they just want a piece of mine." This highlights a core conflict of his celebrity. Playboi Carti introduces the recurring motif of paranoia and aggression with lines about weapons ("pistols all in the kitchen") and confronting opposition ("we poppin' your tires"), which reinforces the dangerous undercurrent of their world. The combined brand mention "Double O, Cactus" also appears, symbolizing the fusion of their luxury (Rolls Royce) and personal brands (Cactus Jack).