TELEKINESIS (feat. SZA & Future)

"TELEKINESIS" is a complex tapestry of themes that explores the dichotomy between material success and spiritual fulfillment, the isolating nature of fame, and the messy realities of modern relationships. The song's title itself, while literally meaning the ability to move objects with the mind, is used metaphorically to represent a form of precognition or heightened awareness. Travis Scott uses this concept to frame his vision of a transcendent future, one that promises a glorious afterlife, contrasting sharply with the hedonistic and often empty present.

Future's verse sets a somber tone, portraying the loneliness and paranoia that can accompany immense wealth and success. His lyrics about taking drugs alone in a mansion paint a vivid picture of the hollowness that material possessions cannot fill. This theme of disillusionment is central to the song, questioning the ultimate value of fame and fortune.

SZA's contribution provides a raw and honest look at a dysfunctional relationship. She grapples with infidelity and the mutual toxicity she shares with her partner. Her verse highlights the difficult choice to remain with someone despite their flaws, suggesting a complicated form of love and acceptance that thrives in their shared imperfection. Her reference to Drake's "Marvin's Room" adds another layer, connecting her personal narrative to a well-known story of late-night loneliness and romantic longing.

Ultimately, the song weaves these individual narratives together to create a broader commentary on the human condition in the modern world. It juxtaposes the search for spiritual meaning with the pitfalls of a materialistic lifestyle and the complexities of love and connection in a world of temptation and public scrutiny.

The song unfolds as a multi-faceted narrative exploring the complexities of fame, wealth, and relationships. It begins with Future reflecting on the emptiness that can accompany the fulfillment of materialistic dreams. He recounts achieving his desires for riches and romantic encounters with R&B stars, only to find that these accomplishments didn't bring him the happiness he expected. His verse delves into a past marked by a lack of a father figure and the streets raising him, leading to a life of solitude within a mansion, where he turns to drugs to cope with his loneliness and paranoia. He also touches upon the superficiality of the industry, with others trying to imitate his style and women being drawn to his wealth.

Travis Scott's chorus and bridge shift the perspective to a more spiritual and prophetic plane. He speaks of seeing the future, a vision of ascending to a glorious, eternal life. This premonition is tied to biblical themes of the second coming, with references to trumpets heralding an unannounced arrival. He contrasts this celestial vision with the chaotic reality of his life, navigating through challenges with his crew ("troopers") and avoiding negativity. The mention of 'Sky walkin' 'round like I'm Luke-uh' adds a pop culture reference, likening his journey to that of a powerful, transcendent figure.

SZA's verse brings the narrative back to a more grounded, yet emotionally turbulent, reality of a complex relationship. She confronts a partner's infidelity, acknowledging that he was with another woman he met at a party. Despite this betrayal and the mutual acknowledgment that they are both flawed individuals ("we both ain't shit"), she expresses a continued desire to be with him, finding a strange functionality in their toxic dynamic. Her lyrics convey a raw and honest portrayal of choosing to stay in a relationship that is admittedly unhealthy, hinting at a shared understanding of their imperfections. She feels a sense of shame in their public connection but is simultaneously drawn to the intensity of their bond. The verse concludes with a sense of resignation and a complex form of acceptance of their shared brokenness.

The creation of "TELEKINESIS" is a story of evolution and collaboration that spans several years. The song's origins trace back to recording sessions for Kanye West's albums, initially titled "Jesus Is King" and later "Donda," between 2019 and 2021. During this period, the track went through various iterations with working titles such as "Future Bounce," "Future Sounds," and "Ultrasounds." Leaked versions of these earlier demos circulated online, giving fans a glimpse into its development.

The original concept was more of a gospel track, and some of its chord progressions were eventually repurposed for the song "Heaven and Hell" on West's final version of "Donda." Travis Scott, who was featured on the demo "Future Sounds," eventually received the track from West and heavily reworked it for his own album, "Utopia." This reworking involved bringing in Future and SZA to add their distinct perspectives, shifting the song's thematic focus from purely religious to a broader exploration of fame, relationships, and spirituality. The recording for the final version took place between 2019 and 2023 at various locations, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Miraval Studios in Correns, France.

The song was produced by Travis Scott and BoogzDaBeast, with additional production credits going to Jahaan Sweet, Hudson Mohawke, and Kanye West, whose contribution from the "Donda" sessions was acknowledged. A significant legal issue arose in January 2025 when songwriter Victory Boyd filed a copyright infringement lawsuit. Boyd, who is credited as a writer on the track, alleged that "TELEKINESIS" used elements from her 2019 song "Like the Way It Sounds" without her permission. She claimed to have shared her song with Kanye West during the "Jesus Is King" sessions, which West then allegedly passed to Scott without her consent.

The rhyme and rhythm of "TELEKINESIS" are integral to its hypnotic and evolving feel. The song operates at a tempo of around 83-89 beats per minute (BPM) with a 4/4 time signature, creating a deliberate, walking pace that allows the lyrics and atmospheric production to breathe. This mid-tempo groove is versatile enough to support both the introspective verses and the more expansive chorus sections.

The rhyme schemes are generally fluid and do not adhere to a strict, predictable pattern, leaning more towards a free verse style that is common in contemporary hip-hop. The artists employ a mix of perfect and slant rhymes to create a natural, conversational flow. For instance, in Future's verse, you can see end rhymes like "sad" and "dad," and internal rhymes that add to the lyrical density.

The rhythmic interplay between the vocal deliveries and the instrumental is a key feature. Future's flow is more laid-back and melancholic, sitting comfortably within the beat. Travis Scott's rhythm is more dynamic, shifting between a syncopated, off-kilter delivery in his post-chorus and a more soaring, anthemic feel in the main chorus. SZA's section introduces another rhythmic flavor, blending melodic singing with rapped passages that accelerate and decelerate to convey her emotional state. The track's percussive elements, especially the introduction of trill hi-hats and quick snare hits during the chorus, create a rhythmic shift that elevates the song's energy, contrasting with the softer, synth-led verses. This rhythmic dynamism mirrors the song's thematic shifts between introspection and spiritual ascension.

"TELEKINESIS" showcases a range of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its distinctive, atmospheric quality.

• Vocal Autotune and Delivery: Travis Scott employs his signature use of Auto-Tune, not as a corrective tool, but as an expressive instrument to create an emotional and ethereal vocal texture. His delivery shifts between melodic crooning and faster-paced rapping, adding dynamic variety to the track.
• Atmospheric Production: The song's production is characterized by its layering of textures. It opens with soft, wavy synthesizers that create a dreamlike state. This builds into a more dynamic section during Scott's chorus, incorporating quick snare hits, deep bass, and industrial tones, creating a sense of elevation and intensity. The combination of psychedelic, electronic, and trap elements produces a deep and fascinating sound experience.
• Dynamic Shifts and Progression: The song is structured around a gradual build-up rather than a single, immediate payoff. This elevatory progression allows the track to work its way into the listener's consciousness, with each melody and instrumental layer adding to the overall journey. The tempo changes and shifts in instrumentation create an ambiance that matches the song's contemplative themes.
• Sampling: The track samples "Arena — 83 bpm" by Wallis Lane, which contributes to its foundational soundscape. This use of sampling adds another layer to the song's sonic palette.
• Collaborative Contrast: The song effectively uses its featured artists to create a narrative triptych. Future's weary and melancholic delivery provides a grounded, somber counterpoint to Scott's more ascendant and spiritual verses. SZA's verse, with her beautiful vocal performance and rapping, offers a raw, emotional perspective on relationships, adding a crucial human element to the track's grander themes.
• Lyrical Allusions: SZA's verse includes an allusion to Drake's song "Marvins Room," both in its thematic content of post-breakup complexities and in its emotional tone. This reference adds a layer of intertextuality for listeners familiar with contemporary R&B and hip-hop.

"TELEKINESIS" was released on July 28, 2023, as the penultimate track on Travis Scott's highly anticipated fourth studio album, "Utopia." The album itself was a major cultural event, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and achieving the biggest streaming week for an album in the UK in 2023. All 19 songs from "Utopia," including "TELEKINESIS," debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, a testament to the album's immense popularity.

The song received generally positive reviews from critics, many of whom highlighted it as a standout track on the album. The features from SZA and Future were particularly praised, with Complex magazine's critics naming it the best song on "Utopia." Billboard also ranked it as the best song from the album. Critics noted its "ascendant" and "gorgeous" quality, and praised its elevatory progression and SZA's beautiful vocal performance.

The song's history as a reworked Kanye West demo, originally known as "Future Sounds," also generated significant discussion among fans and critics, adding to its allure and cultural conversation. This backstory provided a point of comparison and debate, with some listeners expressing a preference for the original leaked versions.

In early 2025, the song became the subject of a high-profile copyright lawsuit filed by songwriter Victory Boyd, which brought further media attention to the track and its creation process. The lawsuit also involved luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, who had used the song in an advertising campaign with Scott's Cactus Jack brand.

"TELEKINESIS" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its thematic complexity.

• Telekinesis as Precognition: The central metaphor of the song, "telekinesis," is not used in its literal sense of moving objects with the mind. Instead, it symbolizes a form of foresight or seeing into the future. Travis Scott uses this to express his ability to perceive a spiritual destiny beyond his current reality. This reinterpretation of the term from a physical power to a mental and spiritual one is a key element of the song's meaning. Some have suggested that "Telepathy" might have been a more fitting title, given the lyrics about hearing thoughts and seeing the future.
• Biblical and Eschatological Imagery: Scott's verses are laden with imagery from the Book of Revelation, particularly the idea of Jesus's victorious return accompanied by trumpets. The line "He gon' pop up unannounced, To the trumpets, do you like the way it sounds?" directly references this eschatological event, framing his personal vision of the future within a larger, spiritual narrative. This creates a contrast between the sacred and the profane elements present in the other verses.
• Luke Skywalker and Bruce Wayne: Scott employs pop culture metaphors to describe his navigation through life. He likens himself to Luke Skywalker when he says, "Sky walkin' 'round like I'm Luke-uh," suggesting a sense of being on a heroic, almost otherworldly journey. The reference to "Duckin' all these convos like I'm Bruce-uh, super" alludes to Bruce Wayne (Batman), symbolizing a desire to avoid trivial conversations and maintain a sense of mystery and focus, much like a reclusive superhero.
• The Mansion: Future's verse uses a mansion as a symbol of hollow success. It is a vast, luxurious space where he is ultimately alone, and his isolation drives him to substance abuse. The mansion, typically a symbol of achievement, is transformed into a gilded cage, representing the loneliness that often accompanies fame.

"TELEKINESIS" features several recurring phrases and motifs that anchor the song's themes and enhance its memorability.

• "I can see the future": This is the most prominent recurring phrase, appearing in Travis Scott's chorus and bridge. Its repetition emphasizes the song's central theme of precognition and spiritual foresight. The phrase serves as the lyrical core, tying together the otherwise disparate narratives of the three artists. It's the anchor for the song's more hopeful and transcendent moments.
• "Do you like the way it sounds?": This question, which concludes Scott's chorus about the impending arrival of trumpets, is another key recurring element. It directly engages the listener, asking them to consider the auditory experience of this prophesied event. The line originates from the demo "Future Sounds" and was a central part of the original concept. Its repetition acts as a rhetorical hook, prompting reflection on the song's spiritual undertones.
• The Future of the Bounce: This phrase, which Scott proclaims in the post-chorus, is a more cryptic motif. It could be interpreted as a declaration of his influence on the future sound of music, or as a more abstract reference to the song's rhythmic and energetic shifts. Its recurrence adds to the track's confident and forward-looking tone.
• Coldness: Future and SZA both touch upon a motif of coldness in their verses, though from different angles. Future's depiction of a lonely, drug-fueled existence in a mansion has a cold, isolating feel. SZA's lines about the dysfunctional relationship also carry a certain emotional coldness, even as she admits to wanting to stay. This recurring feeling of emotional distance and detachment provides a stark contrast to the warmth and glory envisioned in Scott's chorus.