''Monster'' is the thirteenth

mixtape In the modern music industry, a mixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of an album or extended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists mo ...

by American rapper

Future The future is the time after the past and present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently ex ...

. It was released on October 28, 2014 by Freebandz Entertainment. Along with '' Beast Mode'' and '' 56 Nights'', it is considered one of "a trilogy of album-quality mixtapes" that Future released following '' Honest''. The mixtape was executive produced by

Metro Boomin Leland Tyler Wayne (born September 16, 1993), known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer and music executive. Widely acclaimed for his dark and cinematic production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential p ...

. On October 28, 2019, ''Monster'' was released onto streaming platforms in celebration of five years since release, excluding the tracks "Intro", "Abu's Boomin" and "Fuck Up Some Commas"; the latter of which is available on streaming services through Future's 2015 album '' DS2''.

Critical reception

Monster was critically acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It is widely considered to be one of Future‘s best works and one of the best hip hop projects. In ''

Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, Habit (psychology), habit or item generally considered morally wrong in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhe ...

'',

Robert Christgau Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and later became a ...

gave ''Monster'' a "B+" and described it as "strong like pop so seldom is. Vulnerable like pop so seldom is too." Sam C. Mac from ''

Slant Magazine ''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New Yor ...

'' gave ''Monster'' three-and-a-half out of five stars, while ''

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

'' critic Colin McGuire gave it six out of ten stars. Future explores a darker sound on this mixtape due to the help of producer

. According to '' XXL'', Future shines on this mixtape even without the help of other rappers since the record only includes one guest verse from

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. * Seth Firkins – mixing * Glenn Schick – mastering

Charts

"Codeine Crazy"

According to the song's producer, TM88, "Codeine Crazy" samples Cedric Gervais' remix of " Summertime Sadness" by

Lana Del Rey Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1985), known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Lana Del Rey discography, Her music is noted for its melancholic exploration of Glamour (presentation), glamor and Romanc ...

, and he originally created the beat for

Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( ), is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time, she is noted for her ...

. A music video for "Codeine Crazy" was released on February 23, 2015. The American rapper

Vic Mensa Victor Kwesi Mensah (born June 6, 1993), known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, he was a member of the regional hip hop groups Kids These Days (band), Kids These Days and Savemoney prior to releasing ...

released a cover of the song later that same year. In 2022, Luke Hinz of ''

HotNewHipHop ''HotNewHipHop'' (HNHH) is an online publication that covers daily news about hip hop and pop culture, including streetwear, sports, and Sneaker collecting, sneakers. In addition to its editorial content, HotNewHipHop also produces the video seri ...

'' retrospectively called the song "one of trap music's lasting contributions" and "a haunting translation of a low point in Future's life that renders a truthful depiction of the rapper in all his drugged up glory". '' The Ringer'' listed "Codeine Crazy" as the ninth-best rap song of the 2010s, with ''

Complex Complex commonly refers to: * Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe ** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...

'' ranking it as Future's all time best song in 2018. The song has sold half a million units, earning it an

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

Gold certification in 2022.

References

{{Future (rapper) 2014 mixtape albums Future (rapper) mixtape albums Albums produced by Southside (record producer) Albums produced by Metro Boomin Albums produced by Nard & B Albums produced by TM88 Freebandz mixtape albums