Telekinesis (song)

"Telekinesis" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper and singer Travis Scott featuring fellow American singer SZA and fellow American rapper Future, released on July 28, 2023, as the penultimate track from the former's fourth studio album ''Utopia''. The song was produced by Scott and BoogzDaBeast, with additional production from Jahaan Sweet, Hudson Mohawke, and Kanye West. West is credited due to the songs use during sessions for his album ''Donda'' (2021).

Background and lawsuit

"Telekinesis" was originally a gospel song recorded for West's albums ''Jesus Is King'' (2019), and ''Donda'' (2021). It went by multiple during its production, including "Future Bounce", "Future Sounds", and "Ultrasounds". It had previously leaked online, as well as being teased in multiple promotional pieces for West. Though never released by West, the track's chord progression was eventually repurposed for ''Donda'' track "Heaven and Hell", and made the final release.

On January 8, 2025, songwriter Victory Boyd filed a copyright infringement legal complaint against Scott, SZA and Future, alleging that "Telekinesis" utilized elements of her 2019 song "Like the Way It Sounds" – reportedly written during the studio sessions for West's album ''Jesus Is King'' – without her permission. The suit alleged that Boyd, who is credited as a co-writer on "Telekinesis", shared her original song with Kanye West, who then recorded a version titled "Ultrasounds"; West then shared the track with Scott without Boyd's "authorization, knowledge or consent". She requested that all the defendants "recall and destroy" any work containing "Telekinesis". Boyd also sued watchmaker Audemars Piguet for using "Telekinesis" in a collaborative advertising campaign with Scott's Cactus Jack brand, despite her refusal to grant them a license.

Composition

Through most of the song, soft, wavy synthesizers are played in the production. During Travis Scott's chorus refrain, the instrumental uses "quick snare hits, deep bass, trill hi-hats, and industrial tones", coming in when he proclaims "the future of the bounce". Future's lyrics revolve around isolation increasing his drug addiction, while SZA laments losing a past lover, referencing the song "Marvins Room" by Drake. The track samples "Arena — 83 bpm" by Wallis Lane.

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with particular acclaim towards SZA's appearance. ''Complex''s Stefan Breskin considered it the best song from ''Utopia'', while Eric Skelton commented that the song "jumped out on first listen" and Mike Destefano called it a "close second" for him. Jessica McKinney and Destefano also regarded the song as having among the album's best features. Gabriel Bras Nevares of ''HotNewHipHop'' said, "Out of all the gorgeous moments on this new LP, 'Telekinesis' with Future and SZA is one of the most ascendant." He further stated "SZA's beautiful vocal performance and rapping paired perfectly with rising synths and string arrangements" and compared the song to Travis Scott and Beyoncé's "Delresto (Echoes)" in that "'Telekinesis' opts for consistent and elevatory progressions rather than a big payoff. As a result, it might not gratify you on impact, but every melody and second of its journey will work its way into you."

Vivian Medithi of ''HipHopDX'' commented "Unlike the rest of Scott's 'Donda''leftovers, ''Utopia'' breathes new life into the track, if only by passing the baton to Future and SZA", before calling the song a "great example of why people bother with these records in the first place." ''Pitchfork''s Alphonse Pierre wrote that "Future is strong over the orchestral beat of 'Telekinesis,' and I like when he raps, 'Countin' so much money till my skin peel.' SZA is here, too, sounding good and sounding like she's collecting a check." Andre Gee of ''Rolling Stone'' commented that Scott had a "solid verse" on the song, also praising Future's verses, adding that, "When Future laments on 'Telekinesis' that he's 'takin' more drugs all alone in a mansion/Walkin' around tweakin' with the yop in my hands,' you feel like someone's finally depicting what rich-nigga nihilism is supposed to sound like." Ben Devlin of ''MusicOMH'' wrote that "Scott's match-making reaches its apex" in the song.

Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of ''Billboard'' ranked it as the best song from ''Utopia''.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Future songs

2023 songs
Travis Scott songs
SZA songs
Future (rapper) songs
Song recordings produced by Travis Scott
Song recordings produced by Kanye West
Song recordings produced by Jahaan Sweet
Song recordings produced by Hudson Mohawke
Songs written by Travis Scott
Songs written by SZA
Songs written by Future (rapper)
Songs written by Kanye West
Songs written by Jahaan Sweet