Travis Scott enjoyed a meteoric rise to mainstream stardom in 2017 without even dropping a solo album.
La Flame did team up with Quavo to finally release their highly anticipated Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho joint project to close out a busy 2017 campaign, and the 25-year-old was one of the hardest-working artists in hip-hop, popping up as a feature on almost every major project released last year.
Scott embarked on his 25-city Birds Eye View tour across the United States in support of his sophomore LP, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, which made stops at Coachella and Bonnaroo in the spring. The tour produced numerous viral clips inside the chaotic venues — stamping the “Goosebumps” artist as one of the most electrifying live performers in hip-hop today.
The summer didn’t slow down La Flame’s unwavering work ethic, as he hopped on Kendrick Lamar‘s DAMN. tour, performing as the opener to Kung Fu Kenny. The duo teamed up to craft an epic show in front of packed arenas, while captivating the minds of fans with an appealing stage design, which featured Travis performing on a mechanical bird. It won’t be long until the Houston native headlines his own arena tour dates.
With Mike Dean‘s masterful production at his disposal, the sky is the limit for the Kid Cudi-inspired artist, who is expected to release his third solo album at some point in early 2018 before heading out on an accompanying AstroWorld tour. The “Antidote” artist notched his first top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. The rumored father-to-be joined Quavo as a featured artist on Drake‘s “Portland,” which peaked at No. 9 back in April, in addition to uniting with SZA on the platinum-certified “Love Galore” ballad.
La Flame has undoubtedly carved out his own lane in hip-hop with his precise use of Auto-Tune over synth-filled production. The self-proclaimed nerd even launched his own label, properly titled Cactus Jack Records. The G.O.O.D. Music affiliate has already released a plethora of content by the age of 25, so let’s delve into the Grand Hustle artist’s discography and attempt to rank the top 10 features Cactus Jack has given out in his career. 2018 may very well shape up as the coronation of Travis Scott.
10. Meek Mill feat. Travis Scott – “I Get It”
The braggadocious record marked Scott’s introduction to mainstream hip-hop with his appearance on Meek Mill‘s highly regarded Dreamchasers 2 mixtape. The Philly native connects with Travis, as the duo boast their newfound lavish lifestyle and ability to woo any women they please. A young Cactus Jack lays off the Auto-Tune to conclude his verse with a shout-out to Meek: “Ride around just me and Meek, a couple dimes and that’s 20/ Sit behind while we pull around, we might blind with canaries.”
9. Lil Uzi Vert feat. Quavo & Travis Scott – “Go Off”
A car and hip-hop fan’s dream scenario. The rock stars of rap teamed up for the second single from the Fate of the Furious soundtrack, which hit streaming services prior to the movie’s release March 2. Huncho and Jack handle the hook of the uptempo Murda Beatz-produced record before Uzi blares through to execute the finishing touches. Scott incorporates the name of several California highways into his verse, while tabbing a 2000s Chevy as his street-racing vehicle of choice.
8. Miguel feat. Travis Scott – “Skywalker”
The trippy “Skywalker” powered Miguel‘s fourth studio album, War & Leisure, as the lead single with help from La Flame. Their second major collaboration peaked at No. 35 on the Hot 100 and was self-produced by the “Adorn” artist.
A video was shot for the relaxing track, which was directed by Director X and finds the pair of artists chilling out at a luxurious mansion before turning up at the club. Regarding Scott’s “In my 23’s having a Jordan moment” line, Miguel was so impressed he admitted to Genius, “I was so mad when I heard that line because it’s insane. I wish I would’ve thought of that line.”
7. Wiz Khalifa feat. Travis Scott – “Bake Sale”
Khalifa has long been known for his fascination with marijuana, and “Bake Sale” is no exception, teaming up with Travis Scott to exchange bars regarding their love of various ways to get high. The 25-year-old handles the hook and bridge of the track, which was also released with an accompanying psychedelic visual featuring the pair of talented artists. “Bake Sale” topped out at No. 56 on the Hot 100 in February 2016.
6. Major Lazer feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello & Quavo – “Know No Better”
The unlikely collaboration took much longer than Diplo originally planned to get contributions from three of the busiest artists in music. “Know No Better” also happens to be the title of the EP the 2017 track landed on.
Speaking to Z100, Diplo explained the troubles he had fitting into the Houston native’s schedule. “Travis Scott was hard to get on the record,” he said. “I mean, we cut it with him like eight months earlier, his computer died when we were recording, his mic died, we had to keep coming to his house and waking him up. And finally we got it finished.
“It was like 2 p.m. — I’d like slap him up to get him off the couch and that guy’s prolific,” he continued. “He has a lot of love when it comes to laying it down, he tracks himself, engineers himself and he’s a really hard worker; he’s just very in-demand right now. But it’s cool to have a record like this for him.”
5. Drake feat. Travis Scott & Quavo – “Portland”
Huncho and Jack once again cross paths on the flute-laden record. This time they deliver an assist on Drake‘s More Life standout “Portland,” on which the trio of artists share their appreciation of the eccentric West Coast city. Drizzy even announced inking a deal with Air Jordan at a Portland concert back in 2013. Shortly after the track began to pick up steam, Scott tweeted out a major co-sign for the city, “I was once asked my fav place in America to find peace. Portland is the answer. Took a trip and found [happiness].”
I was once asked my fav place in America to find peace. Portland is the answer. Took a trip and found happynes pic.twitter.com/aYnBwH7D5v
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) March 17, 2017
4. 2 Chainz feat. Travis Scott – “4 AM”
Chainz previously helped out Trav on fan favorites “3500” and “Upper Echelon,” and it was time for the 25-year-old to return the favor on Tity Boi’s third solo studio album, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. The Murda Beatz-produced track was released on May 29, 2017, and served as the fourth single from the ATL native’s project. Almost six months later, 2 Chainz released the visual for “4 AM,” and it has since compiled over 1.5 million views on YouTube. The duo had the chance to perform the record together at the Brooklyn stop of Kendrick Lamar‘s DAMN. Tour in July.
3. DJ Mustard feat. Travis Scott – “Whole Lotta Lovin'”
Mustard and Cactus Jack set the tone at the top of 2016 with the Zane Lowe-premiered “Whole Lotta Lovin’.” The radio-friendly record incorporates elements of EDM behind Trav’s Auto-Tuned vocals. Scott continued to build on his solo Rodeo debut, which was the start of his mainstream identity leading into Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.
The DJ Mustard-produced record samples CeCe Peniston‘s “Finally,” which Travis fuses into the bridge singing, “Finally I can move how I want/ And I need, pick a time and I’m zoning/ You got me, I got you and that’s all that I need/ When I wake in the mornin’.”
2. Trippie Redd feat. Travis Scott – “Dark Knight Dummo”
La Flame connects with the next generation of artists on the organ-laden “Dark Knight Dummo.” The 18-year-old Trippie Redd and Scott feed off of each other’s infectious energy, as the pair looked to heat up the winter with the December-released track.
“Dark Knight Dummo” is sure to pick up serious steam moving into the new year. The Mike Dean-mastered record appeared on the Hot 100 for the second straight week, where it currently sits at No. 94. The Ohio native teased the Honorable C.N.O.T.E.-produced song in November on his Instagram Stories, before going on to rap Trav’s memorable “90210” hook.
1. SZA feat. Travis Scott – “Love Galore”
After teasing the track on Instagram in November 2016, SZA first debuted “Love Galore” at a secret January show in NYC to open 2017. The second single from her highly touted CTRL album dropped April 27 with a special assist from Travis Scott.
A Nabil-directed visual for the song also dropped the very next day. Carter Lang, who produced and wrote on the record said the beat for the anthem was crafted at his Michigan home in 2016. Speaking to Genius, the rising R&B songstress detailed collaborating with Scott. “I’m definitely a huge fan of Travis. I think he merges that super-fine line between melody and syncopation and pocket. And I love his pockets, and I love his note choice. He’s just gnarly. He’s perfect.” The pair performed the record together on The Tonight Show back in July.
Yall been killing me for it, yall been waiting and been begging for it… well, its finally here. @SZA #LoveGalore https://t.co/M0R39J0kWR
— TOP DAWG #TDE (@dangerookipawaa) April 27, 2017