Sicko Mode Explained

Sicko Mode
Cover:Sicko Mode cover.jpg
Caption:Skrillex remix cover art. Cover on streaming services replaces "I went to Astroworld" with "I went on [platform name]".
Type:single
Artist:Travis Scott featuring Drake
Album:Astroworld
Genre:
Length:5:12
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Travis Scott
Prev Title:Dangerous World
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Neighbor
Next Year:2018

"Sicko Mode" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper Travis Scott. It features vocals from Canadian rapper Drake,[2] who was credited on Apple Music but not on the Billboard Hot 100 or Spotify. It was originally released by Epic Records on August 3, 2018, as the third track from Astroworld (2018), before being released as the second single on August 21. It features additional uncredited vocals by fellow American rappers Swae Lee and the late Big Hawk.[3]

"Sicko Mode" was Scott's first number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 (although Drake is not credited on the Billboard charts),[4] [5] as well as the first hip-hop song in history to spend at least 30 weeks in the chart's top ten region. It was universally acclaimed by critics, and received nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

The song contains a sample from "Gimme the Loot", written by the Notorious B.I.G. and Easy Mo Bee, as performed by the former and an interpolation from "I Wanna Rock", written and performed by Uncle Luke.[6] [7] On December 9, 2020, the song was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Composition

The song is in three distinct movements. There is the first movement, which starts from the beginning of the song to the one minute mark. It features introductory vocals from Drake. The second movement starts at the one minute mark and ends before the three minute mark, featuring lead vocals from Scott. The third movement starts at the three minute mark to the end of the song with lead vocals from both Scott and Drake. The first movement is written in the key of G minor, the second movement is written in the key of C-sharp minor, and the third movement is composed in the key of E-flat minor.[8] The first movement reminiscences about a time with friends in winter. The second movement reminisces about past relationships with women. The third movement reminisces about the rappers' high school years, but now enjoys the luxury of flying out of a fixed base operator. The overall theme of the song is about reminiscing about past events in the rappers' lives and where they are now.

Critical reception

"Sicko Mode" received critical acclaim, with some critics considering it the highlight of Astroworld. Writing for Rolling Stone, Christopher R. Weingarten deemed the "hard-knocking" track the "album highlight",[9] while Brendan Klinkenberg from the same magazine described it as "the apex of Scott's synthetic instincts".[10] Brian Josephs of Entertainment Weekly called it a "mini-suite of bangers".[11] Roisin O'Connor of The Independent felt Drake "sounds more important on this record than he did at any point on his own recent release, Scorpion, with a ballsy, confident flow".[12]

Chart performance

"Sicko Mode" debuted at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100,[13] It reached number two following the release of its music video, originally behind "Girls Like You" by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B,[14] and then behind "Thank U, Next" by Ariana Grande. It later became his first number one on the issue dated December 8, 2018, after seventeen weeks in the top 10, aided in part by the Skrillex remix;[4] had Drake been credited, it would have been his 7th number-one hit. The single also became Scott's first top 10 on the Radio Songs chart.[15] It finished 3rd in Triple J's Hottest 100 2018.[16] Reflecting on its commercial impact, Billboard magazine's Andrew Unterberger called the song "a three-part prog-rap odyssey that would've been unimaginable as a radio single years earlier, but which got audiences so hyped with its unexpected beat switches and back-and-forth hooks that the pop world had no choice but to meet it halfway".[17]

"Sicko Mode" was the only number-one hit during the 2010s decade to feature a key change.[18]

Music video

The music video for "Sicko Mode" was directed by Dave Meyers and Travis Scott. It was released on October 19, 2018. The video starts off with Scott's red head on a building while a camera zooms into it, and cuts to the next scene of people getting back into some multi-colored houses. Following scenes show Drake walking a dog while being burned by an eclipse and Scott riding a horse. The video ends with Drake and Scott walking away.[19] As of May 2022, the video has over a billion views.

Live performances

Travis Scott performed the song at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards[20] and the Super Bowl LIII halftime show.[21]

Remixes and covers

On November 28, 2018, an electronic remix by American record producer Skrillex was released.[22] [23] The remix's accompanying audio and lyric videos were released to Scott's and Skrillex's YouTube channels on the same day.

On February 28, 2020, Swae Lee released the single "Someone Said", based on his line from the song.[24]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and liner notes.[25]

Performance

Production

Technical

Additional songwriting credits as pertaining to the samples: "I Wanna Rock" as performed by Luke, written by Luther Campbell, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch; and "Gimme the Loot" as performed by the Notorious B.I.G., written by Christopher Wallace, Osten Harvey, Bryan Higgins, Trevor Smith, James Jackson, Malik Taylor, Keith Elam, Christopher Martin, Kamaal Fareed, Ali Shaheed Jones-Muhammad, Tyrone Taylor, Fred Scruggs, Kirk Jones and Chylow Parker.

Track listing

A-side

  1. "Sicko Mode" – 5:12

B-side

  1. "Sicko Mode" (Skrillex Remix) – 5:05

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018–2021)Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[28] 87
US Rolling Stone Top 100[29] 47

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 48
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 51
Estonia (IFPI)[32] 91
Portugal (AFP)[33] 77
UK Singles (OCC)[34] 94
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 42
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[36] 21
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[37] 27
Chart (2019)Position
Australia (ARIA)[38] 25
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 13
Denmark (Tracklisten)[40] 97
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[41] 27
Portugal (AFP)[42] 75
UK Singles (OCC)[43] 75
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 9
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[45] 43
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] 6
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 32
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[48] 7
US Rolling Stone Top 100[49] 17
Chart (2020)Position
Australia (ARIA)[50] 86
Chart (2021)Position
Global 200 (Billboard)[51] 166
Portugal (AFP)[52] 165

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010–2019)Position
US Billboard Hot 100[53] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[54] 8

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
United StatesAugust 21, 2018Rhythmic contemporary radioOriginal[56]
Urban contemporary radio[57]
VariousNovember 28, 2018Digital downloadSkrillex remix[58]

Notes and References

  1. 'Sicko Mode' is Travis Scott Doing What Travis Scott Does Best . Rolling Stone.
  2. Web site: Here are the full album credits for Travis Scott's ASTROWORLD. The Fader. August 3, 2018. August 14, 2018.
  3. 'Sicko Mode' is Travis Scott Doing What Travis Scott Does Best. Rolling Stone. August 9, 2018. August 3, 2018.
  4. Travis Scott Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Leader: 'What's More 'Sicko Mode' Than Going No. 1?!'. Billboard. Trust. Gary . December 3, 2018. December 4, 2018.
  5. Drake . 2022-08-05 . Billboard . en-US.
  6. Web site: Here Are All the Samples Travis Scott Used on 'Astroworld'. Hypebeast. August 6, 2018. August 31, 2018.
  7. How Travis Scott's 'Astroworld' Embraces His Southern Rap Roots Like Never Before. Billboard. August 7, 2018. August 15, 2018.
  8. Web site: Travis Scott "Sicko Mode" Sheet Music.
  9. Weingarten. Christopher. Review: Travis Scott Starts Living Up to His Ambitions on 'Astroworld'. Rolling Stone. August 7, 2018. August 7, 2018.
  10. 'Sicko Mode' is Travis Scott Doing What Travis Scott Does Best . Klinkenberg . Brendan . August 9, 2018 . Rolling Stone . November 22, 2018.
  11. Josephs. Brian. Travis Scott 'Astroworld': EW Review. Entertainment Weekly. August 6, 2018. August 6, 2018.
  12. Web site: O'Connor. Roisin. Travis Scott, Astroworld album review: Lightyears ahead of his peers. The Independent. August 6, 2018. August 6, 2018.
  13. Drake Rules Billboard Hot 100 for Fifth Week With 'In My Feelings,' Travis Scott Debuts Two Songs in Top 10. Billboard. Gary. Trust. August 13, 2018. August 14, 2018.
  14. Maroon 5 and Cardi B Rule Billboard Hot 100 For Sixth Week, Post Malone and Swae Lee Debut in Top 10. Billboard. Trust. Gary. October 29, 2018. October 30, 2018.
  15. Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' Tops Hot 100 For Second Week, Panic! at the Disco's 'High Hopes' Hits Top 10. Billboard. 2018-11-19.
  16. Web site: Hottest 100 2018. Triple J. 11 November 2018. January 27, 2019.
  17. Unterberger. Andrew. December 12, 2019. 2018 Was the Year That... Hip-Hop Took Its Victory Lap. Billboard. July 15, 2021.
  18. News: Why the key change has disappeared from top-charting tunes . November 25, 2022 . .
  19. 'Sicko Mode' Is the 'Citizen Kane' of Travis Scott Music Videos . Holmes . Charles . October 19, 2018 . Rolling Stone . October 19, 2018.
  20. Web site: Holmes. Charles. August 20, 2018. Travis Scott's VMA Performance Was A Thrilling Theme Park Adventure and with the Astroworld Experience. https://web.archive.org/web/20180821085822/http://www.mtv.com/news/3097169/travis-scott-vmas-2018/. dead. August 21, 2018. MTV News. en.
  21. Web site: Travis Scott crowd surfs during Super Bowl LIII halftime performance . 2022-08-31 . NFL.com . en-US.
  22. News: Saponara. Michael. Y'all Know I Don't Follow Suit: How Travis Scott's 'SICKO MODE' Became the Unlikeliest No. 1 Hit of 2018. Billboard. December 26, 2018. January 16, 2019.
  23. Web site: Sicko Mode (Skrillex Remix) - Single. 28 November 2018. iTunes. November 30, 2018.
  24. Web site: Rae Sremmurd's Swae Lee Announces Fire Music Arrives in 48 Hours. 26 February 2020.
  25. Web site: ASTROWORLD / Travis Scott on TIDAL. Tidal. August 14, 2018.
  26. Saponara. Michael. 2018. Y'all Know I Don't Follow Suit: How Travis Scott's 'SICKO MODE' Became the Unlikeliest No. 1 Hit of 2018. 2021-06-04. Billboard. en.
  27. Web site: Producer OZ Didn't Think Travis Scott & Drake's "Sicko Mode" Would Be A Hit. 2021-06-04. Genius. en.
  28. Travis Scott Chart History (Billboard Argentina Hot 100). Billboard. August 20, 2019.
  29. Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. August 30, 2019. January 7, 2020.
  30. Web site: ARIA End of Year Singles 2018. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 10, 2019.
  31. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 4, 2018.
  32. News: EESTI TIPP-100 MUUSIKAS Neid artiste ja lugusid kuulati möödunud aastal Eestis kõige rohkem. January 18, 2019. January 19, 2019. Eesti Ekspress. et.
  33. Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. July 9, 2020.
  34. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2018. Official Charts Company. January 4, 2019.
  35. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 4, 2018.
  36. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018.
  37. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. August 22, 2019.
  38. Web site: ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2019. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 10, 2020.
  39. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  40. Web site: Track Top-100 2019. Hitlisten. da. January 15, 2020.
  41. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2019. Recorded Music NZ. December 21, 2019.
  42. Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. July 9, 2020.
  43. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2019. Official Charts Company. January 4, 2020.
  44. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  45. Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 7, 2019.
  46. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  47. Pop Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  48. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  49. Top 100 Songs of 2019. Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. January 17, 2020.
  50. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2020. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 15, 2021.
  51. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 4, 2021.
  52. Web site: Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021 . pt. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. May 11, 2022.
  53. Decade-End Charts: Hot 100 Songs. Billboard. November 15, 2019.
  54. Decade-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. January 17, 2020.
  55. Web site: Fitzmaurice . Larry . The 100 Best Songs of 2018 . Pitchfork . Conde Nast . May 27, 2019.
  56. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases. All Access Music Group. August 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814033605/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. August 14, 2018.
  57. Web site: Urban Future Releases. All Access Music Group. August 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180819153209/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. August 19, 2018.
  58. Hear Skrillex's Colossal Remix of Travis Scott, Drake's 'Sicko Mode' . Blistein . Jon . November 28, 2018 . Rolling Stone . November 30, 2018.