Travis Scott’s Drake-assisted 2018 “Sicko Mode” single is undoubtedly his biggest record as an artist. With Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, Collaboration and Best Beat wins from HipHopDX, the song marked Scott’s first entry atop the Billboard 100 and earned a 7x-platinum plaque from the RIAA.
But apparently, it was created with more help than most fans initially realized.
On Sunday (August 16), Twitter stumbled upon CyHi The Prynce’s government name (Cydel Young) amongst the laundry list of songwriters and contributors for the hit record (A Tribe Called Quest and Onyx members are credited for their attachment to samples) and went crazy.
The G.O.O.D. Music lyricist’s name shot straight to the top of Twitter’s trending topics, spawning a wave of conspiracy theories, memes and opinions.
In a 2018 Complex interview, CyHi was explicitly asked how he contributed to Travis’ Astroworld, and he alluded to being a member of the inside council.
“Once you put out a rap album and you’re getting 50, 60, 100 grand a show and you’re this household name, the only next level to go is to compete with Adele and Sam Smith and whatever gospel choir or alternative rock group is up for Album of the Year,” he explained. “Those guys aren’t in there by theyself. It’s 30, 40 people–you got trumpet players, lyricists, writers.
“We’re starting to treat rap like that, like it has to be that important. But [knowing] what minds to put into the room is what makes you a great producer. Instead of just having your homeboys from the crib that’s just in there smoking weed, chilling, playing video games, you’d rather put up a flight for a guy like me, that’s going to make sure the shit sounds dope.”
Although long associated with Kanye West’s musical rollouts, CyHi has played a low-key role most of his career. His 2017 critically acclaimed debut album, No Dope On Sundays, peaked at just No. 65 on the Billboard 200 and fans accused Ye of ignoring the promotional process.
Travis Scott Officially Welcomes WondaGurl With Sony/ATV, Cactus Jack Publishing Deal
However, as Twitter users began to bleed the Travis and CyHi conversation into ghostwriting allegations for the Astroworld closer “Coffee Bean,” renowned Drake producer Nineteen85 entered the chat to clarify his first-hand experience.
“Lies,” the Canadian artist stated on Twitter. “He wrote Coffee Bean as soon as I played the beat. Wrote it in front of me.” He later co-signed a tweet that explained how easy it is to obtain a writing credit.
Neither Travis nor CyHi have responded to the ghostwriting claims as of press time. See below for more reactions.
Coffeebean was written by Cyhi. You can just tell. Travis doesnt rap like that or flow like that. So yeah Travis wrote the verse in front of this guy but I bet Cyhi was sitting next to him.
Whatever happened to true lyricism!? Speaking of that, I know Tekashi write all his raps!
Wrote his own snitches too
All these new dudes is wack. Period
These new hip hop fans are weird. You know who isn’t writing their own shit and who is. Shit is easier to tell now than it was back in the day because back then you’d have other people in the crew write for other members like Scarface and Willie D for Bushwick. Today, you fools know who your pop rap creations are and if they have the machine behind them putting that minstrel show together, so stop acting obtuse.
Why does headline say “but but but it’s not ghostwriting” I’m yes it is lmao. Y TF do u write and record *reference tracks* if someone else wrote the song. Reference tracks are created so, the person who buys your song, can hear wat it sounds like.
Ace
All y’all do is make too much noise. Drake had the same experience, but he’s still here. Now, here’s another one. Rap music is pathetic these days.
It’s funny how this song has been available for over 2 YEARS now but people are just now realizing it. More sad than funny.
Cyhi writes for most of Good Music, know what the fuck your listening too… Same fucks are like “Drake is the best rapper”, look @ the credits, u can’t hide from the credits. Cyhi is around for a reason, just because he doesn’t release an album every 6 months doesn’t mean he’s not writing.
It isnt ghostwriting if the person is credited. Considering the credit was there the whole time, the outrage should be on the people who failed to realize this. And if someone makes a suggestion and switches a cpl words around they get a credit, so we dont really know what he was responsible for. There shouldn’t even be outrage anymore because 99% of these dudes actually use writers, it should just be assumed. Unless travis scott is bragging about his amazing lyricism there should be nothing to see here. Move along.
Em has PHRESHER.. today’s greatest ghostwriter.. plus he has that female ghostwriter… which his secret weapon against in battles w/ Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Rihanna..
Fuck you too bitch ass mutha fucka. You musta got jumped by a Stan to hate so much bitch! The world knows em write his shit. Is that you Nick?
I’m writing this while bangin ya moms, and I got trashy ass pappy in here wavin his pom poms, big dicks off in esophaguses coz you peckaroos is Tom thumbs, you stans are all bitches and none of you want none.. off in your mouth not on your hands, now you’s cum drunk scum bum..
You suck cack like thumbs bum, you said it fills up your tum tum. You a scum bag, dressed in drag, your a$s in a fun bag. You like stans to put hands down your pants while your rant.
I’m fucking your moms…