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Move That Dope

"Move That Dope" is a hip hop song by American rapper Future, featuring fellow American artists Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, and Casino. Released on February 6, 2014, through Epic Records, it serves as the fourth single from Future's second studio album, Honest. The track was produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, Pharrell Williams, and P-Nasty, blending trap beats with 1980s-inspired synth elements that Future described as reliving the era. It debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 76 and ultimately peaked at number 46, while also reaching number 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song received RIAA platinum certification in the United States for combined sales and streaming units exceeding one million. Directed by Benny Boom, the official music video premiered on March 6, 2014, and depicts a frenetic police pursuit involving luxury cars and models, with cameos from Tyler, the Creator, ScHoolboy Q, and Wiz Khalifa; an extended version includes Casino's verse, which was omitted from the standard edit titled "Move That Doh." Pharrell Williams initially declined to contribute his verse due to concerns over the song's explicit references to drug dealing, but Future persuaded him by framing it as a narrative of aspiration and success. The single's release was accompanied by a retro video game tie-in developed by The Uprising Creative, enhancing its cultural impact in the trap music scene.

Background and release

Development

"Move That Dope" originated during the recording sessions for Future's second studio album, Honest, announced on , 2013, with an initial release planned for via . The track's drew from traditions, centering on narratives of dealing and to align with Future's established in the . To amplify its potential, Future incorporated features from established artists, leveraging their involvement to broaden the song's reach beyond audiences. Producer Mike Will Made It played a pivotal role in sparking the collaboration with Pharrell Williams, presenting an energetic beat during 2013 studio sessions in Los Angeles where Future, Pharrell, and others were gathered. What began as a casual playback evolved into active contributions, with Pharrell adding his verse spontaneously during the vibe session. Pusha T joined the track through his prior collaborations with Pharrell, including production on Clipse's albums like Hell Hath No Fury (2006), and his role in GOOD Music, which fostered ongoing creative ties. His contribution delivered a pointed verse on cocaine distribution, offering a stark, experiential contrast to Future's more atmospheric trap delivery. Casino, Future's brother and a key affiliate of the Freebandz label, was incorporated as a final feature to embody the imprint's raw, collective energy. This addition came toward the track's completion, appearing prominently in the extended album version to reinforce Freebandz representation.

Single release

"Move That Dope" was released on February 6, 2014, as the fourth single from Future's second studio album Honest through Epic Records, Freebandz, and A1 Recordings. The track appears as the third song on the Honest tracklist. It was issued in two primary versions: a radio edit lasting 3:58 that omits Casino's verse, and the full album version running 5:42. While limited physical formats such as promotional CDRs were produced, the single was primarily distributed as a digital download and available for streaming on platforms including iTunes and Spotify.

Recording and production

Production process

The track "Move That Dope" was primarily produced by Mike Will Made It, with co-production credits to P-Nasty and additional production from Pharrell Williams. Recording took place in 2013 across multiple locations, including primary sessions at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, engineered by Eric Manco, and additional vocal recordings by Mike Larson at South Beach Studios in Miami Beach, Florida, with further work at Eardruma Studios. The instrumental, crafted by Mike Will Made It, exemplifies trap production with its prominent 808 bass lines providing deep low-end rumble, rapid-fire hi-hat patterns driving the rhythm, and layered synth melodies adding atmospheric texture. Pharrell Williams contributed the infectious vocal hook and ad-libs, enhancing the track's energetic, repetitive chorus structure. Post-production involved mixing by Jaycen Joshua, assisted by Ryan Kaul, at Larrabee Sound Studios in North Hollywood, California, to balance the dense instrumentation and multiple vocal layers. The final mastering was handled by Glenn Schick, ensuring polished dynamics suitable for commercial release on Future's album Honest.

Personnel

"Move That Dope" features lead vocals and primary rapping by Future, with featured verses from Pusha T and Casino, and Pharrell Williams providing the hook along with ad-libs. The song's production was led by Mike Will Made It as the primary producer, with co-production from P-Nasty and additional production contributions from Pharrell Williams. Songwriting credits are attributed to Future (Nayvadius Wilburn), Pharrell Williams, Pusha T (Terrence Thornton), Casino, Mike Will Made It (Michael Williams II), P-Nasty (Jordan Houston), along with additional writers including Young Scooter, Rocko, and Maceo. Engineering and mixing involved recording engineer Mike Larson, assistant engineer Femio Hernandez, mixing engineer Jaycen Joshua assisted by Ryan Kaul, and additional recording by Steve Hybicki assisted by Ryan Coplan, with P-Nasty contributing additional vocals.

Composition

Musical elements

"Move That Dope" is a trap hip-hop track incorporating Southern rap influences, characterized by its hard-hitting production typical of the genre's emphasis on street narratives and rhythmic drive. The song is composed in B major at a tempo of 131 beats per minute (BPM), contributing to its energetic yet controlled pace that supports the rapid-fire delivery of its verses. Its structure follows an intro-hook-verse-chorus pattern, repeating across verses from Future, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, and Casino, creating a relentless, assembly-line momentum that builds intensity through successive contributions. Instrumentation centers on prominent 808 bass drums and rapid hi-hats, forming a minimalistic trap beat that prioritizes vocal performance while evoking a "battery-acid lurch" with eerie synth melodies and subtle guitar riffs for atmospheric tension. The full version runs approximately 5 minutes and 42 seconds, featuring an extended outro with Casino's verse, whereas the radio edit trims this section for shorter airplay suitability, reducing the length to focus on the core hooks and verses. Future's hook employs auto-tune and layered vocals, producing a hypnotic, repetitive chant that reinforces the track's trance-like quality and ties into its thematic energy without overshadowing the rappers' flows.

Lyrics and themes

"Move That Dope" centers on the glorification of drug dealing and street hustling, with the term "dope" serving as slang for narcotics as well as the rapid movement of product to generate profit. The lyrics portray the gritty realities and rewards of the trap lifestyle, emphasizing the transformation of illegal substances into symbols of success and excess. This theme is woven throughout the track, drawing from the Southern rap tradition of unapologetic narratives about survival in urban environments. Future's verses , focusing on the excesses through vivid depictions and the lavish outcomes it yields. He raps about "whippin' the yam" and "re-rockin' the dope," for cooking into and repackaging it for , while highlighting acquisitions like a "" funded by these dealings. References to evading "the 12" () and consuming "" () underscore the high-risk, indulgent routine , positioning Future as a self-made "boss and a plug." These elements capture the cyclical grind and material rewards central to trap narratives. Future delivers the hook, repeatedly urging to "move that dope," which reinforces the relentless, mechanical pace of the drug trade as an unending imperative. This melodic refrain acts as the song's driving force, evoking the non-stop energy required to sustain the operation. Pusha T's verse adds layers of contrast between luxury and peril, repeating the "dope boy motto" of staying modest amid bling and expertise with "doves" (cocaine), while acknowledging the problems that arise from visibility in the game. Pharrell Williams' verse contributes a playful yet sharp perspective on the lifestyle, referencing high-frequency vibes and eccentric style amid the dealing narrative. Casino's raw delivery in his closing verse amplifies the unfiltered street authenticity, detailing pursuits by police and bulk purchases of bricks, portraying the immediate dangers and bravado of frontline dealing. The repetitive chorus functions as an anthemic call-and-response, a staple in club trap tracks that fosters communal participation and hypnotic repetition to mirror the addictive cycle of the hustle. Culturally, the song reflects the 2010s trap music surge, where vivid storytelling about drug culture dominated Southern hip-hop, often drawing criticism for promoting illicit lifestyles but earning acclaim for its authentic portrayal of socioeconomic struggles.

Critical reception

Reviews

"Move That Dope" garnered generally positive reviews from critics upon its release, who lauded its energetic production and the standout performances from its featured artists. Pitchfork designated it a Best New Track, describing the posse cut as one where "everyone involved wastes no time getting loose as hell" over Mike Will Made It's production, which evokes Hit-Boy's work on "Clique," while highlighting Pharrell's playful reference to his "Gandalf hat" in the hook and Pusha T's "dagger-sharp metaphors for slinging drugs." Rolling Stone praised it in their list of the 50 best songs of 2014 as a track where Auto-Tune "has never sounded so fresh on a track about moving product," crediting Mike WiLL Made-It's booming production and Pharrell's infectious hook for revitalizing the theme. The song's collaborative synergy drew acclaim for its club-ready vibe and robust trap elements, though reception to Future's auto-tuned delivery was mixed, with some outlets like The Boombox deeming the track "underwhelming" despite the strong features. Overall, reviewers noted unanimous praise for the beat and guest verses, positioning "Move That Dope" as a high-energy pivot toward commercial trap appeal amid the more introspective and vulnerable tones of Future's album Honest, where it stands out with its gritty, harder-edged sound featuring rattling low-end synths. In later retrospectives, the track has been recognized as a defining trap anthem of 2014, ranking ninth on Pitchfork's 100 Best Tracks of the Year list, where critic Carrie Battan called it so powerful that "it's hard to imagine work getting done any other way." It also appeared on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Songs of 2014, underscoring its lasting impact on the genre.

Accolades

"Move That Dope" won Best Club Banger at the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards. The song was ranked #42 on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 Best Songs of 2014. It placed at #9 on Pitchfork's The 100 Best Tracks of 2014. Additionally, it was included at #37 on Complex's The 50 Best Songs of 2014 and #22 on Spin's The 101 Best Songs of 2014. Recognition for "Move That Dope" was primarily US-centric, with no major international awards.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Move That Dope" debuted at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song later reached its peak position of number 46 on the Hot 100, where it held that spot for one week. It remained on the Hot 100 for a total of 18 weeks. On genre-specific charts, the track performed strongly within the hip-hop and R&B landscapes. It climbed to number 11 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Additionally, it peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 35 on the Hot R&B Songs chart. For year-end performance, "Move That Dope" ranked at number 42 on the 2014 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reflecting its sustained popularity throughout the year.

Certifications

"Move That Dope" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 26, 2022, for 1,000,000 units in the United States, encompassing equivalent album units from digital sales and on-demand audio and video streams. This certification reflects the song's sustained popularity through streaming platforms and digital purchases, with approximately 260,000 pure digital downloads achieved in the US market. As of 2025, the track has received no certifications from music industry organizations in other countries, underscoring its predominantly domestic commercial footprint. On Spotify, "Move That Dope" has accumulated over 67 million streams as of November 2025, a key factor in reaching the RIAA threshold under the streaming-inclusive certification rules implemented since 2016.

Music video

Production

The music video for "Move That Dope" was directed by Benny Boom and filmed in downtown Los Angeles in February 2014. It adopted a high-energy, cinematic aesthetic, incorporating such as Lamborghinis and settings to evoke the song's themes. The video includes cameo appearances by artists such as , , WiLL Made-It, and . Post-production editing featured rapid cuts and vibrant neon lighting effects to align with the track's fast-paced tempo and energetic production. The video was released under Epic Records as part of the promotion for Future's album Honest, with no reported controversies arising during its production.

Content and release

The music video for "Move That Dope," directed by Benny Boom, premiered on March 6, 2014, via YouTube, where it has since amassed over 58 million views as of November 2025. The visual aligns with the radio edit of the single by excluding Casino's verse, focusing instead on performances from Future, Pharrell Williams, and Pusha T. An extended version of the video, including Casino's verse, was released on March 10, 2014. In the video, leads a centered on a high-stakes through , outmaneuvering with a to evade capture while symbolizing the perils and thrills of street hustling and drug dealing. The storyline unfolds amid themes of excess and evasion, blending urban grit with an '80s-inspired aesthetic that incorporates neon lighting, vintage luxury vehicles, and retro fashion elements to evoke a nostalgic yet intense atmosphere of wealth and risk. Key visual motifs include dynamic slow-motion sequences of high-speed pursuits and implied exchanges, underscoring the song's motifs, alongside cameo appearances from artists such as , , , and Mike WiLL Made-It to heighten the collaborative . Boom's directorial , characterized by fast-paced and cinematic , amplifies the video's and cultural . Following its release, the video's strong online reception, including widespread sharing and a companion retro-style video game, enhanced the single's visibility and contributed to its crossover appeal on urban radio stations.

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