Sicko Mode
"Sicko Mode" is a hip-hop and trap song by American rapper Travis Scott featuring Canadian rapper Drake, released on August 21, 2018, as the second single from Scott's third studio album Astroworld, which debuted on August 3, 2018.[1][2] The track is renowned for its innovative structure, featuring three distinct beat switches produced by a team including Hit-Boy, Tay Keith, OZ, CuBeatz, Rogét Chahayed, and Mike Dean, and incorporates additional vocals from Swae Lee and the late Big Hawk.[3][4] Upon release, "Sicko Mode" debuted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and later ascended to the top spot on December 8, 2018, marking Scott's first number-one hit on the chart after 17 weeks.[5] The song's official music video, directed by Dave Meyers and released on October 19, 2018, has amassed over 1.35 billion views on YouTube as of November 2025, contributing to its viral success and cultural impact.[6] By October 8, 2025, it achieved 16× Platinum certification from the RIAA, tying it as the second-highest certified rap song in history with 16 million units sold in the United States.[7] Its blend of psychedelic production, rapid tempo shifts, and lyrical themes of ambition and excess solidified "Sicko Mode" as a defining track of late-2010s hip-hop, influencing subsequent genre innovations.[2]Background and release
Development
"Sicko Mode" originated during recording sessions for Travis Scott's album Astroworld in 2017 and 2018, with final touches completed during a recording retreat in Hawaii. Scott envisioned the track as a multi-part composition designed to deliver a "rollercoaster" experience for listeners, featuring abrupt shifts in style and energy to mimic the ups and downs of a ride.[8] The collaboration with Drake began when Scott sent him an early version of the song in 2018, prompting Drake to contribute his opening verse, which was recorded separately in Toronto. Drake's addition introduced an unexpected element, with his performance emerging suddenly in the mix to heighten the track's dynamic surprises.[8] Recording took place at various studios, including Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, where Scott and producers refined the beats. Key contributors included Hit-Boy, who crafted an early intro beat during sessions around the release of Scott's previous album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight in 2016; Tay Keith, who provided the high-energy trap section; and Mike Dean, who handled mixing and additional production elements. Other producers like OZ, CuBeatz, and Rogét Chahayed also played roles in building the layered sound.[9][2][10] The song evolved from an initial single-verse concept into a three-part structure, incorporating tempo changes from a fast-paced 155 BPM trap beat in the second section to a slower, soulful 73 BPM segment in the third. This progression was a deliberate choice by Scott and the production team to enhance the track's immersive, shifting narrative.[2]Release and promotion
"Sicko Mode" was released as the second single from Travis Scott's third studio album Astroworld on August 21, 2018, through Epic Records and Cactus Jack Records.[2] The track formed a key part of the Astroworld promotional campaign, which began with the album's release on August 3, 2018. "Sicko Mode" was previewed live at a surprise listening party in Houston on August 4, 2018, where Scott performed selections from the album amid a circus-themed setup at Revention Music Center. Scott announced the unscripted event via Twitter that evening, posting "HOUSTON TONIGHT WE GO SICKO MODE" along with an RSVP link that drew thousands of attendees.[11][12] Further promotion involved social media teasers building hype around the album's themes of escapism and spectacle, positioning "Sicko Mode" as a follow-up lead after the album's opening track "Stargazing." The single debuted on the Billboard Rhythmic Songs airplay chart the following week, marking the start of its radio push.Composition and production
Musical elements
"Sicko Mode" is characterized by its innovative three-part structure, which creates a dynamic listening experience through abrupt transitions and contrasting sonic palettes. The song opens with Part 1 (0:00–1:52), featuring a high-energy trap beat at 155 beats per minute (BPM), driven by rapid hi-hats and booming 808 bass lines that establish an intense, club-ready foundation.[13][14] This section showcases Travis Scott's signature auto-tuned vocals layered over the beat, building momentum with ad-libs and effects, and incorporates elements sampled from The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Gimme the Loot." Part 2 (1:52–2:55) shifts dramatically to a slower tempo of 73 BPM for Drake's verse, introducing a more atmospheric and soulful vibe with melodic synths and subdued percussion that contrasts the opening's aggression.[15] The track then returns in Part 3 (2:55–end) to the original trap style at 155 BPM, highlighted by Swae Lee's catchy hook and a sample from Big Hawk's "Victory Flow," adding a nostalgic Houston rap element.[16] Overall, the song runs for 5:13 minutes, allowing space for these shifts to unfold.[17] Key production techniques define the track's sound, including abrupt tempo changes that mimic a rollercoaster ride, extensive use of layered ad-libs for depth, and prominent Auto-Tune effects on the vocals to create a futuristic, distorted texture.[2] The production credits reflect a collaborative effort by Hit-Boy, Tay Keith, OZ, CuBeatz, Rogét Chahayed, and Mike Dean.[3] The song fuses genres seamlessly, blending trap and hip-hop's rhythmic drive with R&B's melodic sensibilities, while psychedelic elements—such as swirling synths and echoey effects—align with the thematic immersion of Travis Scott's album Astroworld. This hybrid approach not only highlights the producers' versatility but also elevates the track's replay value through its evolving soundscape.[2]Lyrics and themes
"Sicko Mode" is structured as a multi-part track with verses from Travis Scott bookending the song, emphasizing themes of hedonism, fame, and regional pride in his hometown of Houston. In the opening verse, Scott raps about a cold, wintry atmosphere and loyalty among friends, illustrated by the line "My dawg would probably do it for a Louis belt / That's just all he know, he don't know 'nothin' else," highlighting the relentless pursuit of luxury and status in the rap game.[18] His closing outro shifts to a more chaotic energy, questioning "Who's the fuckin' fool in this plane? / It's a full house," which annotations interpret as a moment of introspection amid the excesses of fame and travel, pondering authenticity in a crowded, superficial world.[18] Drake's central verse adopts a braggadocious tone, delving into relationships, rivalries, and professional triumphs, as seen in lines like "I might take all my exes and put 'em all in a group / Hit my eses, I need the boot," reflecting on romantic entanglements and the demands of success.[18] He addresses adversaries directly with "I got enemies, got a lot of enemies / Got a lot of people tryna drain me of this energy," portraying the paranoia and competition inherent in stardom, while boasting about his work ethic and material gains.[18] Central themes revolve around a party lifestyle and excess, exemplified by Scott's imagery of revelry such as "She like the way that I dance / She like the way that I move" in his second verse, evoking carefree sensuality and attraction in nightlife settings.[18] The song also nods to Houston's cultural heritage through the sample of Big Hawk's vocals in the bridge, where he raps "To win the retreat, we all in too deep / P-p-playin' for keeps, don't play us for weak," paying homage to the late rapper's legacy within the Screwed Up Click collective and underscoring themes of resilience and local triumph.[19] This interpolation serves as a tribute to Houston's hip-hop roots, with Scott crediting the clearance to Hawk's family, reinforcing pride in the city's influential sound.[19] The recurring ad-lib and title phrase "Sicko mode" encapsulates an intense, beast-like mindset of hyper-focus and superiority, as Scott declares "Young La Flame, he in sicko mode," symbolizing a relentless drive that elevates them above competitors in both artistry and hustle.[18] Guest hooks amplify these motifs: Swae Lee's chorus stresses hedonistic allure with "She like the way that I dance / Fuck on the bitch, she ain't even like that / She want the fizz and she like the way that I pour," portraying triumphant escapism and charisma.[18] Big Hawk's sampled lines, in turn, emphasize legacy and unyielding determination, tying personal success to communal Houston pride.[19] Overall, the lyrics blend slang-heavy wordplay—such as "pick and roll" for strategic maneuvering—with vivid depictions of extravagance and recklessness, portraying a lifestyle marked by materialism, interpersonal drama, and cultural loyalty.[20]Critical reception
Initial reviews
Upon its release on August 3, 2018, as the third track on Travis Scott's album Astroworld, "Sicko Mode" garnered immediate critical praise for its bold, multi-part structure and the effective collaboration between Scott and Drake. Pitchfork's track review highlighted the song's "three abrupt and overwhelming beat change-ups" as akin to "a rollercoaster that whips your neck and jabs your sides with sudden twists and turns," emphasizing its audacious design and replay value amid the album's hype. The outlet also commended the artists' chemistry, noting how Drake's return in the final third delivers "carefree slick talk" over booming Tay Keith drums that enhances the track's dynamic flow.[21] Billboard echoed this sentiment, describing "Sicko Mode" as a prime example of genre-bending innovation through its risky three-piece composition, which blended trap, psychedelic elements, and star power to drive radio appeal and cultural buzz surrounding Astroworld. Rolling Stone called it a showcase of Scott's signature style, where the complex shifts create a swirling chaos.[22] Variety praised the real-time editing effect of the beat switches, which interrupt Drake mid-verse before launching into Scott's energetic delivery, contributing to the song's momentum and the album's overall immersive world-building.[23] However, not all feedback was unqualified. In Pitchfork's album review, the track was noted for how Drake's standout verse—deemed "leagues better than most of his own turgid recent album Scorpion"—often overshadows Scott, underscoring a recurring critique of the rapper yielding the spotlight to guests on his projects. The song's elaborate production, including a showy sample from 2 Live Crew's "I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown)," was seen as meme-worthy but emblematic of Scott's reliance on high-profile features for impact.[24] These initial responses contributed to Astroworld's strong reception, with the album earning an aggregate score of 85 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 19 reviews, reflecting broad acclaim for tracks like "Sicko Mode" that fueled its replayability and positioned it as a centerpiece of 2018's hip-hop landscape.Accolades and retrospective analysis
"Sicko Mode" received significant recognition following its release, including a win for Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.[25] The track was also nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.[26] It ranked second on Billboard's staff picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2018, highlighting its immediate impact within the year's musical landscape.[27] In retrospective analyses, "Sicko Mode" has been credited with reconfiguring rap song structures through its innovative use of multiple beat switches, serving as a blueprint for fragmented and experimental hip-hop tracks in the years following its 2018 release.[2] Critics have praised its influence on post-2018 rap production, particularly in popularizing abrupt transitions that blend disparate sections into cohesive anthems, as seen in its inclusion among the best hip-hop beat switches of all time.[28] As of November 2025, the song had surpassed 2.48 billion streams on Spotify, underscoring its enduring commercial appeal.[29] Later evaluations have emphasized the track's longevity, transforming initial critiques of its unconventional three-part composition into acclaim for its bold experimentation and cultural staying power.[30] Featured in Rolling Stone's list of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far, "Sicko Mode" is now viewed as a pivotal work that expanded the possibilities of hip-hop maximalism.[31]Commercial performance
Chart achievements
"Sicko Mode" debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 dated August 18, 2018.[32] The track climbed steadily, reaching number 2 following the release of its music video in late October 2018, before hitting number 1 for one week on the chart dated December 8, 2018.[5] It spent a total of 52 weeks on the Hot 100.[33] On the Hot Rap Songs chart, "Sicko Mode" led for 18 weeks, the longest-running number-one on that tally at the time. The song's chart performance was propelled by massive streaming activity, accumulating over 100 million on-demand streams in its first full month on the chart.[2] Internationally, "Sicko Mode" entered the top 10 on numerous charts, peaking at number 6 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, number 3 on the Canadian Hot 100, and number 7 on New Zealand's Top 40 Singles Chart.[34][35][36][37] For year-end rankings, it placed second on the 2018 Billboard Hot 100 and 24th on the 2019 edition, reflecting its sustained popularity across both years.[38][39]Certifications and sales
"Sicko Mode" has garnered substantial commercial success, with certifications reflecting millions of units consumed across sales and streaming equivalents. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single 16× Platinum on October 8, 2025, equivalent to 16 million units including downloads and streams.[40] Internationally, the song has achieved multi-platinum status in several markets. Australia's ARIA certified it 8× Platinum, representing 560,000 units.[41] In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded 3× Platinum certification in January 2025, denoting 1.8 million units.[42] Mexico's AMPROFON recognized it as Diamond plus 2× Platinum on May 28, 2025, for 420,000 units.[43]| Region | Certifying Body | Certification Level | Units Equivalent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA | 16× Platinum | 16,000,000 | October 8, 2025 |
| Australia | ARIA | 8× Platinum | 560,000 | 2024 |
| United Kingdom | BPI | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000 | January 2025 |
| Mexico | AMPROFON | Diamond + 2× Platinum | 420,000 | May 28, 2025 |