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DJ Khaled’s ‘Top Off’ was so whack that we had to investigate who’s to blame

beyonce March 5, 2018
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Last Thursday, DJ Khaled continued his run as the king of compilations with the announcement of his 11th studio album, Father of Asahd. 

That following day, Khaled released the album’s lead single titled “Top Off”. Like his last album Major Key, it featured Jay-Z, his wife Beyoncé, and Future.

Except, this time it was trash.

https://twitter.com/Y2Dre_/status/969715084175044608

It’s hard to slander Hov; it’s ever harder to slander Beyonce.

So the fact that a song featuring them both was so poorly done, in addition to having an accomplished artist like Future to assist, causes for an investigation.

We must find who’s culpable — and I believe we did — but first let’s start with whose fault it isn’t.

Jay-Z?

Nah, you’re tripping if you think Jay contributed to the mess that is “Top Off”.

While it wasn’t the strongest of verses, even the most mediocre of Jay verses are good enough. Even if you hated his flow, he said he’d kill George Zimmerman with his own hands. No way he’s taking blame after that bar.

Jay, you’re good.

Future, maybe?

At first listen, one would be inclined to blame Future. His squeaky voice doesn’t quite fit and there’s nothing special about the repetitive, mundane, simplistic hook.

But after a couple of listens it’s clear that Future was just being Future — he wasn’t doing anything he hasn’t been doing over the past decade.

Though his closing verse was scratchy and awful, I don’t think we can solely place the brunt of this horrific song on his shoulders.

Future, you get a pass.

No, not Beyonce?

Personally, I hated Beyonce’s contribution to ‘Top Off”. Vocally, it was trash and she proved in one short verse that she’s not the best rapping R&B chick in the game.

Even still, I can’t blame Bey. As bad as she was, there was an artist listed that, honestly, holds complete blame for the failure of this single.

That leaves one person, and one person only — DJ Khaled.

DJ Khaled

You have to blame Khaled. He’s the coach, the offensive coordinator, the conductor. How can’t you blame him?

Now, we’ll probably never understand how hard it is to reach out and get as many different acts on the same song AND for it to sound right, but if it’s not done correctly, why do it at all?

From the beat selection to the arrangement, this all falls on Khaled. He was so anxious to make an “anthem” that he ended up throwing together a mess.

I would have loved to hear a Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Future joint over something more slowed down or a moody joint like “Feds Did a Sweep” or “Scholarships”, that would have brought the dark side out of the married power couple, but instead we got a watered down pop song.

The last time the three got together on “I Got The Keys” they barely made it work. Switching it up completely this go round might have benefited them. But what do I know?

DJ Khaled is an unmistakable staple in our culture and music scene and nothing can take that away. But botching a song with the type of talent is egregious and not above reproach.

Let’s just hope the rest of the album isn’t this bad.

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