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Telekinesis (song)

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"Telekinesis"
Song by Travis Scott featuring SZA and Future
from the album Utopia
ReleasedJuly 28, 2023
RecordedNovember 4, 2019 – June 2023
Studio
Genre
Length5:53
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Travis Scott
  • BoogzDaBeast
  • Nabeyin
  • Wallis Lane
  • Kanye West (add.)
  • Jahaan Sweet (add.)
  • Hudson Mohawke (add.)

"Telekinesis" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper and singer Travis Scott featuring fellow American singer SZA and fellow American rapper Future from the former's fourth studio album, Utopia (2023). It was released on July 28, 2023, as the album's penultimate track. The song was written by the artists, BoogzDaBeast, Kanye West, Jahaan Sweet, Nabeyin, Wallis Lane, Edgar Panford, and Victory Boyd. It was produced by Scott, BoogzDaBeast, Nabeyin, and Wallis Lane, with additional production from West, Sweet, and Hudson Mohawke. Originally recorded for West's albums Jesus Is King (2019) and Donda (2021), he later gave the song to Scott, who was a featured artist on his version, and reused its chord progression for "Heaven and Hell".

A hip-hop and electronic song, "Telekinesis" features synthesizers and string arrangements, which rise throughout. Scott sings its refrain, with Future's lyrics concerning isolation and drug addiction while SZA laments a past lover. It received positive reviews from music critics, who often praised Future and SZA's guest appearances, as well as the song's arrangement. It went on to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 26 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 9. The song also attained top-50 positions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It received platinum and double platinum certifications in the US and Canada by the Recording Industry Association of America and Music Canada, respectively.

In January 2025, Boyd filed a legal complaint against Scott, SZA, and Future, alleging that they had used elements of her song "Like the Way it Sounds", the demo that became West's version of "Telekinesis", without her knowledge or permission. Scott's lawyers argued that Boyd wasn't the song's sole author, as she created it with West.

Background

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"Telekinesis" was originally a gospel song recorded for Kanye West's albums Jesus Is King (2019),[1] and Donda (2021). It went by multiple different names during production, including "Future Bounce", "Future Sounds", and "Ultrasounds".[2][1] The song had previously leaked online, with Travis Scott as a featured artist, and was used in promotional material by West.[3][4][5][6] After scrapping it, West repurposed the chord progression for the Donda track "Heaven and Hell",[7] and later gave it to Scott.[8] Like with other songs that were originally West's, such as "God's Country" and "Thank God", his vocals were removed from the final version.[4]

Composition

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Through most of the song, soft, wavy synthesizers are played in the production. During Travis Scott's chorus refrain, the instrumental uses "quick snare hits, deep bass, trill hi-hats, and industrial tones",[3] coming in when he proclaims "the future of the bounce". Future's lyrics revolve around isolation increasing his drug addiction,[9][10] while SZA laments losing a past lover, referencing the song "Marvins Room" by Drake.[9] The track samples "Arena — 83 bpm" by Wallis Lane.[6]

Critical reception

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The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with particular acclaim towards SZA's guest appearance. Complex's Stefan Breskin considered it the best song from Utopia, while Eric Skelton commented that the song "jumped out on first listen" and Mike Destefano called it a "close second" for him. Jessica McKinney and Destefano also regarded the song as having among the album's best features.[11] Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop said, "Out of all the gorgeous moments on this new LP, 'Telekinesis' with Future and SZA is one of the most ascendant." He further stated "SZA's beautiful vocal performance and rapping paired perfectly with rising synths and string arrangements" and compared the song to Travis Scott and Beyoncé's "Delresto (Echoes)" in that "'Telekinesis' opts for consistent and elevatory progressions rather than a big payoff. As a result, it might not gratify you on impact, but every melody and second of its journey will work its way into you."[3]

Vivian Medithi of HipHopDX commented "Unlike the rest of Scott's [Donda] leftovers, Utopia breathes new life into the track, if only by passing the baton to Future and SZA", before calling the song a "great example of why people bother with these records in the first place."[2] Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre wrote that "Future is strong over the orchestral beat of 'Telekinesis,' and I like when he raps, 'Countin' so much money till my skin peel.' SZA is here, too, sounding good and sounding like she's collecting a check."[12] Andre Gee of Rolling Stone commented that Scott had a "solid verse" on the song, also praising Future's verses, adding that, "When Future laments on 'Telekinesis' that he's 'takin' more drugs all alone in a mansion/Walkin' around tweakin' with the yop in my hands,' you feel like someone's finally depicting what rich-nigga nihilism is supposed to sound like."[10] Ben Devlin of MusicOMH wrote that "Scott's match-making reaches its apex" in the song.[9] Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Billboard ranked it as the best song from Utopia.[13]

Lawsuit

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On January 8, 2025, songwriter Victory Boyd filed a copyright infringement legal complaint against Scott, SZA, and Future, alleging that "Telekinesis" utilized elements of her 2019 song "Like the Way It Sounds"[1][14] – reportedly written during the studio sessions for West's album Jesus Is King[15] – without her permission.[1][14] The suit alleged that Boyd, who is credited as a co-writer on "Telekinesis", shared her original song with West, who then recorded a version titled "Ultrasounds"; West then shared the track with Scott without Boyd's "authorization, knowledge or consent".[1][14] She requested that all the defendants "recall and destroy" any work containing "Telekinesis".[1] Boyd also sued watchmaker Audemars Piguet for using "Telekinesis" in a collaborative advertising campaign with Scott's Cactus Jack brand, despite her refusal to grant them a license.[14][15]

In response, Scott's lawyers stated in a July 14 motion that Boyd's lawsuit should be dismissed, as she failed to mention that West had contributed to the composition of "Like the Way It Sounds". In her original filing for the complaint, Boyd acknowledged that West had provided her with the "chords and beats" for the song, yet claimed sole authorship.[16] In 2023, she filed a registration with the U.S. Copyright Office, naming herself the sole author of "Like the Way It Sounds", but later filed a second registration for only its lyrics in June 2025.[16] Scott's legal team argued that both filings should be voided, as the first failed to name collaborators while the second was made after the case had begun.[8] In a statement to Billboard, Boyd's attorney Keith Richard said they would "file opposition papers within the next two weeks", expecting Scott's motion "to be summarily denied in short order."[16]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Telekinesis"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[39] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[40] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[41] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[42] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[43] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[44] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Platinum 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[46] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[48] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paul, Larisha (January 9, 2025). "Songwriter Hits Travis Scott, SZA, Future With Copyright Suit Over 'Telekinesis'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Medithi, Vivian- (July 30, 2023). "'Utopia' Is More Boring Than Travis Scott". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Nevares, Gabriel Bras (July 30, 2023). "Travis Scott, Future & SZA Soar Through Space On "Utopia"'s "Telekinesis"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Galindo, Thomas (July 29, 2023). "Review: Travis Scott's Return on 'Utopia' is Everything Rap Needed, and Then Some". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Leake, Desmond (August 1, 2023). "Travis Scott's Utopia: In With the Old and Out With the New". Paste. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  6. 1 2 「UTOPIA」の背後に潜む「DONDA」の秘密: トラヴィス・スコットとカニエの交差点 [The secret of “DONDA” behind “UTOPIA”: The intersection of Travis Scott and Kanye]. note（ノート） (in Japanese). August 18, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  7. ↑ Nabeyin (February 17, 2025). Inside the Sauce: The making of Kanye's Heaven and Hell and Travis Scott Telekinesis. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via YouTube.
  8. 1 2 Barba, Rovelyn (July 17, 2025). "Travis Scott Slams Victory Boyd in Explosive 'Telekinesis' Lawsuit: 'She Lied on Copyright'". Music Times. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Devlin, Ben (August 4, 2023). "Travis Scott – Utopia". MusicOMH. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Gee, Andre (July 31, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Is an Empty Paradise". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ McKinney, Jessica; Caraballo, Ecleen Luzmila; Skelton, Eric; Rose, Jordan; Breskin, Stefan; Destefano, Mike; Felderstein, Ben (July 28, 2023). "First Impressions Of Travis Scott's New Album 'Utopia'". Complex. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  12. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (July 31, 2023). "Travis Scott: Utopia Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 28, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Album: All 19 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Donahue, Bill (January 9, 2025). "Travis Scott, SZA & Future Face Copyright Suit Over 'Telekinesis'". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Boice, Ed (January 17, 2025). "Gospel Singer Victory Boyd Sues Travis Scott, SZA, & Future For Stealing Music". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 Scharf, Rachel (July 15, 2025). "Travis Scott, SZA & Future Say Ye's Involvement in 'Telekinesis' Dooms Copyright Lawsuit". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Travis Scott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 31. týden 2023" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Travis Scott Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 35/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 11/8/2023 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ "2023 31-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Travis Scott Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". VG-lista. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 11/8/2023 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 11/8/2023 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  39. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Music Canada. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Travis Scott – Telekinesis". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  43. ↑ "French single certifications – Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  45. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Travis Scott feat. SZA & Future – Telekinesis". Radioscope. Retrieved February 2, 2026. Type Telekinesis in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  46. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 11, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Telekinesis in the search box.
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Travis Scott/Sza/Future – Telekinesis". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 21, 2024. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Telekinesis Travis Scott/Sza/Future in the "Search:" field.
  48. ↑ "American single certifications – Travis Scott – Telekinesis". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
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