Image via Complex Original
There aren't enough air horns in the world to recreate the feeling of a new G.O.O.D. Music single materializing out of thin air, and with a bench-clearing grip of features—including a fresh-outta-prison Gucci Mane. So how you're going to explain to future generations what it was like when "Champions" is on you.
It's important at times like this to have friends to share your feelings with and we're friends, right? Let's talk about rapping and who did it best. Of Quavo, Travi$ Scott, Desiigner, Kanye West, Yo Gotti, Big Sean, Gucci, and 2 Chainz, who jumped highest? Who made you scrunch your face up the tighest? Which verse will you memorize this afternoon to scream tonight? We tried to find out.
Yo Gotti
You have to feel for Memphis’ own Yo Gotti on this one. On a track full of stars, his doesn’t shine as bright but he manages to hold his own. Most of his verse is spent letting you know what he was doing in his Phantom, appreciating Kanye’s ability to get the goons in the building, and expressing his desire to fuck up the neighborhood. It lacks memorable lines (although "whips so nasty, no manners" is fresh), but he's also in the death spot, setting us up for Gucci’s full verse. It’s one of those things where, when Gotti’s spitting, you’re making sure all of your crew is together in the club so you can all get ready for Gucci’s capper. And for giving us a moment to breathe and find our squad, Gotti, we thank you. —khal
Travi$ Scott (and Desiigner)
Quantifiably, Travi$ Scott doesn't do much here but it'd be a mistake to underplay his impact. What La Flame really brings to G.O.O.D.'s table is vibe and aesthetic—and, to let him tell it at least, the skeleton of the track is all him. Much like Travi$'s idol Kid Cudi, the role he plays here is bigger than contributing a 16. His instantly recognizable ad-libs ("Straight up!") and such are the secret sauce dripping over all the guests and sounds to create one original flavor. And it would seem that Desiigner's a sorcerer's apprentice. Would the track flow as well without their undercurrent? God bless the wires in the 'Ye button. —Frazier Tharpe
Quavo
"Supermodels think I'm handsome." What a magical line from Migos spitter Quavo. He ends up spitting the same verse twice on the song, both setting it off and fitting it in between the infectious hook and a stellar verse from 2 Chainz. Time and time again Quavo continues to shine on tracks—at this point, a solo effort from the Atlanta trapper is inevitable. Just don't get in front of the chopper, or he'll start blasting. —Zach Frydenlund
Big Sean
I would give big shouts to Big Sean for getting shorty a Honda CR-X. Take $1,500 to the dealer auction, cop a Honda, dump three Gs into it, and boom, you’re an extra in Fast & Furious 15. (She has to be either Dominican or Puerto Rican—you know we love us some dropped Hondas. Mami will race yo’ ass to the mall in a jersey dress.)
Beyond the car talk, Sean’s verse is very inspirational and religious. Believe in God and buy your girl a hooptie sounds like a recipe to success if you ask me. It must feel good to be on G.O.O.D. and able to shower your loved ones with gifts from the heart. The wordplay is on point, too. “Blow the check up, detonation/Kill 'em one by one, Final Destination,” is more clever than corny. I am confused about this “Championship team, but we can't cut the net” line, though. Maybe it went over my head, contemplation. Did I do that right? —Angel Diaz
Kanye West
Fresh out of debt (or so he claims) and now squarely at the center of both the fashion and music worlds, Kanye has won his personal battles, and now, with the help of "Champions," so can you! It's too early to call this the song of the summer, but this is the song that will start your summer, having all the hallmarks—triumph, invulnerability, guiltless consumption, and excess—of a track that will power you through wild nights and long weekends. It's not the final mix—at this point, is that true of any of Kanye's new music?—but it's the version that we'll likely remember best, having reaffirmed his ability to shut everything down on the strength of his music, rather than whatever he may be saying on Twitter. That's not to diminish the importance of Kanye's personality, but after an album that many have called one of his weakest (note: it's still very, very good), Kanye had to come in and remind us that he can still hit the 'Ye button when he needs to. Don't pray for him; pray for his competition. —Gus Turner
Gucci Mane
The Ice Cream Man is home, so grab the kids and let them hear the truth. It’s a Reynolds for these “Gucci clones.” Our man is fresh out the bing looking like Teddy Pendergrass before the accident and ready to reclaim his rightful place as the Trap God. I hope he rocks all white forever. Plus, he seems to have a ride or die by his side. “I heard your bitch ride on the bus, you don't give a damn/My bitch drive a Lamb’, you should call her ma’am” and “I gave my bitch two mil’ ‘cause she stuck around” is proof that not all men are trash. —Angel Diaz
2 Chainz
I took a nap in the pulpit
I never like how a suit fit
I got a pocket full of money
It got me walkin' all slue-foot
2 Chainz didn't need to give us more after the four opening bars of the best verse on "Champions"—they're perfect. He's moneyed up and reckless and blasphemous. He's falling asleep in church; he's uncomfortable in a suit that cost more than my life. The cash in his pocket has him walking clumsy. And because he's a genius, he makes that description of his graceless country gait jam up the rhyming pattern: "pulpit" to "suit fit" to "slue-foot." That near rhyme blacked me out. I don't remember what happened afterward. I came to on the subway platform and when the crescent moon of a crowd gathered around my crumpled body asked what the matter was I moaned, "2 Chaaaaaaaaiiiinzzzz." —Ross Scarano