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With Travis Scott's Days Before Rodeo finally topping the Billboard album charts, after an intense sales battle with Sabrina Carpenter's Short N Sweet, the rapper has now treated fans with the official music video for the track titled Mo City Flexologist.
The visuals were uploaded to Scott's YouTube channel yesterday, seemingly acting as a "love letter" to Missouri City, the Houston suburb Travis grew up in. The video was announced via the rapper's Instagram account, where he shared his appreciation for DBR's successful re-release when he stated:
"THE REAL ONES TOOK DBR TO #1. I MUST DELIVER. MO CITY FLEXOLOGIST VIDEO OUT NOW"
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Travis' decision to have the video directed as a trip down memory lane, by including old footage and VHS-type editing, helps give fans a look into the rapper's life before the fame.
Several instances depicted in Mo City Flexologist visually take the rapper back to his roots by including scenes reminiscent of his high-school days alongside local hotspots like Carey’s Frozen Delights. Clips from the music video were going viral, upon its release, with news media outlets sharing re-posts of the song.
This resulted in high amounts of engagement online, amongst fans and critics, across social media platforms. One individual was even seen praising the song's release claiming that Travis had returned to his debut mixtape, Owl Pharaoh, era.
Similar reactions followed with fans claiming that Mo City Flexologist is reminiscent of Travis Scott's early days as a recording artist. Fans were seen highlighting their appreciation for Days Before Rodeo, with many hoping the Deluxe edition of the re-mastered mixtape will be delivered to streaming services soon.
"Days before rodeo montage - it's 2014 again." - Said a fan.
"This is top 10 if not top 5 travis songs" - A fan added.
"Days before rodeo deluxe on streaming soon?" - A fan questioned.
"Now he needs to drop it on streaming" - Said another.
"Streaming next. At this point i might just switch to YouTube music" - A fan stated.
Several fans praised the visuals showcased in Travis Scott's music video for Mo City Flexologist, with individuals appreciating the rapper for dedicating imagery in the video to Houston.
"Dope shots of the real Houston" - said a fan.
"Already one of my favorite music videos in a while" - said another.
"If you’ve spent any time in Houston, this brings a tear to your eye" - a fan stated.
"Travis don't miss with music videos" - a fan chimed in.
Bar-For-Bar: Breaking down Travis Scott's new single 'Mo City Flexologist'
Travis Scott reportedly recorded and mastered Mo City Flexologist, back in 2014, with production assistance from The Honorable C.N.O.T.E. Although this record was previewed twice at two live shows in 2014, the track went unreleased for over 10 years before finally being delivered to fans.
Travis' Mo City Flexologist was included as a "digital download" on the Deluxe edition for Days Before Rodeo, being exclusively distributed on the rapper's official website. The 2014 mixtape was delivered to streaming services in August, marking the project's 10th anniversary.
The music video for Mo City Flexologist was directed by Kahlil Joseph, who teamed up with cinematographer Chayse Irvin to capture the intriguing "home video" aesthetic and themes.
Quick cuts, dark lighting, local spots in Houston, and even a fake clip of a news broadcaster speaking on the earthquakes caused by Scott's performance in Italy are showcased in the song's music video. Notable themes that Travis Scott's Mo City Flexologist references and delves into are listed below:
- Introspection
- Faith
- Success
- Wealth
- Luxury
- Excess
- Substance Abuse
- Hedonism
- Philandering
- Intimacy
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
(Chorus)
"Somethin', somethin', somethin' new (Oh) / It's always somethin' new (Ooh)"
Given the track was written during his Days Before Rodeo era, the hook on Mo City Flexologist seemingly makes references to this transitional phase in his life, given that Travis Scott was on the brink of commercial success.
The repetitive nature of the hook highlights Travis's acceptance that life is filled with constant change, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for his evolution as an artist.
(Verse 1)
"Uh, it's somebody, young n---a steeze / Some' 'bout the way the braids on this young n---a breeze / Everybody drunk, feelin' numb in the knees / Girls want to have fun, have fun with a G / When I thought I told you freaks / Please move back, give me room please"
Listeners are then introduced to Travis Scott's original verse from 2014, where he primarily speaks on themes of intimacy, s*x, success, wealth, and excess.
The rapper's performance exudes a more youthful, energetic, style, as compared to verse 2 which was recently recorded, whose vocal delivery and cadence are more familiar to recent listeners.
"Nutty broke girls made me sneeze (La Flame) / Diamonds dancin' like the Double Dribble / Ooh, they love when La Flame turn five-hundred degrees / You might need a psychologist, Mo City fle-fle-flexologist (Straight up) / Pornographic, shootin' on Metropolis / Double-dippin', hope that's not your b---h (Not your b---h)"
Travis Scott then highlights instances from his personal life, which finds him humuorsly citing an allergic reaction to manipulative or "Nutty Broke" women. He also proceeds to flex his immense wealth before shouting out his fans for appreciating his high energy live performances.
The term "Flexologist" is a play on the word "Psychologist." Where the latter's duties include helping people with mental health struggles, the former, however, identifies an individual who flexes their wealth and success.
"Damn, these damn Atlanta h--s got me on the pill / Yeah, yeah, they down for the thrill (Thrill, dope) / Lord, I swear it's so cold at the top, yeah, for reals / May La Flame live forever for real, yeah, yeah, yeah, for real"
Travis then makes references to his excessive party life in cities like Atlanta, where the rapper is seemingly surrounded by pretty women, drugs, and alcohol.
Scott ends his verse by addressing God, citing how finally reaching "the top" of the music industry opened his eyes to how "cold" and lonely it truly is. The hook returns once again before listeners are introduced to Mo City Flexologist's second verse.
(Verse 2)
"Run back them summers I caught through the night, I done dirtied the Sprite, I done crushed up the ice (Yeah) / Who knew LaFlame make it bigger than life? On the come up, I had to find faith through the lights (It's lit) / To book me, they gotta go bigger the price, rock a kilo of gold just to dip it in ice (No)"
Travis Scott begins the second verse by referencing his excess nightlife and elusive nocturnal activities, which seemingly include drugs and alcohol. This can be evidenced within the same bar, as the rapper then highlights the process of making "lean," which includes mixing cough syrup with sprite and crushed ice.
Scott then speaks on his tough come-up, citing instances of having to search for "faith" in himself. This bar is then accentuated by the rapper revealing that events now book him for whatever price he charges.
"I got kids at my shows, know they with me for life / Look at the numbers, been killin' the mic' (Been killin') / Yeah, I been killin' the mic' / Just left the Grove, hit the links up with Mike / Engulfin', I'm puttin' my grease to this pipe / Me and these n----s ain't nothin' alike / I got b---hes for every single one of my type"
Travis then seemingly takes a sneak diss at rapper Killer Mike, who took home the Grammy for "Best Rap Album - For Michael" at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards beating Scott's 2023 LP Utopia.
Scott highlights the impact of his live performances before subtly stating he's "been killin' the mic". The rapper then references his close connection to producer Mike Dean, before aggressively citing why he's considered different from other modern rappers.
"I got whips for every single one of these nights / Becomin' a presi, you veto advice / No gettin' Lewinsky, no rollin' the dice (Woo) / Show me somethin' new, somethin' new / What's flowin' through my veins got me in the mood / Past twelve and you in the zoo / Tryna show ya (Yeah), show ya, somethin' new"
Travis Scott then seemingly brings up Monica Lewinsky's alleged affair with ex-president Bill Clinton, citing that engaging in "scandalous behavior" is similar to gambling or "rollin' the dice" with his career as reasons for why he avoids those kinds of interactions.
The hook returns for one final run before Scott's Mo City Flexologist officially closes.
Fueled by themes of hedonism, excess, and substance abuse, Travis Scott's Mo City Flexologist easily finds its place amongst some of the rapper's more popular recent releases. Comparing the evolution of his vocal performances, delivery, and bars, from 2014 to 2024 makes for an extremely introspective listening experience.
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