Denzel Curry Drops “X-WING” Video Ahead Of ‘Melt My Eyez See Your Future: The Extended Edition’

Denzel Curry falls into an exciting camp of hip-hop artists like Vince Staples and Cordae who are deeply educated on the history of their craft and have a ton of reverence for the pioneers who came before them, yet recognize that their true role as artists is to contribute something original that will help move the genre forward. With so many cookie-cutter soundcoud rappers opting to make ignorant statements dissing legends like Tupac for clout, while, ironically, coasting on the blueprint of atmospheric horror beats laid out by Three-6-Mafia, it’s understandable so many people are nostalgic for the boom-bap. As for me, I actually prefer to hear something new rather than a rehashed imitation of the past. In fact, I would wager that a lot of this nostalgia might stem more from romanticizing a time when it felt like there was more variety between artists and everything was fresh The problem isn’t that there’s a new wave of stars that, somehow, changed things so much that they’ve “ruined” rap music. The problem is that too many have relaxed back into a lazy formula that’s selling and really aren’t changing shit at all, because they have no real vision. Change is positive and it’s the artists that are willing to push the limits and experiment in ways that reenergize the genre that will, ultimately, offer more than the ones that appeal to you just because they sound like someone else you used to bump 25 years ago.  And if anyone has proven they’re willing to run head-first into new territory and take a risk with each new release, it’s Denzel Curry.

The Carol City, Florida rapper began as part of SpaceGhostPurrp‘s Raider Klan collective before going solo in 2013 after its dissolution. From the very beginning, Curry had a commanding flow that matched the aggressive beats he was riding on. He also had a strong identity right out the gate and, on his 2016 sophomore release, Imperial, he released a song called “Gook” that embraced his differences. A description under the video elaborated: “Not to be confused with the racial slur used to describe Foreigners, Denzel dives deep into Miami culture creating an anthem around it’s local street slang for “lame or weird. Made to empower societies outcasts, The song focuses on not being afraid to be yourself and turning that negative into a positive.” His third studio album, Ta13oo dropped in 2018 and saw Zel pushing further in the direction of a concept record, tackling increasingly darker subject matter including his molestation as a child. Sonically, the music was more varied with melodic tracks, stark atmospheric moody cuts and even aggressive rapid-fire verses spit over trap beats. By the time his next studio effort, Zuu arrived as a tribute to the bass-heavy sound of his home of Florida, it was clear that Curry had no limit to his range or his plans. His UNLOCKED EP produced by Kenny Beats was accompanied by both a short film and a comic book. This kid was going to dump everything he had into a project and then move on to the next one and do it all over again.

His latest album Melt My Eyez See Your Future doesn’t just reflect Curry‘s continued evolution as an artist, but as an individual, as well. The lead-off track, “Melt Session #1” [featuring Robert Glasper] is a jazzy number that sets the tone. This song is frontloaded with the theme of redemption and growth, containing such lyrics as, “I wholeheartedly understand why I need to grow even though I’m grown / If I did you wrong, I vow to make it right,” “Dealt with thoughts of suicide, women I’ve objectified / Couldn’t see it through my eyes so for that, I apologize,” and “Accountability I take responsibility.” It also sheds light on the album title, when he says, “Being aware is my definition of melt / My eyes eating perfections within myself.” The 27-year-old seems focused on evolving at all costs, punctuated by the recurring phrase throughout the album, “I keep walkin’.” A song titled, “Walkin,” is even one of the first 3 singles released and features Denzel trekking through the desert in a spaghetti western-style music video peppered with sci-fi elements. He briefly references going to therapy, along with systemic racism, violence, inequality, and coping mechanisms to deal with all of the trauma that surrounds him and the world at large. Named after the fictional Japanese character of a blind swordsman, “Zatoichi“ [featuring Slowthai] has a video with a kung fu theme that has Denzel training in the jungle. It shifts into washed-out psychedelic infrared imagery over a battle sequence once the song breaks into a drum n bass rhythm in the second half. The lyrics seem to speak on the struggles of his community and others like it along with his own desire to alleviate that pain. “Man, I ain’t woke, I’m just sleep deprived.” Referring to himself as a blind man attempting to lead the blind, he places more value on his ability to reach people than on physical achievements, “Fuck a Benz, fuck a Porshe / say my name, I teleport.” The other single, “Troubles” [featuring T.Pain] is about achieving some level of success after growing up with nothing and the struggles that come with the fame. The video is partially shot in black and white with Denzel in crutches on stage at a jazz club.

The brand-new video for the song “X-Wing” continues with engaging visuals that incorporate film references, sci-fi, and other aspects of nerd culture. Curry has always been open about his love of Anime and his current hairstyle is even reminiscent of characters like Naruto. I may be in the minority, but I genuinely love to see this sort of stuff integrated into hip-hop, because it not only provides an opening for others who might feel like outcasts and share these interests, but it’s an example of blending influences from his own generation into the culture. Anyone that hates on expanding the culture in that way needs to go back and take a look at Wu-Tang. The scene for “X-Wing” is set in a Blade Runner-esque pseudo-Cyberpunk Neo-Tokyo-style landscape complete with massive holograms and Zel flying an X-Wing fighter, when he isn’t wielding a samurai sword on the back of a motorcycle or shown as a silhouette training with his blade. There is even a brief moment of animation cut into it. Among gems like the line, “This game like Home Depot / Bitch, they got keys, hoes, and hammers,” “X-Wing” sounds as if Denzel is coming to terms with the backlash of success by finally allowing himself to accept that he has the right to enjoy it, after everything he’s been through.

“Mac ain’t make it to twenty-seven
Pac ain’t make it to twenty-six
Big’ ain’t make it to twenty-five
It’s only right that I gotta get rich“

Check the “X-Wing” video out below.

One of the most impressive aspects of Melt My Eyez See Your Future is the way that each track flows into the next as if it’s a journey in itself. “X-Wing” doesn’t appear on the album until song number 9 and it’s a gradual progression up to that point. The contrast between something like this and the opener might feel more drastic if they were played back-to-back, but as an overall unified project, the sequencing on this LP is flawless and highlights the musicality of it as a singular piece of art. Already critically acclaimed, the physical version of the LP will finally be released this Friday, September 30th. Adding to the excitement is the announcement of an extended edition that will include “a special version of the album performed live in one take” with a pair of new additional tracks: “Chrome Hearts” [featuring Zacari] and “Larger Than Life.” Backing him for this reimagined version is the 10-piece Cold Blooded Soul Band that he performed with during recent appearances on The Tonight Show and his NPR Tiny Desk Concert. The extended edition will premiere this Thursday the 29th with a live stream concert Melt My Eyez: Live From The Komodo City Cafe followed by an afterparty interview & Q+A with Denzel.

You’ll be able to stream Live From Komodo City Cafe HERE.
Pre-save The Extended Edition HERE.