Jay-Z and the late Nipsey Hussle‘s new collaboration "What It Feels Like" has been released.
The Hussle x Hov track arrived as part of the Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack on Friday (February 12), dropping alongside its corresponding film, which tells the story of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton’s assassination by FBI informant William O'Neal.
Nipsey kicks off the track with a verse that talks of surviving the rap game. "And this is what it feels like / The only reason I survived ’cause a ni**a is special / First you get successful, then it gets stressful,” he raps before later name checking Malcolm X as he proclaims, “Young Malcolm / I’m the leader of the movement out this b*tch.”
Hov goes on to deliver a timely verse that addresses last month’s assault on the U.S. Capitol. “You let them crackers storm your Capitol / Put they feet up on your desk / And yet you talkin’ tough to me / I lost all my little respect,” he raps.
The song marks the first time that the late Nipsey, who was killed in March 2019, and Jay-Z have been featured on a track together.
Executive produced by Hit-Boy, Dash Sherrod, Ryan Coogler, and Archie Davis, Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album also features contributions from G Herbo, Lil Durk, Polo G, H.E.R., Nas, SiR, A$AP Rocky, Dom Kennedy, and more.
Judas and the Black Messiah, starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, is out today in select theaters and streaming on HBO Max.
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