Prompt Images
Seven years have passed since 2010, which is enough time for the show 24 to have resurrected the franchise not once, but twice, with a third incarnation in the works.
Tobey Maguire hung up his Spider-Man suit in 2007, only for Andrew Garfield to borrow it in 2012. Before he could even get it to the dry cleaners, Tom Holland snatched it for a 2015 movie.
The pace at which old becomes new again is faster than ever, so much so that a reboot of Kanye West & friends’ “Monster,” from his 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, is practically overdue. Two of the biggest names in rap—Rick Ross and Jay-Z—appeared on the track alongside Kanye himself. But it was Nicki Minaj who crashed the party with her bombastic grand finale, a verse that almost wasn’t:
“I thought about taking Nicki’s verse off of ‘Monster’ because I knew people would say that was the best verse on the best hip-hop album of all time or arguably top ten albums of all time.”
—Kanye West
Nevertheless, she persisted; “Monster” and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy all the better for it.
So now you’re up to speed on the original but
this
is
the remix.
Bon Iver
Did you even know Bon Iver is on this song? Because I’ve been stalking him since ~2008, I did, but it’s easy to miss him; his signature falsetto is obscured and at the time, he made for an unlikely Kanye West collaborator. Furthermore the first four lines of “Monster” have more in common with a skit in the heritage of a Wu-Tang Clan or De La Soul album, than the verses that follow.
Nevertheless, that is indeed Justin Vernon on the intro and outro of “Monster,” and the song deserves another high-quality vocalist to set it off.
Two guys named James—Blake and Fauntleroy—would be interesting selections.
James Blake‘s voice isn’t like an angel, it’s like 50 of them in perfect harmony. Like Bon Iver, defining Blake’s musical style is elusive, falling somewhere at the intersection of electronic, soul, and singer-songwriter. In fact, the two artists have worked together twice already (on “Fall Creek Boys Choir” and “I Need A Forest Fire”). Perhaps James Blake is too obvious a swap for Bon Iver.
If you’ve never heard of James Fauntleroy, look no further than another Kanye West album, GOOD Music Cruel Summer, where you’ll find his Bon Iver-inspired vocals on the underrated “Higher.” That is an awfully specific reference. OK, so perhaps James Fauntleroy isn’t obvious enough.
What about Frank Ocean? His vocals—solid. His lyrics—creative. His ability to sing about things that would make others blush—dauntless. If not for one other R&B vocalist, he’d be the perfect pick.
With his penchant for beautiful dark twisted themes and the voice of Michael Jackson incarnate, The Weeknd is the only answer.
Rick Ross
33 words. That is all Rick Ross requires to get in, get out, and get it done.
B*tch, I’m a monster, no-good blood-sucker
Fat motherf*cker, now look who’s in trouble
As you run through my jungles all you hear is rumbles
Kanye West samples, here’s one for example
What an amazing feat it would be to feature on “Monster” 2017 The Notorious B.I.G., another MC who made body self-shaming look good. If only holograms could freestyle. Maybe next lifetime, Biggie.
Pop quiz: who was the only 2010 rap contemporary NOT featured on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy? If you answered Lil Wayne, you’re either a superfan… or the warden of the jail he was locked up in when the album was recorded. Either way, Weezy could banish his FOMO for good with an “A Milli” quality verse on a “Monster” reboot.
And yet, the #1 candidate to take on Ricky Rozay’s efficient verse is another artist best enjoyed in small doses. A man who’s good for 33 words before his vocals decompose into something “less like words, more like raw energy and reactive emotions.” A “rock star for life” (I’m just being honest).
Future, I volunteer you as tribute!
And I’ll make this real easy… you’re only responsible for 3 lines here. Since you’ve already released a song and a mixtape named “Monster,” it would be oh so meta for you to make a simple edit to the last line, ahem:
Future Hndrxx samples, here’s one for example
Kanye West
For continuity and proper homage, I move to keep the chorus original, as performed by Kanye West. Two Midwestern talents vie to take on his verse.
It would be a disservice if we didn’t at least consider the most relevant (by some measures) contemporary rapper for the part. This youngblood is the present and future of hip-hop, but in the not-too-distant past, he was hoping and wishing that fellow Chicagoan Kanye West was his dad. When the two finally crossed into the same orbit, there was mutual admiration and respect, with multiple collaborations to follow. Of course I’m talking about Chance the Rapper.
While I’d love to hear what Lil Chano from 79th would spit over this spooky beat (and update Ye’s signature HAAH! with his own IGH!) somehow it just feels… wrong. Chance is better served, sonically and thematically, on a robust, redemptive song like “All of the Lights.”
Which brings us to the only real option all along (boy (boy (boy))).
Looking at you, Big Sean. Only a man given to the “tendency of spouting cringe-worthy dick jokes and misogynistic bars directed toward his paramours” is capable of refreshing that whole p*ssy in a sarcophagus business. Furthermore, Big Sean’s syncopated flow can keep pace with Kayne’s bars, faster on “Monster” than other Ye joints.
Say “Oh God!” if you’re with me.
Jay-Z
Love… I don’t get enough of it
is both a line from Jay Z’s verse AND his reaction to the response said verse received. It’s true, the OG and most prolific rapper of the group was overshadowed by a bunch of hungry young upstarts he made millionaires/Milling about, spilling they feelings in the air. Out of the whole camp, Young Hov’s flow’s the weakest.
2017’s been a year of reflection and redemption for Jay-Z, and I see no reason that can’t include rejiggering reJIGGA-ing his verse on “Monster.”
So go on, boy. Ether ’em. And when it’s all said and done, put your Yankee hat on.
Nicki Minaj
There are only two candidates for Nicki’s epic verse, and neither’s last name is MA.
Much like Chance deserves a look, Kendrick Lamar deserves a chance. The *other* most relevant (by some measures) contemporary rapper slayed 2017. Any collaboration record would be lucky to have him swoop in and absolutely destroy everyone who preceded him. After “Control,” though, I can’t see Big Sean agreeing to appear before Kendrick ever again.
“Monster” has so much testosterone, it needs a female to counterbalance it. Someone who puts the ‘ass’ in bad-ass b*tch. If you didn’t know where this was heading, you haven’t been paying attention. Of course the only MC (wo)man enough to reprise Nicki’s incomparable verse is Cardi B!
Nicki’s explosive verse leaves big shoes to fill, but with expensive, red bottom, bloody shoes of her own, Cardi can give it her best shot. And in spite of rumors and antagonism, Nicki’s been nothing but supportive of the breakout star. In fact, Cardi teamed up with Nicki on the latest from Migos, “Motor Sport.”
$50K for a verse, no album out, indeed.
Loved ’em? Hated ’em? What did you think of Jillakiss’s picks? Can anything top the original, anyway? Tag @thepromptmag on Twitter for some good, ol’ fashioned trash-talkin’!
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