2017 will go down as a monumental year for hip-hop and rap fans, with projects dropping from Drake, Lil Uzi, Playboi Carti, Tyler, the Creator, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, 21 Savage, and many more.
One notable project from 2017 that often goes overlooked is SUPER SLIMEY, a collaborative mixtape released on October 20, 2017, by Atlanta superstar rappers Young Thug and Future.
Fresh off their Billboard Hot 100 certified 2× Platinum hit “Relationship“, rumors began to swirl that Future and Young Thug were working on a project, fueled by their numerous social media posts showcasing photos and tweets from their studio sessions together. An article by Complex highlights the buildup and signs that led to their highly anticipated collaboration tape.
5 facts about SUPER SLIMEY
1- The mixtape’s release and cover art were announced a day prior to release, on October 19, 2017
One day prior to release, the two rappers posted the title of the album along with the release date and covert art, which features a green snake-symbolizing Young Thug — who has a known love for snakes and even owns one — wrapped around a bird’s head, representing Future’s Freebandz label. The slimey texture is thought to symbolize codeine syrup, which both artists often reference in their music.
2- ‘SUPER SLIMEY’ debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 (Behind Shania Twains, ‘Now’). The tape sold 75,000 album-equivalent units, of which 15,000 were pure album sales in its first week of release
3- ‘SUPER SLIMEY‘ marked Future’s third top-three debut album of 2017, following the success of his self-titled album, FUTURE, and its companion, HNDRXX
Fast forward to 2024, and Future would surpass this feat by releasing three debut number-one albums in the same year: WE DON’T TRUST YOU, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU, and MIXTAPE PLUTO, all of which debuted at number one.
4- The only track featuring a guest artist turned out to be the tape’s most popular song
The sole feature song on the tape, “Patek Water”‘ featured Migos’ member, Offset. The track’s popularity was likely boosted by the success of Migos’ #1 platinum album, Culture, which had dropped at the beginning of the same year and topped the Billboard 200.
“Patek Water,” which references Patek Philippe watches and the trio’s lavish lifestyles, reached #50 on Billboard’s Hot 100. HNHH called the collaboration a “standout,” while Pitchfork noted that the “timepiece-flashing song is a collective heat-check for three of rap’s hottest MCs.”
5- ‘SUPER SLIMEY’ was primarily recorded in Atlanta, with much of the production coming from local Atlanta-based producers
Both Future and Young Thug take pride in their roots, frequently referencing their hometown city of Atlanta in their music, so it would make sense that this collaboration primarily took place there. Notable producers on the album include Southside, Wheezy, London on da Track, and Mike WiLL Made-It, among others.
While Future and Young Thug have teamed up on countless tracks, SUPER SLIMEY remains an often-overlooked treasure of the 2010s. The mixtape embodies their unique chemistry and creative flair, showcasing the best of both artists while celebrating a pivotal moment in hip-hop.
