The title of this song (“FE!N”) appears as if it may be an abbreviation of the word ‘fiend’, which as generally understood is a synonym for a villain. However, the lyrics don’t really focus on such a topic. Instead, the one subject matter that does seem to permeate most consistently throughout is the vocalists’, i.e. Travis Scott and Playboi Carti’s interactions with women. As for Sheck Wes, even though he’s billed as a co-headliner, his lyrical contribution to the song comes only in the form of adlibbing. And Playboi Carti can be considered the main vocalist, as he not only holds down the chorus but also drops two verses, as opposed to Travis, who only has one. Scott’s verse reads humbler than his traditional fare. This time around he doesn’t come off as some type of rich gangsta but rather someone who for instance is “flying out of town for some peace mind”. And even as far as the topic of women goes he doesn’t really harp on it, most notably pointing out in that regard that a particular “b*tch bites”, which we’ll leave it up to the reader to determine what he may be alluding to. Meanwhile Playboi Carti’s contribution, as far as his actual verses go, is more along the lines of the standard gun talk.  In the process of it all he gives a number of shoutouts to his act Homixide, which of course is an alternate way of spelling ‘homicide’. And as far as Playboy’s ruminations on women, he does note how he splurges on them but, seemingly more pointedly, how some can be too ambitious for their own good.
“Fien’, fien’, fien’, fien’-fien’-fien’ (Yeah)”

What exactly is the meaning of FE!N?

The term “fiend” is layered with diverse interpretations in this context. At its most straightforward level, it describes an individual deeply ensnared by drug addiction. However, it also alludes to darker supernatural entities, like malevolent spirits or demons. The multiple meanings of “fiend”:
    1. Evil Being: Historically, it often referred to an evil spirit or demon. In old English literature and folklore, fiends are malevolent supernatural beings.
    1. Addict: In modern slang, “fiend” can refer to someone who is extremely addicted or obsessed with something, especially drugs. For example, a “dope fiend” would be someone addicted to drugs.
    1. Wicked Person: The term can also describe a wicked or cruel person.
The context in which the word is used typically provides clues as to its intended meaning. And diving into into Travis Scott’s musical repertoire, one can discern a recurring theme where he touches upon his opiate use, most notably his consumption of lean. This drink is often associated with the hip-hop community. Through his lyrics, Scott provides a glimpse into his personal struggles and experiences with this potent mixture.
Travis Scott

Azealia Banks publicly reveals Travis Scott’s “drug problem”

Azealia Banks, the candid and often controversial singer-songwriter, in 2021 shared her feelings on the tragic passing of rap legend DMX on her Instagram platform. Many in the music world were taken aback by the sudden demise of DMX, and Banks was no exception. She openly expressed her sorrow and reflected on the profound influence DMX had on her own musical journey, marking him as a significant source of inspiration. In her heartfelt post, while Banks was vocal about her grief, she did not hold back from delving into some of the pressing issues plaguing the music industry. One of the primary concerns she raised was about the purported role the industry plays in promoting and even glamorizing drug abuse among its artists. Banks’ critical viewpoint on this matter has been echoed by many other artists and industry insiders in the past, but coming in the wake of DMX’s death, her words held a particularly poignant resonance.

Azealia Banks singles out Travis Scott

Banks went on to single out Travis Scott in her commentary. While she didn’t lay blame directly at his feet, she underscored the importance of early intervention and support for artists who may be grappling with addiction or other mental health issues. By bringing up Travis Scott’s name, she seemingly aimed to highlight that the problem of drug abuse is widespread and not limited to any single artist, regardless of their status in the industry. Furthermore, Azealia Banks offered a more critical lens into the internal workings of the music business. She suggested that there are individuals within the industry, such as tour managers and other key personnel, who might knowingly turn a blind eye to or even enable the drug habits of artists. The insinuation here is that these individuals might be prioritizing their own financial gains over the well-being of the artists they work with. In essence, Banks’ emotional post was a call to action, urging those in the industry to take a closer look at their practices and priorities. She hoped to shed light on the systemic issues that can sometimes overshadow the incredible talent and potential of artists, leading them down a path of self-destruction.

“I been flyin’ out of town for some peace of mind”

One of the key lines from “FE!N” is the one above. Following the devastating events at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival, he sat down for an interview with Charlamagne tha God. In this conversation, Scott shared his struggle to find solace after the heart-wrenching incident. Owing to the above, the phrase “Flyin’ out of town” might allude to him leaving Houston, Texas — a city of significant importance to him as it’s where he was born, raised, and currently lives. Notably, the Astroworld tragedy also took place in Houston.

Let’s talk about the aforementioned Astroworld Festival tragedy

The Astroworld Festival crowd crush on November 5, 2021, during Travis Scott’s performance in Houston, Texas, stands as one of the deadliest in music history, drawing intense scrutiny on concert safety. Initial reports suggest that a sudden surge of concert-goers towards the stage created a deadly compression, making it difficult for individuals to breathe. The tragedy resulted in ten confirmed deaths, with ages ranging from 14 to 27, and left many injured, some critically. Emergency services scrambled to address the crisis on site. Disturbing videos emerged showing attendees desperately signaling for help, trying to alert camera operators and security personnel about the escalating situation. The aftermath of the event was fraught with condemnation, leading to multiple lawsuits against Travis Scott, the event organizers, and other related parties. Allegations centered on poor organization, inadequate safety protocols, and a perceived insufficient response during the crisis. Scott, in subsequent days, expressed deep sorrow and committed to covering the funeral expenses of the deceased. Additionally, he collaborated with BetterHelp to offer free mental health services to affected attendees. This tragic incident has reignited urgent discussions about concert safety and the imperative for effective crowd control. It underscores the critical responsibility artists and organizers hold in ensuring the safety of attendees during live performances. Investigations are ongoing, led by local authorities and independent bodies, to pinpoint the exact causes and potential organizational lapses.
FE!N

Who wrote “FE!N”?

All three headliners of this track receive writing credits for it. The full list of writers looks like this:
    • P. Carti
    • S. Wes
    • T. Scott
    • Jahaan Sweet
The latter two on the list are also given production credits for “FE!N”.

Release Date of “FE!N”

“FE!N” was formally released on the 28th of July, 2023 alongside its album (“UTOPIA”). It is the eighth track on the said album’s tracklisting.
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