Future And Nicki Minaj’s “Rock Star”: Hear The Scrapped, George Michael-Sampling ‘Honest’ Track

Christina Lee | July 9, 2014 11:06 am

When Future was promoting his sophomore LP Honest, he kept bringing up a song that he wished was included. He would even play it for journalists at listening parties to show what fans were missing.

“Rock Star” features Nicki Minaj and interpolates George Michael‘s “Careless Whisper,” allowing the Atlanta rapper to flaunt his enthused bars and hoarse crooning skills. However, Future was forced to scrap the song after Michael’s camp refused to clear the sample.

Thanks to XXL, “Rock Star” can now be heard online. Future brings up infidelity, though he refuses to sound as remorseful as Michael did in his 1984 hit single. Instead, the Atlanta rapper lifts the hook’s melody to gleefully sing of a rock star lifestyle, as if inspired by the glimpses of red satin sheets and yachting life featured in the “Careless Whisper” video. He shouts out “Jumpin’ Out the Gym” by bonkers rap triumvirate rappers Migos, Riff RaFF and Trinidad James. Meanwhile, Minaj spits a minute long shout-out to her own lifestyle, sponsored by Myx Moscato.

Is “Rock Star” a sequel to “Careless Whisper”? Hardly. Is it as inspired? Nah — but it’s still a delight to hear how enthused and infectious Future can be when he sees dollar signs. Hear the scrapped Honest song and revisit Michael’s classic below.

[via Miss Info]

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