When Travis Scott launched the original Jackboys compilation in 2019, it was a surprise drop that dominated charts and introduced a generation to the power of his Cactus Jack imprint. Fast forward to July 13, 2025, and Jackboys 2 arrives as both a sequel and a statement—a 17-track behemoth soaked in maximalist production, star-studded collaborations, and the psychedelic aesthetic only La Flame could conjure.

Anchored by Travis, Jackboys 2 spotlights the evolution of his inner circle—Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, SoFaygo—while also extending a hand to both rap mainstays and emerging icons. From Playboi Carti and Future to GloRilla and Tyla, the guest list underscores the compilation’s hybrid identity: equal parts label showcase and culture-shaping anthology.

“Da Wizard” and the Deluxe Drop

The buzz reached another level with the Jackboys 2 Deluxe edition. Released via the official Jackboys website just days after the standard drop, the deluxe includes new tracks like “trip out,” “hold still,” and the enigmatic “Da Wizard.” While the title has led to speculation about a producer or a concept character, “Da Wizard” unfolds as a backdropped, menacing track that channels Travis’s darker UTOPIA-era energy.

On “Da Wizard,” Travis manipulates his voice through pitch-shifting effects and slithers over a warped beat reminiscent of 808s-era Kanye and Houston chopped-n-screwed classics. Lyrically cryptic, the track appears to double as a mission statement and alter ego:

“Got a staff made of platinum, cloak of codeine mist,
They ain’t see the trick, now the whole crowd twist.”

The lyrics paint Travis as a sonic alchemist—part shaman, part trap star—fitting neatly into the narrative of a ‘wizard’ not just conjuring beats but bending genre boundaries.

Lead Singles and Visual Firepower

Before the album’s release, Travis had already begun laying breadcrumbs for his audience. The lead single, “2000 Excursion,” dropped July 8 with Sheck Wes and Don Toliver and immediately lit up streaming charts. Its pounding bass and playful interpolation of Kanye’s “Power” suggested a return to high-octane flexing.

Then came “Dumbo,” a more surrealist piece backed by a Gabriel Moses-directed video filled with broken gravity, glimmering slabs of chrome, and a dreamlike atmosphere. Shot in both L.A. and Lagos, the video feels like a passport between real-world turmoil and a fantasy lane—another Travis signature.

“Kick Out,” the third single, took a more personal turn. Featuring visuals of a purple Lamborghini, strip club neon, and a heartfelt cameo of Stormi and Travis’s grandmother in Houston, the video walked the tightrope between spectacle and sentiment. It landed as the emotional anchor of the project.

A Delicate Diss: Pusha T in the Crosshairs

In typical Travis fashion, Jackboys 2 also stirred up rap intrigue. On “Champain & Vacay,” a seemingly nonchalant vacation anthem, Travis appears to lob a subtle jab at Pusha T:

“Pushin’ tees since I was a teen, now I push islands for scenes.
Some kings wear crowns, some talk from thrones they’ve never seen.”

The bar came just days after Clipse—Pusha’s duo with brother Malice—released a reunion project containing not-so-subtle digs at modern rap stylings. Though Travis never names names, fans quickly decoded the subtext and the internet went ablaze. Whether it escalates into full-fledged beef remains to be seen, but Scott’s approach is calculated—more spellcaster than swordsman.

The Pixel Grip Sample Controversy

No major release comes without controversy, and Jackboys 2 faced its own in the form of a sample dispute. Chicago electronic trio Pixel Grip alleged that their song “Pursuit” was sampled without credit on “Kick Out.” The beat’s producer, Sean Momberger, confirmed the use and insisted clearance was in progress.

While not unusual in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, the situation raises questions about how producers, particularly in major-label compilations, handle sampling ethics. For now, Pixel Grip has gained visibility, and the sample drama has only fueled curiosity around the track.

Genre-Spanning Collaborations and Global Reach

One of Jackboys 2’s strengths is its cultural fusion. South African star Tyla lends airy vocals to the tropical trap ballad “Island Murmur,” while Vybz Kartel shows up (virtually, from prison) on “Yard Politics,” bridging Jamaican dancehall and American rap. Even GloRilla’s gravelly Memphis twang shines on “Lashes & Lead,” a track about feminine power cloaked in firearm metaphors.

This isn’t Travis making “pop” in the traditional sense—it’s genre transmutation. He builds sonic architecture like a DJ in hyperdrive, always one step ahead of what streaming algorithms think fans want.

Merch, Mythology, and Modern Marketing

Never one to leave the story incomplete, Travis also rolled out a new line of Jackboys 2 merchandise featuring “Da Wizard” iconography—pointy hoods, astrological runes, and cloaked figures. Shirts, posters, and zip-up hoodies sold out within hours, with fans speculating whether “Da Wizard” could become a recurring character akin to ASTROWORLD’s clown or UTOPIA’s masked avatars.

The immersive world-building around Jackboys 2 is textbook Travis Scott. He’s not just selling music—he’s selling myth.

Looking Ahead: Travis as Architect

Jackboys 2 cements Travis Scott not just as a performer, but as a creative architect. With each phase of his career, he blends marketing, music, fashion, and world-building into a seamless ecosystem. “Da Wizard,” whether character, concept, or song, represents the next phase of his evolution—one that acknowledges his mastery over chaos and culture alike.

It’s unclear whether Travis will drop a solo album in 2025, but if Jackboys 2 is any indication, he doesn’t need to. He’s already mastered the collaborative format, turning even side projects into headline events.

Conclusion

From the moment “2000 Excursion” hit airwaves to the whispers around “Da Wizard,” Jackboys 2 has sparked a firestorm of buzz, creativity, and controversy. Whether he’s weaving in new sounds, subtle disses, or conceptual identities, Travis Scott is operating on a level few artists can reach.

He isn’t just setting the tone for summer 2025—he’s shaping the sonic landscape for years to come.

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