I Wish it Was a Full Song: My Top Interludes/Intros

Marcus Cortez 

Rap/Hip-hop Journalist  

Interludes and intros have been essential in albums to set the stage for themes and tones or to provide a break between tracks. Whether it is instrumentals, a surprise feature, or skits, interludes and intros give artists a chance to show their range and create laid-back tracks. Here are 10 of my favorite interludes or intros that make me wish they weren’t only a minute or two long.  

“Chapter Six” – Kendrick Lamar  

“Pray that we make it to twenty-one.” A line sung throughout the track continues with the themes of its album, Section.80, living a life while struggling with their environment in Compton under a Reagan administration in America. The song has a hopeful feel to it, which is helped by its beautiful production. “Chapter Six” is a very laid-back track within Kendrick’s discography. 

“Eye” – Madvillian   

With the collaboration of Madlib and MF DOOM, their album Madvillany, is chalked up with skits and songs filled with double and triple entendres. But “Eye” gives a chance to relax as the song is passed to Stacy Epps giving a beautiful performance over Madlib’s production. Along with sampling “So Good” from the 1960’s group The Whispers. The track offers the listener to get lost in the music, like the lyrical themes within it of getting lost in the eyes of another.  

“Gone Interlude” – Ski Mask the Slump God   

This is my personal favorite interlude in hip-hop. Like the title suggests, “Gone Interlude” creates a haunting atmosphere with a spaced-out performance from Ski. While nothing crazy lyrical, the instrumental produced by Wilgun & BeatsCraze carries the track and has one of my favorite beat drops in rap creating a dark yet experimental instrumental.  

“Gotta Get Up Interlude” – Kali Uchis  

One of the standouts from Kali Uchis’s 2018 album Isolation. This interlude paints a clear picture of being in bed seeing the sunshine through the cracks of curtains. Debating on whether you want to start the day or spend it in the comfort of your bed. Kali Uchis gives a smooth vocal performance enhancing the dreamy atmosphere.  

“Inside Outside” – Mac Miller  

The intro track from Mac’s 2014 mixtape Faces has become a more haunting track to go back to following Mac’s death in 2018. The opening line, “I should’ve died already,” and the themes of isolation and substance abuse are more chilling to listen to now since his tragic death. It helps set up the mixtape, which has that dark and experimental sound to it. Also, there is a hidden feature near the end of the track. If you listen closely, you can hear a flute being played entirely off-key, which was one of Mac’s friends playing while they were recording the song. 

“Lord Have Mercy” – ScHoolboy Q  

Produced by Swizz Beats, ScHoolboy Q uses this track to look at the sins within. Asking for forgiveness from a higher power due to the lifestyle he has lived, as heard in lines like “I’m a gangbanger, deadbeat father, and drug dealer. When the money and fame gone, tell me who staying with you.” It is a very vulnerable track from ScHoolboy Q but has a very spiritual sound to it which makes it a memorable track from ScHoolboy’s Blank Face LP.  

“New earlsweatshirt Interlude” – Vince Staples  

This one annoys me the most. Clocking in at only 22 seconds, the interlude has Earl spitting bars over a Kenny Beats instrumental. But next thing you know, it is over before it has a chance to fully start. While it is following Vince Staples theme of his FM concept album, it is a quick tease on the radio. The sneak peek of a great track from Earl makes you want the full version more and more with each listen.  

“NICE!” – JPEGMAFIA  

The hardest interlude I have heard. JPEGMAFIA shows his creativity by sampling a military drill with soldiers in the back chanting. If you need a song recommendation for a workout playlist, this is one of them to add. Despite its short length at only a minute and a half, “NICE!” does what it needs to do, which is get you pumped up for the following tracks after it.  

“No Manners” – Teyana Taylor 

The intro track from K.T.S.E. is one of the five albums released by G.O.O.D. Music’s Summer of 2018 run. It features production by Kanye West and MIKE Dean, with sampling “Love Where Are You Hiding” by The Elgin’s. It has an orchestral sound building as the song goes, setting the scene for the 9-track album.  

“Riot” – Earl Sweatshirt  

One of the ways I would describe this track is as a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Being the closer on Earl’s Some Rap Songs, an album tackling themes of mental illness and depression. It contains an incredibly beautiful trumpet solo originally performed by Earl’s uncle Hugh Masekela, who passed away before the album was released. Despite having no lyrics, it gives a feeling of reassurance and hope, encouraging us to enjoy the little things in life and to be optimistic about the future.”