Before Miley Cyrus’ R&B turn on the instantly infamous “We Can’t Stop,” there was a snippet of “23” — a Mike Will Made It-produced track featuring bonafide rappers Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J. Powered by a pinging beat that is far from Mike Will’s best work, the full song is an ode to Jordans — the basketball player’s iconic shoe line more commonly referred to as J’s — and though it isn’t particularly great there are a few things to note:
For one, the chorus features Cyrus’ first direct drug reference. “We Can’t Stop” slyly referenced MDMA and coke — the first by blending “Miley” and “molly,” the second with “trying to get a line in the bathroom” — but Miley’s “23” chorus is much more blatant: “I’m in the club high off purp, with some shades on.” Not scandalous or surprising by any means, but the success of “We Can’t Stop” means the track’s tip-toe coyness can be left behind. Secondly: She raps! Not very well, mind you — if anything she sounds almost exactly like Riff Raff flack Lil Debbie.
Miley will almost certainly be rapping more on her upcoming album Bangerz, which is out October 8 and now has a track list that features Britney Spears, Future, Big Sean, Nelly, and French Montana.
Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz track list:
1. “Adore You”
2. “We Can’t Stop”
3. “SMS (Bangerz)” (feat. Britney Spears)
4. “4×4” (feat. Nelly)
5. “My Darlin’” (feat. Future)
6. “Wrecking Ball”
7. “Love, Money, Party” (feat. Big Sean)
8. “Get It Right”
9. “Drive”
10. “FU” (feat. French Montana)
11. “Do My Thang”
12. “Maybe You’re Right”
13. “Someone Else”
