If you thought hip-hop was only focused around trap beats and 808s, think again because talented Black musicians are sharing their takes of Future’s newest single with the viral “Mask Off Challenge.”
“Mask Off” is from Future’s self-titled album, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, and samples Tommy Butler’s 1976 song, “Prison Song.” The flute portion of Future’s single, largely consisting of the rapper repeating “Percocets, Molly, Percocets,” spurred dozens of musicians to issue their own interpretations.
Some replaced the flute with strings, resulting in a more classical sound and some unique improvisations.
Just did the #maskoffchallenge 🤘🏽@TheShadeRoom #classicalbae @1future #future #maskoff pic.twitter.com/fgO2fgva0z
— Ezinma (@iamezinma) April 4, 2017
#Haitian cellist @wizclereefa murdered #MaskOffChallenge @futureplc shared her video on Facebook & said "I think this might be the one" 🇭🇹 pic.twitter.com/YB6fLKqSPQ
— Lunionsuite 🇭🇹 (@LunionSuite) April 3, 2017
Here it is #maskoffchallenge! Let me know what y'all think!@future #maskoffchallenge#TRayTheViolinist #future #violinist #hiphop #nola #atl pic.twitter.com/bcuz4xAaF9
— T-Ray The Violinist (@TRayViolinist) April 5, 2017
Y'all have to check out my God sister playing the violin to "Mask Off" #maskoffchallenge @ShoMeStringz pic.twitter.com/1JIZtfqCNP
— 💛🖤 (@beeeFABB) March 30, 2017
Others had a jazzier take.
Best one yet ✊🏽 #MaskOffChallenge https://t.co/YkLibaqynt
— 〽️ (@HeStillCold) April 3, 2017
#maskoffchallenge mikey going crazy for the TL real quick pic.twitter.com/RkshFgNypO
— Geelewie 🪡 (@geezlewie) April 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tony_Amani/status/849114453857665024
The “Mask Off Challenge” even got some love from the steelpan.
https://twitter.com/dnaidan/status/849421199436382209
Some opted to keep the original instrumentation of “Mask Off” and showed off their flute playing skills.
https://twitter.com/morefrommay/status/847953789202161664
https://twitter.com/Sleazy_WaltP/status/846907371742007296
https://twitter.com/_blackDICE/status/847129159491096579
Not all versions included hand-held instruments. One innovative person decided to let his vocals take over the entire song.
Watching this EVERY morning RT @jyndonce: this wins. THIS WINS. #MaskOffChallenge pic.twitter.com/bHRoDYStuH
— Low (@LowKeyUHTN) April 5, 2017
The clips led many Twitter users to applaud the “Mask Off Challenge” participants.
#maskoffchallenge dope
— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) April 6, 2017
#maskoffchallenge is lit! 🔥🎼
— Richard Hendrix (@rhendrix35) April 6, 2017
If you ain't know black ppl were the shit check out the #maskoffchallenge.
— 🌔moonflower🌺 (@groovyybaby) April 6, 2017
