Heartbreak is often the main ingredient in an artist’s best offering. Or drugs. The palate of Future in 2015 heavily relied on both, along with nightmares, demons, and addictions. This is depressing stuff, but it’s easy to miss it under the guise of trap production he effortlessly raps and croons over, turning false braggadocio and cries out for help into strip club anthems and daily commute turn-ups. What a time, indeed.

Can I write for Pitchfork now?

Anyways, in celebration of Future’s triumphant year, which spanned two mixtapes, two albums, and two SoundCloud loosies, including a song coincidentally titled March Madness, I decided to rank his 2015 output NCAA tournament-style, with 64 (technically 60) songs battling head-to-head for the #1 spot. I’m including his late-2014 mixtape Monster on this as well, because I want to and needed to anyway for this to work.

I’ve listened to every single one of these songs 25+ times, have a grasp on their cultural impact, and I was Future for Halloween this year, so I think I have the credentials to create this all on my own. Initially, I had ranked his songs from best to worst in a list with no write-ups, but that would have been boring, so I’m glad this idea came to me at the very last minute. I don’t know how I didn’t think of this sooner, and I’m shocked another writer or blog hasn’t beaten me to it, unless they’re waiting to release it in March. Either way, this was an absolute blast to work on, so hopefully it will be just as entertaining to read no matter how much of a Future fan you are.

If you’re wondering how I came up with the regions and seedings, for the regions I evaluated each album and realized that Monster and DS2 both have 15 songs, so that’s two regions right there with a bye at the 16th seed. 56 Nights and Beast Mode both have 9 songs, What A Time to Be Alive has 10 songs, and he released two non-album loosies on SoundCloud, so I split 56 Nights into 4 songs and 5 songs, and created two regions: Beast Mode/half of 56 Nights/loosie and WATTBA/other half of 56 Nights/loosie. I came up with this quickly, but I think it’s a fair system.

For the seedings, I ranked WATTBA and DS2 based on the number of Spotify plays each song had, and Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights based on SoundCloud plays. I then gave the two loosies the 8 seed and the two skits the 15 seed. Considering that I had ranked these songs prior to making the bracket, I wanted to have zero personal influence on the seeding, and I think this method worked to prevent that. It’s practically a fan vote tally. The winner of each matchup, on the other hand, are 100 percent my own choice, but it becomes interesting in that songs that I had ranked in the top ten could be potentially knocked out of the first or second round if they got a rough draw, and songs I had ranked much lower could advance further than anticipated, just like in the real March Madness.

Also, I have to give a quick shout out to Rembert Browne. His Hovafest 2011 article, a bracket to determine the best Jay-Z song of all-time, was a huge influence on how I developed and formatted this.

With all that said, let’s begin round one. Also, for those of you playing at home who want to fill out your own version of the bracket to compare as you read along, here you go. PLEASE send me your bracket if you actually do this.

FIRST ROUND

Monster Region

Fuck Up Some Commas (1) vs. BYE (16)

Fuck Up Some Commas doesn’t get a chance to fuck up some brackets in round one.

Hardly (8) vs. Mad Luv (9)

The first real matchup and already a tough one. Both are quality Monster cuts, but Hardly advances on the strength of its second verse.

Throw Away (5) vs. Radical (12)

Another tough one, but in this region I can probably say that for every matchup. The beat and Future’s mumbled flow on Radical is almost enough to give it the upset, but the bipolarity and subject matter of Throw Away wills it into the second round. I was thrilled to find that “bipolarity” is an actual word.

After That (4) vs. Wesley Presley (13)

Actually, this is a shit matchup. These are the two worst Monster tracks. I don’t think either of these deserve to advance to the second round, but I’m going with Wesley Presley thanks to possibly Metro Boomin’s most abrasive instrumental ever.

2Pac (6) vs. Gangland (11)

2Pac is one of Future’s most hype tracks, and Gangland, while enjoyable, is nothing noteworthy, so this was an easy choice. Yelling out a perfectly timed “THUG LIFE!” along with Future near the end of 2Pac is a very satisfying experience. Also, it was produced by Nard & B, and B of Nard & B follows me on Twitter for some reason, so his beat advances for that reason alone.

My Savages (3) vs. Showed Up (14)

Showed Up is a criminally underrated Future song. The fact that it’s the least listened to song on the Monster SoundCloud playlist (if you ignore the skit) by a sizable amount makes zero sense to me. My Savages has some great verses, but the instrumental is probably the worst on the tape. Once you notice the “hiss” sound it’s all you’ll ever pay attention to. Showed Up is advancing as my Cinderella pick.

Monster (7) vs. Fetti (10)

When the Monster tape dropped I found myself listening to one song over and over on repeat: Monster. It was the flute. I was hypnotized by that damn flute for months, but after a while the hypnosis wore off and I started venturing out into the other tracks. Fetti immediately became a standout and has remained one ever since. Fetti moves on, but like the vuvuzela at the 2010 World Cup, the Monster flute will live in infamy.

Codeine Crazy (2) vs. Abu’s Boomin (15)

Abu’s Boomin is an annoying skit. I skip it every time. This might as well be a bye for Codeine Crazy.

Dirty Sprite Region

Where Ya At (1) vs. BYE (16)

“Where ya at?” said Future to this round’s competition. This is so much worse than the Commas one I’m sorry.

Kno The Meaning (8) vs. Slave Master (9)

I’m not big on either of these songs, so I guess it’s the perfect 8/9 matchup. Kno The Meaning chronicles Future’s huge year, which is what we’re celebrating here, so I’ll let it advance.

I Serve The Base (5) vs. Lil One (12)

I thought I Serve The Base was amazing the first time I heard it, but the harsh instrumental quickly lost its novelty after multiple listens. Lil One has that #bounce, plus that little “Trap or Die” sound sprinkled in. It wins.

Blow A Bag (4) vs. Groupies (13)

Groupies is a fucking brutal track sonically, paying no mind to its subject matter. This is the type of song you feel uncomfortable playing around most other humans you know. Blow A Bag, while good, is fairly generic by Future standards. It’s that mid-tier Big East team that sneaks into the tourney with a higher seed than they deserve because they played ranked teams all year. The groupies sitting courtside advance to the next round.

Rich $ex (6) vs. The Percocet & Stripper Joint (11)

The Rich $ex music video is the only content Future released this year that had me say “nah, I’m good”. I can’t support that song now. Stripper Joint moves on.

Stick Talk (3) vs. Blood on the Money (14)

I love the 14 seeds on this bracket. Blood on the Money is another underrated track, and probably his most obviously bleak, which explains the low play count on Spotify. This is headphone Future. Stick Talk is the complete opposite, but we have more than enough bangers advancing here. Introspective Future hits its free throws for the W.

Freak Hoe (7) vs. Rotation (10)

I’ll give Rotation props for a timely Cam Newton line, but that’s where it stops. The “Titanic on my wrist, bad bitch on my dick/Did a donut in the 6, I just drove by Magic City” line from Freak Hoe is the greatest Future verse opener. I can’t even imagine how crazy Magic City gets when DJ Esco spins that. It also gets bonus points for being a sort-of remake of an old No Limit song.

Thought It Was a Drought (2) vs. Colossal (15)

Thought It Was a Drought is a one-line song, and that line’s meme-ability is why it’s seeded so high. The rest of the song is very average. Colossal has some classic Zaytoven piano keys on an album that, by the time it comes on, sorely needs them. Despite what else you can accomplish in them, you can’t play ball in some Gucci flip-flops. This upset colossal.

56 Beasts Region

March Madness (1) vs. BYE (16)

March Madness marches on to the next round.

Last Breath (8) vs. Where I Came From (9)

Where I Came From is a cool nod to Future’s past, but Last Breath celebrates the success that allowed him to leave that same past behind. The latter was also made for the Creed soundtrack, and I don’t think anyone has ever said a bad thing about that film. Last Breath wins by KO.

Purple Coming In (5) vs. Forever Eva (12)

This matchup is like Actavis vs. Qualitest. What I’m trying to say, using a comparison that I personally know nothing about, is that Purple Coming In is better and going to the next round.

Lay Up (4) vs. No Basic (13)

Beast Mode is the worst of the five Future projects, so there was bound to be a dud matchup or two in this region. Here’s one of them. These songs are similar in subject – both are essentially saying “all of this extravagant shit I do is very normal to me” – but No Basic has a cool piano part and Lay Up does not.

Peacoat (6) vs. Oooooh (11)

Oooooh is the most ridiculous Future song. I played it around friends once and someone asked “…is Future okay?” I love the song but he kind of had a point. Peacoat is now infamous for being in this video which is a very culturally relevant thing going on right now. Peacoat hits the dab on its way to the second round.

56 Nights (3) vs. Aintchu (14)

56 Nights is the worst track on 56 Nights. The only reason it’s a 3 seed is because it comes on after the most popular song on the tape. Aintchu is basically a remake of the classic Juvenile song Ha and even has a great 2015 Juvenile verse. How does this have the least plays on Beast Mode? Another 14 seed moves on.

Now (7) vs. Just Like Bruddas (10)

Easily the toughest matchup of this region. Both are high mid-tier Future tracks with awesome, yet very different instrumentals. Now would win against most other opponents, but it had the unfortunate draw of being matched up against a song with SO MUCH PIANO. Piano is clearly the x-factor of the tournament. If this was the real March Madness, every team would chase the trend and come equipped with a “piano guy” next year.

Real Sisters (2) vs. Free At Last (15)

A top Future song against another skit. They could be fake sisters and it would still advance.

What A Night Region

Trap N***** (1) vs. BYE (16)

I’m going to refer to this song as simply Trap from here on out.

News or Somthn (8) vs. Digital Dash (9)

Tough one. It took me a while to remember the way “something” was spelled on News or Somthn. Apparently Future was asked via text message what he wanted his new song to be called. He replied “idk call it news or somthn” and that became the end result. I made that up but it’s probably true. On the other side, I still don’t really know what exactly doing a Digital Dash is. Somthn wins.

Diamonds from Africa (5) vs. I’m The Plug (12)

Diamonds from Africa is an underrated cut from 56 Nights, but I’m The Plug wins because it features the greatest hi-hat roll patterns of all-time. I imagine Metro Boomin’ working late into the night, eyes twitching, with his FL Studio piano roll zoomed all the way in, slicing and sequencing his hi-hats with a surgeon’s precision. In reality he probably made it in two minutes.

Big Rings (4) vs. Plastic Bag (13)

Plastic Bag is the worst song Future (and Drake) released this year. It’s boring as hell, and both artists sound half-asleep on it. Big Rings is quite the opposite, with its obnoxious hook and bombastic instrumental. It’s not the best song, but Big Rings definitely has the winning mindset needed to advance.

Diamonds Dancing (6) vs. Live From The Gutter (11)

Diamonds Dancing doesn’t even have to take its jewelry off for this one – it’s probably the best collaborative effort between Future and Drake on WATTBA. Live From The Gutter, while good, is mostly forgettable.

Never Gon Lose (3) vs. Change Locations (14)

Change Locations is another WATTBA snoozefest, not to mention the “me and my friends we got money to spend” line is such a forced attempt at creating a lyric that teenagers will tweet. It probably would have been my AIM away message if it came out in 2003. Never Gon Lose (obviously) wins.

No Compadre (7) vs. Scholarships (10)

Close one. No Compadre has nasty 808s and that cool siren sound (not to be confused with the Kill Bill siren), while Scholarships has Drake going “Kentucky Blue on these hoes”. No Compadre isn’t Robert Morris, so Kentucky is going to advance here.

Jumpman (2) vs. Jersey (15)

Thanks to Jersey you’ll be seeing “you do what you want when you poppin’” on Instagram captions for years to come. Thanks to Jumpman you’ll be seeing Metro Boomin’ on production for years to come. I think the latter brings us towards a brighter future.

SECOND ROUND

Monster Region

Fuck Up Some Commas (1) vs. Hardly (8)

Commas is not one of my personal favorites, but it is arguably the reason why this bracket even exists. Hardly can’t top that.

Throw Away (5) vs. Wesley Presley (13)

Throw Away is damn near a (very misogynistic) study on the male condition, while Wesley Presley doesn’t even belong here. Wesley P’s upset run is over.

2Pac (6) vs. Showed Up (14)

Two of my favorite deep cuts from Monster. Sorry B of Nard & B, but Future’s flow on the second verse of Showed Up is fucking perfect – it’s hype as hell and a showcase on how to let a beat breathe. Showed Up is going to the Sweet Sixteen in glass slippers.

Fetti (10) vs. Codeine Crazy (2)

You know how certain lyrics always tend to pop up in your head? “AND YOU GON MAKE ME GO AND GET THE CARBON” from Fetti is one of those for me. Unfortunately for Fetti, Codeine Crazy is wearing a purple-colored bulletproof vest. If you haven’t yet, please watch the Codeine Crazy music video and allow it to take you into another dimension.

Dirty Sprite Region

Where Ya At (1) vs. Kno the Meaning (8)

Drake and Future collaborations have historically been hit or miss, and Where Ya At is a half court heave that just rims out of the basket. It should be and wants to be a great song but it just falls short, mainly because the lyrics are too repetitive. And that music video… oh man. Future has been pumping out videos for multiple songs per project, so they are understandably low-budget, but the special effects on this video are so amateur and corny, especially the scene with Drake looking out the window. Drake had bailed on the filming of the Tony Montana music video a few years ago so he probably feels obligated to never do that to Future again. He should have saved his absence for this one.

Kno the Meaning is interesting because the hard drives containing Future’s music are still somewhat of a mystery as far as I know. Did Esco get the hard drives back when he got out of prison? If so, have any of those songs been released? If not, was anything re-recorded? Who knows what gems were stored on that hard drive if it was enough for Future to say losing them “took (his) life away.” Down goes the 1 seed.

Lil One (12) vs. Groupies (13)

This is a matchup of two types of people that cater to Future in completely different ways. The concept surrounding Lil One is a recurring theme: this ubiquitous character, presumably a lower-ranking associate of our narrator, will “have you smelling like some sardines” (Showed Up) after “taking you out for some Jordans” (March Madness) if you mess with Future. Groupies are more self-explanatory. Which one did Future need more in 2015? After the Ciara break-up, I’d say groupies.

The Percocet & Stripper Joint (11) vs. Blood on the Money (14)

Future’s darkest songs lyrically are often masked by the production – you can’t tell how dark and troubling they can be until you listen closely- but Blood on the Money makes no such attempt to hide it. By the time he says “I know the devil is real” you don’t even question it. Stripper Joint is smooth but mostly forgettable. The devil lives on.

Freak Hoe (7) vs. Colossal (15)

Looking back, Colossal over Thought it was a Drought was a huge upset. Most people probably disagree with that pick. Most people probably can’t bounce their ass and make their knees touch their elbows, either. Most people would pick Freak Hoes over Colossal despite that fact. Most people and I agree.

56 Beasts Region

March Madness (1) vs. Last Breath (8)

CREED SPOILERS AHEAD: Last Breath, like Adonis Creed, won its first match with ease, but now it’s going up against one of the best. It put up a good fight and may have won our hearts thanks to Rocky, but ultimately March Madness is the winner by decision.

Purple Coming In (5) vs. No Basic (13)

Brutal matchup, but Future just absolutely glides over the second verse of Purple Coming In. GLIDES. You don’t even realize how minimalistic the beat is because his voice commands all your attention. No Basic and its piano keys are going home.

Peacoat (6) vs. Aintchu (14)

I was drawing a blank on what to write about for this matchup, so I looked up the lyrics to both tracks on RapGenius for potential insight and I found this annotation:

“Future got himself an expensive ass pea coat from Burberry (and Hermes? Doing too much!). Also take note of the possible subtle food wordplay: Peacoat, Burberry, fo’s aww man”

Real fucking insightful. I’m putting Peacoat in the Sweet Sixteen out of pity after seeing that.

Just Like Bruddas (10) vs. Real Sisters (2)

BROTHERS VS. SISTERS. I swear I didn’t line things up for this to happen. Anyways, I’m going with Real Sisters here because 1) it’s a better song and 2) this video. That clip from LSU’s gym convinced me that the world needs a chain of workout gyms that specialize in playing Future at all times. Where they serve purple protein shakes out of double cups. Where every day is trap day. Where it doesn’t matter if they’re real sisters. A real-life Future Hive. This is a terrible idea.

What A Night Region

Trap (1) vs. News or Somthn (8)

I wonder when the verses on News or Somthn were recorded, because the first verse has the flow Future often used on his 2012 debut album, Pluto. It’s an awesome throwaway track, but it can’t hold a candle to Trap, which has arguably the best hook of any song he released this year.

I’m The Plug (12) vs. Big Rings (4)

Big Rings is like that CYO basketball team who had the freshest warm-up gear, matching sneakers, new jerseys, etc. but once the game started it immediately became apparent that they aren’t any good at playing basketball. The last 35 seconds of I’m The Plug might honestly be my favorite part of WATTBA. Those damn hi-hats are bouncing into the Sweet Sixteen.

Diamonds Dancing (6) vs. Never Gon Lose (3)

This is best matchup of the tournament so far. Diamonds Dancing features one of Metro’s most infectious synth pad melodies, and Allen Ritter hops on to create a spacious atmosphere similar to his work on Travis Scott’s 3500. It’s probably the most sonically complex instrumental Future has ever rapped over, and he more than holds his own on it. Never Gon Lose, on the other hand, has a minimalistic beat by Southside, not much different than Purple Coming In, but Future takes over with one lengthy verse that sets the tone for the rest of 56 Nights. Never Gon Lose is (somehow) gonna lose, but this is a matchup where everyone wins for having experienced it.

Scholarships (10) vs. Jumpman (2)

The kick drums that hit in the middle of Future’s verse on Jumpman sound like the dribbling of a basketball. It’s like the “quick crossover into a fadeaway jumper” move in 808 form. This is serious RapGenius-level reaching on my part but I noticed it the first time I heard the song and haven’t been able to stop envisioning it. Jumpman hits those fadeaway jumpers and advances.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Monster Region

Fuck Up Some Commas (1) vs. Throw Away (5)

While dating Ciara, Future’s music became noticeably more radio-friendly. He hopped on tracks with Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus for christ’s sake. After the breakup, Future took his music back to its ATL roots, with Monster cut Fuck Up Some Commas blowing up in the streets, and eventually turning into a radio hit organically. This was the jumpstart to Future’s 2015 takeover. The #FutureHive, the memes, the ~126,000 albums DS2 sold in the first week (10th highest of all hip-hop albums this year), they are all thanks to Commas. That being said, Throw Away best illustrates how that breakup caused Future to channel his emotions and use it as energy to revitalize his career. As a result, his fame has never been higher, and his music has never been better. This bracket doesn’t exist without Commas, but Commas doesn’t exist without Throw Away.

Showed Up (14) vs. Codeine Crazy (2)

If you’re a Future fan, you know that Showed Up’s Cinderella run ends here. I don’t even need to provide an explanation.

Dirty Sprite Region

Kno The Meaning (8) vs. Groupies (13)

DS2 is a weird album in that it has so many very good songs, but none of them reach greatness. It’s the most 8.0 out of 10 album ever. Everyone has different favorites off it, which explains why the 7, 8, 13, and 14 seeds are what still remain in this region. Anyways, after knocking out the 1 seed Where Ya At, Kno the Meaning shows up limp in its matchup against Groupies. Groupies is so influential that Freddie Gibbs, elite rapper and co-creator of my favorite album of 2014, Piñata, called up frequent Future producer Tarentino and basically made his own version of the song. Just like in real life, Groupies is becoming difficult to get rid of.

Blood on the Money (14) vs. Freak Hoe (7)

Freak Hoe will forever live on as an ATL strip club anthem, but Blood on the Money is the better song, and a subtle cry for help. Despite telling you that he’s “finally in the mood to fuck your bitch on the beach” and “lives so high in the Hills”, Future can’t quit drinking lean. It’s a problem, and everything he raps about is just a distraction from that fact. He asks us “you see how things changed?”, but with his past and addictions still haunting him, we’re left to question if anything changed at all.

56 Beasts Region

March Madness (1) vs. Purple Coming In (5)

Watch this right now. That is a marching band performing March Madness in the Georgia Dome. I don’t think Purple Coming In is on their set list.

Peacoat (6) vs. Real Sisters (2)

Real Sisters has that #bounce, and in terms of quality, editing and story-telling, it probably has the best music video Future released this year. Peacoat doesn’t have that #bounce, and it doesn’t have a music video, so that’s not really fair but oh well.

What A Night Region

Trap (1) vs. I’m The Plug (12)

After riding the coattails of Metro’s hi-hats into the Sweet Sixteen, I’m The Plug is like that mid-major team with one really good player. He can shock an unsuspecting team and win you a tourney game or two, but once a good team gameplans against him, it’s over. The full court Trap is too much for I’m The Plug and its hi-hats.

Diamonds Dancing (6) vs. Jumpman (2)

The DJs at the bars/clubs I go to will usually play EDM, Top 40, “safe” hip-hop songs, or a blend of all three, so as a result I rarely hear Future when I go out. One person I’ll hear every night though is Drake. So when the Future/Drake collaboration was announced, one of the first things I thought was “YES! I’ll finally hear Future when I go out!” just by the Drake association alone. I was right, and the song that they play every time is Jumpman. For allowing me to hear Future while out drunk at 1AM, as a show of gratitude I am advancing Jumpman to the Elite Eight.

ELITE EIGHT

Monster Region

Throw Away (5) vs. Codeine Crazy (2)

This is where I start to lose hairs. These are two perfect, top 3 Future songs, and I have to to decide which one is better? Both showcase Nayvadius at his most personal and vulnerable – when it’s obvious that his constant braggadocio is a front to mask his true pain and emotion. Both are examples of “laying it all out on record”. Ask any Future fan and he’ll list these as favorites.

With all that said, I’m picking Codeine Crazy. The song sounds like it’s drowning in a whirlpool of purple drank. It’s more of a “listening experience” than any other Future song. Throw Away deserved a Final Four bid, but it can take pride in knowing it put up a valiant effort against one of the greats.

Dirty Sprite Region

Groupies (13) vs. Blood on the Money (14)

The matchup everyone expected. I’m not quite sure how Groupies got this far. The instrumental is too jarring, the lyrics are brazenly misogynistic, and most importantly I have it ranked as only the 21st best Future song. Blood on the Money is a much better song for reasons I’ve already explained, so the lucky run of easy matchups for Groupies will finally end here.

56 Beasts Region

March Madness (1) vs. Real Sisters (2)

Future’s lyrics almost always gravitate towards himself – the luxury brand on his wrist, the foreign car he pulled up in, the dope he moved, the lean in his double cup, etc. March Madness slightly deviates from this by including a rare tidbit of social commentary: “Ballin’ like the March Madness/All these cops shooting n*****, tragic”. He doesn’t touch upon this any further, because he doesn’t need to. This is what Future does – his verses, when dissected and separated line by line, are a collection of unrelated, yet poignant statements. He’s mastered the concept of saying more with less, stating rather than explaining. Kendrick Lamar made an album, Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote a book. Future says two lines and then hops in the Wraith.

What A Night Region

Trap (1) vs. Jumpman (2)

These are two of Future’s biggest turn up songs, but Trap gets the nod here because it’s not even trying to be one. Future brings more energy to the verses than the hook, and the beat by Southside sits firmly in the background. It’s a crowd-pleaser because it’s a “get money” anthem for everyone, told by Future in the only way he knows how. God blessin’.

FINAL FOUR

Only four songs remain – two from 56 Nights, one from DS2 (two if you count Trap as a deluxe bonus track), and one from Monster. I’m glad to say that all four of these are top-tier Future tracks that absolutely belong here. Let’s begin.

Codeine Crazy (2) vs. March Madness (1)

This matchup is like Duke vs. UNLV in 1991. The winner will go on and win the entire tournament, but this right here is the real championship. March Madness defeats every song on the bracket except this one. Codeine Crazy wins simply because it’s the quintessential Future song. If asked “which song best represents Future as an artist?” the answer is Codeine Crazy. If asked “which Future song has the greatest music video?” the answer is Codeine Crazy. If asked “which Future song will make you both terrified of and intrigued by lean at the same time?” …. you get the point. I pretty much spoiled the rest of the tournament with this write-up, but if you’re a Future fan then you already knew the winner of this matchup was all that mattered anyway.

Blood on the Money (14) vs. Trap (1)

This is a battle to determine who will get eaten alive in the championship, so I’ll keep it short. Trap is an anthemic, casual fan favorite, and a (very slight) case could be made that it should win the entire tournament. Blood on the Money is an excellent song, a worthy Final Four participant, but nobody would vote it #1. I wouldn’t even entertain an argument for it. Because of this, Trap is advancing to the championship.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Codeine Crazy (2) vs. Trap (1)

The hardcore fan favorite vs. the casual fan favorite. One shows our protagonist’s outward appearance as a motivational, living testament to the streets. The other shows when he comes home and feels the effects of his addiction and pain, hidden behind closed doors. It’s a fitting end to the tournament, but there’s really no suspense as to who the winner is here. Codeine Crazy is going home with the trophy not only as the greatest Future song on this bracket, but of all-time.

Winner: Codeine Crazy

And that’s it, folks. I’ve written more words here than on any paper I had to write in college (this is a fact, I checked), so if you read this post in its entirety, THANK YOU. Like I said from the jump, please reach out if you want to argue over picks, share your own bracket, etc.

Future, if this post somehow reaches you, thanks for putting out incredible music the past few years. I’ll see you on Feb 27.

-Mark