For years, “Days Before Rodeo” existed as a phantom on the fringes of the digital world.
The mixtape, released in 2014, was a crucial chapter in Travis Scott’s ascent, but it was frustratingly out of reach for many.
Fans revered it as a cult classic, passed around like a secret treasure among those who had been there from the start.
And at the heart of this mixtape was “The Prayer,” a track that quickly became a legend in its own right—both for its intense, almost spiritual energy and for the mystique that surrounded its inaccessibility.
When “Days Before Rodeo” finally landed on streaming platforms in 2024, it wasn’t just a re-release; it was a revival, a moment when the past was brought into the present with all its power intact.
Travis Scott’s Early Trajectory: The Rise Before the Rodeo
Travis Scott’s story in the early 2010s was one of relentless ambition and ceaseless innovation.
After the release of his debut project, “Owl Pharaoh,” in 2013, Scott was already carving out a niche for himself—a space where Southern hip-hop collided with psychedelic, space-age beats.
But it was with “Days Before Rodeo” that he truly hit his stride, creating a mixtape that was more than just a collection of tracks; it was a fully-formed vision.
“The Prayer” wasn’t just the opening track; it was a statement of intent, a bold declaration that Scott was here to reshape the soundscape of hip-hop.
This period in Scott’s career was marked by a creative intensity that’s palpable in every note of “The Prayer.”
The track feels like the product of a mind working overtime, blending influences and ideas in ways that shouldn’t work but somehow do.
It’s chaotic yet controlled, raw yet refined—a perfect encapsulation of the artistic identity that Scott was beginning to forge.
The Making of “The Prayer”: A Sonic Cathedral
The production of “The Prayer” by Travis Scott, WondaGurl, and the legendary Mike Dean, immediately pulls you into its world with an eerie organ riff that feels like it’s echoing through the halls of a dark, abandoned cathedral.
This organ, sampled from Philip Glass’s “Music Box (Opening Theme),” sets the tone for the entire track, imbuing it with a sense of ominous grandeur that’s both unsettling and magnetic.
WondaGurl’s production work on this track is particularly noteworthy.
Known for her ability to create beats that hit hard while maintaining a sense of space and depth, she laid down a foundation that allowed Scott and Dean to build a sonic landscape that’s as expansive as it is intense.
The booming bass, the sharp percussion, the layers of synths that swirl around like a storm gathering strength—all of it comes together to create a soundscape that feels both grounded and otherworldly.
Unpacking the Lyrics: A Sermon for the Restless
Lyrically, “The Prayer” is a complex blend of introspection and bravado, a sermon for the restless souls caught in the liminal space between ambition and despair.
The track opens with Travis Scott’s rapid-fire delivery: “Midnight awakin’, hyperventilatin’ / Drunk laps, runnin’ ’round the globe, wild goose chasin’.”
It’s a vivid depiction of the frantic, sleepless nights that come with the pursuit of greatness—a pursuit that, for Scott, is as much a curse as it is a blessing.
The chorus, where Scott repeatedly calls out to “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” serves as a stark contrast to the verses, which are filled with images of excess and indulgence.
It’s a cry for help, a moment of vulnerability that cuts through the bravado like a knife.
This religious imagery isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a reflection of Scott’s internal struggle, a search for meaning in a world that often feels meaningless.
As the track progresses, Scott delves deeper into his psyche, revealing the toll that fame and success have taken on him.
Lines like “Man, I might fuck ’round, lose my mind, I gotta break out” capture the sense of being trapped, not just by the pressures of the industry, but by his own expectations and desires.
It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a mind that’s constantly racing, constantly searching for something more.
Experiencing “The Prayer” in 2024: A Timeless Echo
Listening to “The Prayer” in 2024 is like stepping into a time capsule that’s somehow still connected to the present.
The track, once a rare gem that only the most dedicated fans could access, is now available to anyone with a streaming subscription.
But the ease of access hasn’t diluted its impact; if anything, it has amplified it.
The sound of “The Prayer” feels just as urgent, just as raw, as it did a decade ago—proof that some music is truly timeless.
As you listen, you can almost feel the echoes of 2014 reverberating through the track, merging with the present in a way that’s both nostalgic and immediate.
There’s a sense that this isn’t just a song from the past; it’s a living, breathing piece of art that continues to evolve with each listen.
The themes of restlessness and existential angst that run through “The Prayer” are as relevant now as they were then, resonating with a new generation of listeners who are grappling with their own struggles in an increasingly chaotic world.
The Definitive Edition: A Cornerstone of Travis Scott’s Legacy
With the re-release of “Days Before Rodeo,” “The Prayer” has found its rightful place as a cornerstone of Travis Scott’s legacy.
The mixtape, once a coveted artefact in the underground, has been reintroduced to the world in a way that feels both celebratory and reverent.
This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about recognising the foundational role that “The Prayer” and the rest of the mixtape played in shaping the sound of modern hip-hop.
For long-time fans, the re-release is a chance to revisit the track that helped define Travis Scott’s early career, a track that still holds up as one of his most powerful and innovative works.
For new listeners, it’s an opportunity to experience the raw energy and unfiltered creativity that made Scott a force to be reckoned with in the first place.
Reflecting on “The Prayer” within the context of “Days Before Rodeo,” it’s evident that this track marked a pivotal moment in Travis Scott’s journey.
Whether you’ve been with him from the start or are just now diving into his work, “The Prayer” stands as a dark, haunting piece that still echoes with the raw energy and ambition of his early days.
It’s a reminder of where Travis Scott’s path began and the creative risks that have defined his evolution.
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Travis Scott Days Before Rodeo: The Prayer Lyrics
Verse 1
Midnight awakin’, hyperventilatin’
Drunk laps, runnin’ ’round the globe, wild goose chasin’
After three number-one albums, woulda thought I’d feel amazin’
Still impatient, still sippin’ on liquor
Still rollin’ up Swishers
Now it’s Bimmers double parking, fuck payin’ the meter
In your club, on your couches, got paid to be here
On your girl, rubbin’ on my favorite features
How could they tease us? Only wanted Ben Franklins and Mona Lisas
Chorus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Man, I might fuck ’round, lose my mind, I gotta break out
I’m on a stakeout, on a farm or your lake house
Verse 2
Around 3 AM, dog
I was gettin’ busy in the bathroom stall
Bad mamacita, Miami Heat her, put her in a two-seater
Too bad I couldn’t three-peat her
Need a whole lotta vida ‘fore I see the reaper
House full of snow bunnies, puttin’ trees up like it’s Christmas Easter
With more stamps than a skinny nigga, got tats on my visa
I know the kids in La Flame, they don’t trust, they believe it, I mean
Chorus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Man, I might fuck ’round, lose my mind, I gotta break out
I’m on a stakeout, on a farm or your lake house
Jesus, Jesus (I mean), Jesus, Jesus
Man, I might fuck ’round, lose my mind, I gotta break out
I’m on a stakeout, on a farm or your lake house
Outro
Jesus, Jesus (I mean), Jesus, Jesus
I might fuck ’round, lose my mind
Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus
