Off the Grid (song)


"Off the Grid" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda. The song features vocals from Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign, with choir vocals performed by opera singer Justin Austin. It was released to US urban contemporary radio stations as the album's fourth single on November 30, 2021.

Background and recording

On July 18, 2020, West announced Donda on his Twitter and posted a track listing that had "Off the Grid" on it.
In December, it was revealed that West was recording and executive producing for Playboi Carti's album Whole Lotta Red, which released on December 25. Playboi Carti recorded his verse for "Off the Grid" during these sessions. A snippet of Playboi Carti's part leaked after West played the song on his speakers during his stay at a hotel in Belgium in December. The collaboration with Fivio Foreign came together after West asked Fivio Foreign to come to Mercedes Benz Stadium on the night before the August 5 listening party. Talking about the collaboration, Fivio Foreign recalled:
The song was first officially previewed at the August 5 listening party at Mercedes Benz Stadium. It was previewed again in Soldier Field on August 26, with an added verse from West at the end.

Reception

The song received positive reviews from critics and fans, who widely considered it to be one of the best songs from the album. The track was named the best song of 2021 by Complex. Matthew Ritchie on Pitchfork reviewed the song with a positive outcome, especially praising Fivio Foreign's vocals. Rob Harvilla on The Ringer Described the song as "an impressively claustrophobic Brooklyn drill excursion".

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.
  • Kanye West – production, vocals
  • Playboi Carti – vocals
  • Fivio Foreign – vocals
  • 30 Roc – production
  • AyoAA – production
  • Ojivolta – production
  • David & Eli – co-production
  • Sloane – additional production
  • Irko – mastering, mixing
  • Alejandro Rodriguez-Dawsøn – recording
  • Drrique Rendeer – recording
  • James Kelso – recording
  • Josh Berg – recording
  • Lorenzo Wolff – recording
  • Mikalai Skrobat – recording
  • Roark Bailey – recording
  • Will Chason – recording
  • Louis Bell – vocal editing
  • Patrick Hundley – vocal editing