Genre-bending artist IDK returns with his powerful new single “S.T.F,” featuring the late DMX and production from Grammy-winning producer Kaytranada. The track blends IDK’s sharp lyricism with Kaytranada’s signature bounce and serves as both a tribute and a continuation of DMX’s legacy.
First debuted at LeBron James’ “Forever King Tour” in Shanghai, “S.T.F” marks the first posthumous DMX collaboration officially approved by Desiree Lindstrom and Sasha Simmons, co-administrators of the Estate of Earl “DMX” Simmons. “It means a lot to have artists like .idk. and Kaytranada tap into Earl’s energy and create something that is fresh and authentic to who he was,” they shared. “He set this collaboration in motion before he passed, so it was important for us to see his vision become a reality.”
IDK Taps Kaytranada For DMX Tribute
The song’s creation comes full circle for .idk., who previously collaborated with DMX on his projects Is He Real and USee4Yourself. He recalls, “Back in 2020, I recorded a song for DMX called ‘Dream.’ After he passed, I always wondered what happened to it. Years later, when I heard one of Kaytranada’s beats again, I imagined X’s voice over it. When I got the vocals from Pat Gallo, it fit perfectly — that’s how ‘START 2 FiNISH – S.T.F’ was born.”
The music video, directed by Ella Ezeike and premiered at MOCA in Los Angeles, captures the song’s intensity with bold visuals and cinematic storytelling. Moreover, this is a testament to .idk.’s creative vision that merges art, culture, and emotion.
Known for his boundary-pushing artistry, .idk. continues to blur lines between music, design, and education. From Harvard lectures and brand collabs with Dior and Mercedes Benz F-1 to his recent Land Rover Defender project.
“S.T.F” is the first glimpse of .idk.’s next project, inspired by mixtape culture and his own experiences navigating the criminal justice system. Stream “S.T.F” now on all platforms.
