The backbone of the song is a looped alto sax from Hank Crawford's cover of "Wildflower". This same sample was used in Tupac’s "Shorty Wanna Be A Thug," adding a layer of intertextual depth.
By featuring Houston rapper Paul Wall and using a "chopped and screwed" ending where the tempo drops to 16 RPM, West bridged the gap between Chicago and Southern hip-hop. KANYE WEST - Drive Slow
Kanye’s verse reflects on his youth, looking up to his friend "Mali" who had a car and a local reputation—symbolizing a time when success was defined by material status. The backbone of the song is a looped