"Honeysuckle Neckbone" by BLK ODYSSY & Bootsy Collins (@blkodyssy)

Honeysuckle Neckbone” – BLK ODYSSY & Bootsy Collins (2023)

BLK ODYSSY, the enigmatic Texas-based R&B artist, joins funk legend Bootsy Collins on “Honeysuckle Neckbone,” a sultry, genre-blurring single released via Earthchild/EMPIRE on March 15, 2023 ([music.amazon.com][1]). The track spans 3:21 minutes, presenting a lush blend of vintage funk aesthetics, contemporary soul, and hip-hop nuance.

The song opens with Collins’ unmistakable spoken-word flair, reasserting his iconic persona: “I’d rather be with you,” an echo of his 1976 anthem, *“I’d Rather Be With You”*—instantly setting an intimate, nostalgic tone ([thisisrnb.com][2]). BLK ODYSSY’s vocal delivery, which shifts between R\&B crooning and rap-tinged flows, creates an emotional tug-of-war:playful falsettos express desire, while deeper verses convey regret and longing, making heartbreak sound tender and seductive .

Production-wise, the instrumental wraps listeners in warm guitar licks, funky basslines (a nod to Collins’ signature sound), and retro-leaning arrangements. The phrase “sweet like candy” recurs in pitched-up falsetto lines, enhancing the track’s sweet-sour narrative—the nostalgic sweetness of past love layered with the bitterness of being replaced ([thisisrnb.com][2]).

The collaboration bridges two generations effectively: Bootsy adds epochal funk authority, layering voice and vibe, while BLK ODYSSY updates the palette with modern singer-songwriter depth and lyrical introspection. Critics noted the song’s affinity with mid-2010s’ soulful reinvention—Childish Gambino’s *Awaken My Love* or Kendrick Lamar’s *To Pimp A Butterfly*—while also positioning him as a key voice in R\&B’s next phase ([onestowatch.com][3]).

Commercially and culturally, “Honeysuckle Neckbone” bolstered BLK ODYSSY’s momentum—a follow-up to his *BLK VINTAGE* debut (40M+ streams), sparking playlist features and solidifying a headlining tour ([onestowatch.com][3]).

In summary, “Honeysuckle Neckbone” is a sensual, reflective fusion—melding Bootsy’s iconic funk swagger with BLK ODYSSY’s genre-fluid expression—resulting in a nostalgic yet forward-looking ode to love’s sweet sting.

[1]: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BX7NWT91?utm_source=chatgpt.com “music.amazon.com/albums/…”
[2]: https://thisisrnb.com/2023/03/blk-odyssy-takes-it-back-with-newly-released-single-honeysuckle-neckbone/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “BLK ODYSSY takes it back with newly released single …”
[3]: https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/blk-odyssy-honeysuckle-neckbone?utm_source=chatgpt.com “BLK ODYSSY Taps Bootsy Collins for the Syrupy Sweet …”

—ChatGPT generated

@blkodyssy

Finishes album and starts to msking cooking videos.. this might be a thing until we tour 😀😀#funk #music #food #blkodyssy #hiphop #rnb #macandcheese #shortribs

♬ HONEYSUCKLE NECKBONE - BLK ODYSSY & Bootsy Collins