Composition and reception
"Masked Up" is a two-minute and 16-second-long song. [1] Nettspend wrote the song with YoungBoy, [2] [3] and CXO, who did the mastering, and mixing. [1]
Shahzaib Hussain of Clash Magazine wrote how "Masked Up" sees Nettspend "distorted scream-rap bookends an NBA YoungBoy verse that hits with rapid-fire staccato intensity." [4] Alexandria Elise of Shatter The Standards wrote how YoungBoy sounds as a better pairing with Nettspend compared to OsamaSon on "pain talk" off the album. [5] Hattie Lindert of Pitchfork also felt the same way, writing how Youngboy brings "some refreshing tonal urgency to Nett’s characteristic half-thoughts". [6]
Vivian Medithi of The Fader wrote how "Masked Up" is a supercharged track, which sees "[Nettspend]'s avian cries tear through the punishing CXO beat." Medithi also wrote how "YB’s hammering verse is supported by a herd of noxious 808s that stampede in like wild horses." [7] Eric Alper wrote how "the track is a distorted, siren-laced collision of bass waves, rat-tat-tat drum hits, and sonic swerves, with Nettspend’s glitching scream-raps framing a rapid-fire YoungBoy verse that hits with staccato momentum. Together they unleash an almost abstract blur of flexes that sweeps through cash, clothes, planes, and automobiles without stopping to explain itself." [8]
Elijah Pareño of Rolling Stone Philippines wrote how the track features Nettspend keep things "loose and unpredictable". At the same time, YoungBoy's cadence holds the track together, showcasing the duo's contrast throughout. Nettspend's delivery lands with more angst, and the song follows that lead, whereas YoungBoy's brings the track's intensity to a whole new level right away. Nettspend and NBA Youngboy's exchange is an effective yin-and-yang dynamic. [9] Jon Caramanica how Nettspend and YoungBoy's collaboration is an "emblematic of hip-hop’s rapid evolution." he states how YoungBoy sounds like Rakim amidst the short chirps and tension of the young rapper Nettspend, he speaks on how having guest appearances is important to expand one's reach among the internet, but Caramanica stated how despite all the pressures, all the opportunities, all the things that life is presenting to him as an internet rapper on the rise, deep down is still a "badass" kid. [10]
