Don Toliver Opens Up About ‘Iconic’ Justin Timberlake Sample On ‘Octane’

Even though Don Toliver released his latest album, “OCTANE,” in early 2026, he’s already got his mind on the next project. During a recent interview, the “Body” rapper discussed the transformation he’s undergone since releasing the 18-track project, why being in the studio at this moment is important to him, and his collaboration with Justin Timberlake.

Don Toliver Opens Up About Working On His Next Album Just Weeks After The Release Of ‘OCTANE’

Speaking with Billboard, Toliver revealed that he’s already been in the recording booth working on his next project. For those who may be unaware, “OCTANE,” which features hits “Gemstones” and “ATM,” was released in January 2026 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 162,000 equivalent units.

During the conversation, Toliver said that the rush to make new music stems from his genuine connection with the process. The 31-year-old further shared that capturing what he’s currently experiencing is paramount to him.

“To be honest, bro, I just realized within myself that I just love music and I just feel like right now if I don’t put out anything, I just need to capture this moment because it’s a lot going on in my life when I was making this album and when it came out and it’s just fueling me to be as creative as I can possibly be,” he said.

How Don Toliver Ended Up With A Justin Timberlake Sample On His Album

Elsewhere in the interview, Toliver discussed his hit single “Body,” which includes a sample from early-2000s icon Justin Timberlake. Toliver explained that, growing up, he often listened to Y2K stars like Pharrell and Outkast with his mother, creating lasting memories.

“I got a lot of fond memories of that. Justin Timberlake is always one of my favorites. ‘Justified,’ that album is literally in my top 10 favorite albums of all time,” Toliver shared.

Unfortunately, though, mixing his single with Timberlake’s 2002 single “Rock Your Body” wasn’t as sentimental as it may sound. “I didn’t think that deep into it,” said Toliver.

“As I sat with it for like a week, I was like, ‘Hold on, this is literally one of my favorite songs of all-time.’ ‘Rock Your Body’ is one of those songs that triggers an endorphin in my body. To put those two together was so iconic for me,” he added.

Don Toliver Opens Up About His Relationship With Rapper Travis Scott

“OCTANE” also featured rapper Travis Scott, one of Toliver’s longtime friends and music mentors. In a previous interview, Toliver shared the story of how the two met, explaining that Scott appeared at one of his shows after he’d been hustling to make a name for himself as an underground artist.

Safe to say, Scott means the world to Toliver, who told Billboard that he tries to keep their relationship as far from music as possible. “At the end of the day, we are human beings,” he said.

And when it came time to record his part for “OCTANE,” Toliver said he just wanted Scott to understand his “journey” through the music.

“He just caught a vibe for ‘Rosary,’ and he understood my idea for it. It was crazy, I really love his verse on the song,” he continued.

Toliver Describes The Mood Of His Latest Album

For those who might not have heard Toliver’s “OCTANE,” the father of one opened up about the inspiration behind the project during an interview with VIBE.

“The inspiration behind the title is another phrase for more fuel consumption. It’s really what it is,” he said. “It started out being about luxury vehicles and what I want to say about camping or outdoor living. With that, there are a lot of people who camp at night. The cars and nature are where this album began for me. I wanted it to be a luxury outdoor living experience where I could connect through a studio out there.”

As he continued, Toliver described the “mood” of the project, calling it “an experience” that gives him a lot of energy.

“The vibe of it just feels very adventurous when I listen to it. It just makes me want to start my day. When I get in my car and play the record, it makes me want to just go wherever I need to go,” he continued, adding that it puts him in a “‘Mission Impossible’ mindset.”

Speaking Of Mission…

Speaking of his mission, Toliver shared what he hopes to accomplish as a performer.

“To be one of the greatest artists to ever live is honestly my end goal. Of course, it’s to be successful in whatever I do within this, but more so, just to be pronounced as one of the best. I’m fine with that,” he said.