Music moves fast. Most songs die in a week. But Brent Faiyaz’s 16 missed calls lyrics have somehow stuck to the ribs of R&B culture since "Trust" dropped back in 2018. It’s weird, honestly. You’d think a song about ghosting and toxic communication would age poorly, yet here we are, still seeing these lyrics plastered across Instagram captions and TikTok edits.
People love a villain. Or maybe they just love someone who admits to being one. When Faiyaz sings about those 16 missed calls, he isn’t apologizing. He’s explaining. That distinction is exactly why the track, originally a standout on the Lost EP, became a career-defining moment for the Maryland crooner.
The literal meaning behind the 16 missed calls lyrics
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. The song isn't actually titled "16 Missed Calls." It’s titled "Trust." But if you look at search data, nobody searches for "Trust lyrics" as much as they search for the "16 missed calls" hook.
The core of the track is built on a specific kind of modern anxiety. Brent is essentially telling a partner that his lifestyle—the fame, the late nights, the industry grind—doesn’t allow for the constant digital tethering people expect. When he mentions the 16 missed calls, it’s a symbol of a relationship reaching a breaking point. It’s the visual of a lock screen filled with notifications that you’re too overwhelmed (or too indifferent) to check.
Brent’s writing is famously blunt. He’s not trying to be the "nice guy" of R&B. Unlike the ballad-heavy era of the 90s where singers begged for forgiveness, Brent is more likely to tell you why he’s busy. This reflects a shift in how we consume "toxic" R&B. We aren't looking for heroes anymore; we're looking for relatability.
Why the math matters
Why 16? It’s a specific number. Not 10, not 20. In songwriting, specificity creates imagery. If he said "a lot of missed calls," the song would be generic. By saying 16 missed calls, he paints a picture of a very long, very frustrating night for whoever is on the other end of that phone. It implies a sense of desperation from the caller and a cold, calculated distance from the receiver.
Production that makes the lyrics hit harder
You can't talk about the lyrics without mentioning the atmosphere created by Loshendrix and Nascent. The beat is hazy. It feels like a 3:00 AM drive through a city with no traffic lights. That sonic "fog" is the perfect backdrop for lyrics about missing calls.
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If the beat were upbeat or aggressive, the lyrics would feel like an insult. Because the production is soulful and melancholic, the 16 missed calls lyrics feel more like a confession. It sounds like someone who is tired. Brent’s vocal delivery is intentionally laid back—almost bored—which reinforces the idea that the drama of the relationship is starting to weigh him down.
The cultural impact of "toxic" R&B tropes
Social media turned this song into a meme, but a high-level one. The "Toxic King" label has been applied to Brent Faiyaz, Future, and Giveon, often using these specific lyrics as the primary evidence.
But is it actually toxic?
Maybe. Or maybe it’s just honest. In an interview with Vice, Faiyaz has touched on the idea that he just writes what he experiences. He’s not trying to be a role model. The 16 missed calls lyrics represent a reality where success often comes at the cost of personal stability. When you’re "on," you’re unreachable.
- The song became a staple on "late night drive" playlists.
- It helped define the "Sonder" aesthetic—a mix of isolation and high-quality production.
- It transitioned Brent from an underground favorite to a mainstream powerhouse.
Misconceptions about the song's narrative
A lot of listeners think the song is about cheating. If you actually sit with the 16 missed calls lyrics, it’s more about the loss of autonomy. He says, "I've been on the road, I've been on the move, I've been on the go." He’s defending his time.
The tension in the song isn't necessarily about another woman; it's about the phone itself. The phone is the leash. By ignoring the 16 calls, he’s cutting the leash. It’s a dark take on "self-care" that borders on negligence, which is why it sparks so much debate in Twitter threads even years later.
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Comparisons to other artists
If you look at Summer Walker’s "Session 32" or SZA’s earlier work, they explore the same themes from the opposite perspective—the one doing the calling. Brent Faiyaz provided the anthem for the person who isn't picking up. It’s the "villain's perspective" that was missing from the R&B charts for a long time.
Technical breakdown of the verse structure
The song doesn't follow a traditional pop structure. It’s fluid. The hook is catchy, sure, but the verses bleed into each other. This mimics the feeling of a rambling explanation. When you’re trying to explain why you didn't answer the phone, you don't usually speak in perfect, rhyming stanzas. You stumble. You repeat yourself.
"I’m not saying I’m the best at keeping in touch," he basically admits. That vulnerability, even if wrapped in arrogance, is what makes the 16 missed calls lyrics feel human. AI could write a song about a phone, but it couldn't capture the specific, dismissive sigh that Brent seemingly builds into every syllable.
Why 16 missed calls lyrics are still trending in 2026
It’s about the "digital burnout" era. We are more connected than ever, which means we are more pressured than ever to respond. The 16 missed calls represent the ultimate social anxiety. Everyone has felt that pang of guilt when they see a string of notifications they don't want to deal with.
Brent Faiyaz tapped into a universal modern stressor. By turning that stress into a smooth R&B hit, he gave people a way to romanticize their own unavailability. It’s not just a song; it’s a mood. It’s an excuse.
Analyzing the "Trust" factor
The song is called "Trust" for a reason. If there was trust, there wouldn't be 16 calls. The volume of attempts proves the lack of faith. Faiyaz is flipping the script: he's suggesting that the person calling him 16 times is actually the one causing the problem because they don't trust him to be doing what he says he's doing. It’s a brilliant, if slightly manipulative, lyrical pivot.
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Actionable insights for listeners and creators
If you’re a fan trying to understand the depth of Brent’s catalog, or a songwriter looking to capture this same energy, there are a few key takeaways from the success of this track.
For the casual listener:
Listen to the Lost EP in full. "Trust" is the centerpiece, but the surrounding tracks provide the context for the "16 missed calls" persona. It’s a journey through a very specific period of Brent's life in LA and Baltimore.
For creators and writers:
Notice how Brent uses "negative space." He doesn't over-sing. He lets the silence between the lyrics do the heavy lifting. If you’re trying to write lyrics that resonate, focus on a single, evocative image—like a specific number of missed calls—rather than trying to describe an entire relationship in abstract terms.
Understanding the E-E-A-T of R&B:
To truly appreciate these lyrics, you have to look at the lineage of Maryland R&B. Artists from this region, including Faiyaz and others in the Sonder collective, have a history of blending "street" sensibilities with high-art production. This isn't "mumble R&B." It’s highly intentional songwriting that mimics the cadence of real-life arguments.
If you want to dive deeper into Brent's discography, look for his live acoustic performances. Stripping away the heavy bass of the studio version reveals just how much the 16 missed calls lyrics rely on his specific vocal phrasing to work. Without that "I don't care but I kind of do" tone, the song wouldn't be the cult classic it is today.
Check your own notification settings. Maybe leave a few calls unanswered today and see if it feels like a Brent Faiyaz song. Just don't blame the lyrics if it ends in a breakup.