If you walked out of the theater humming a bassline that felt weirdly cool for a movie about yellow jellybeans in overalls, you aren’t alone. The Despicable Me 4 song that everyone is frantically Googling isn't just another "Happy" clone. It’s a groovy, slightly-menacing earworm called "Double Life" by Pharrell Williams. Honestly, it’s the best thing to happen to the franchise’s music since 2013.
Most people expect Illumination soundtracks to be pure sugar. This one is different. It’s got a bit of an edge. Pharrell basically traded the sunshine of his previous hits for a late-night, synth-heavy vibe that fits Gru’s secret agent identity perfectly.
The Pharrell Williams Connection: Beyond "Happy"
Pharrell has been the musical architect of this universe since the very first movie in 2010. Remember the original "Despicable Me" track? It was funky and weird. Then "Happy" happened and took over the entire world—for better or worse.
With "Double Life," Pharrell returns to that "spy-movie-cool" aesthetic. The song dropped on June 14, 2024, right before the movie hit theaters. It features a driving bassline and lyrics that talk about keeping secrets and living two lives. It’s catchy as hell.
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Interestingly, the internet went into a bit of a meltdown when the song first premiered. Why? Because fans started theorizing that "Double Life" was actually a subtle diss track aimed at Drake. Since Pharrell is tight with Pusha T, people looked at lyrics like "Lie detector time" and "Nothin' wrong bein' private" and assumed it was a jab at the Toronto rapper. Whether that’s true or just fans over-analyzing a kid’s movie song is up for debate, but it certainly gave the track a lot of "street cred" it didn't necessarily need.
The Full Soundtrack: Who Else is on It?
While Pharrell is the face of the music, he isn't the only one carrying the load. The actual score—the instrumental stuff that makes the action scenes feel big—is handled by Heitor Pereira. He’s been the series regular for years.
But if you’re looking for the licensed songs—the ones you’ll actually put on your Spotify playlist—the list is surprisingly diverse.
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- Lil Yachty: He contributed a track called "Lil Mega Minion." It’s a collaboration with Lyrical Lemonade and comes with a wild music video directed by Cole Bennett.
- Teezo Touchdown: He brought a song called "None of Your Business" to the mix.
- The Cast Cover: One of the most talked-about moments in the film is the cast singing "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears. It’s the final track on the official 44-song soundtrack album.
The movie also peppers in classics to keep the parents from falling asleep. You’ve got Van Halen’s "Hot For Teacher" during a high-energy sequence and Culture Club’s "Karma Chameleon." Even Blackpink makes an appearance with "Boombayah," alongside BTS's "Dynamite." It's a weirdly effective mix of 80s rock, K-pop, and modern hip-hop.
Why "Double Life" Is Dominating TikTok
The Despicable Me 4 song "Double Life" didn't just stay in the cinema. It exploded on TikTok and Reels. The 120 BPM tempo makes it perfect for "get ready with me" videos or "day in the life" edits.
It’s got that "main character energy" that "Happy" lacked. While "Happy" felt like being forced to smile at a corporate retreat, "Double Life" feels like you’re about to pull off a heist. It’s cool. It’s sophisticated. It’s probably the most "adult" song Pharrell has written for these movies.
Breaking Down the Trailer Music
A lot of people actually found the music through the trailers first. If you remember the very first teaser, it used "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce. That was a choice! It signaled that the fourth movie was going to be a bit more "extreme" with the introduction of the Mega Minions. Later trailers used "Shut Up and Dance" by WALK THE MOON to lean back into that family-friendly energy.
Practical Soundtrack Guide
If you’re trying to build the ultimate Minions playlist, here is what you need to look for. The "Official Motion Picture Soundtrack" released by Back Lot Music is mostly Heitor Pereira’s score. To find the bangers, you have to look for the individual singles.
- Search for "Double Life" by Pharrell Williams. This is the primary theme.
- Look for "Lil Mega Minion" by Lil Yachty. This was a standalone release on June 24, 2024.
- Find the "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" cast version. It’s the last track on the score album.
- Check out Teezo Touchdown. His track "None of Your Business" is a hidden gem in the film.
The best way to enjoy the music is to separate the score from the songs. Pereira’s score is great for background work, but Pharrell’s "Double Life" is what you’ll actually want to blast in the car.
To get the most out of the Despicable Me 4 song experience, listen to the "Double Life" lyric video on YouTube. It features some great animation that didn't make it into the final cut of the film. After that, check out the Lyrical Lemonade video for Lil Yachty’s track to see the Mega Minions in a completely different art style. This transition from bubblegum pop to a more rhythmic, "street" sound is exactly why this soundtrack is ranking so well with both kids and their parents in 2026.