"Freak" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat released through Kemosabe Records and RCA Records on August 7, 2020.[2] Originally uploaded exclusively to SoundCloud in 2018, it was repackaged and released commercially due to popular demand by fans online.[3][4] The single samples the 1959 song, "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" by Paul Anka.[5] A standalone promotional single, "Freak" received a limited vinyl release via Urban Outfitters in November 2020.
"Freak" | |
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Promotional single by Doja Cat | |
Published | November 11, 2018 |
Released | August 7, 2020 |
Recorded | 2018 |
Studio |
|
Genre | R&B |
Length | 4:44 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
Audio video | |
"Freak" on YouTube |
Background and release
editPrior to its re-release, "Freak" had gained popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok, where it had been used in over 1.2 million videos.[6] In late June 2020, Doja Cat teased multiple new songs on an Instagram Live which she stated would all be released together in an upcoming project.[7] Alongside the announcement of "Freak", Doja Cat wrote that she had released the song to hold her fans off while she works on "a new surprise."[8] Both a clean and explicit version were released digitally.[9][10] In November 2020, a limited edition vinyl release of the song was made available exclusively through Urban Outfitters to support 11/11 Singles Day.[11]
Credits and personnel
editRecording and management
- Engineered at Lineage Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Vocals Recorded at The Sound Factory (Los Angeles, California)
- Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- Doja Cat Music/Prescription Songs (BMI), Yeti Yeti Yeti/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Cameron Bartolini Music (ASCAP), EPA Publishing/PW Ballads/Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Chrysalis Standards, Inc./BMG Rights Management (BMI), Universal Music – Careers (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Waters of Nazareth Publishing/Warner Geo Met Ric Music (GMR)
- Contains a sample from "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", words and music by Paul Anka, published by EPA Publishing/PW Ballads/Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI) and 1938 (Renewed 1986) Chrysalis Standards, Inc./BMG Rights Management (BMI)/BMG Blue (BMII) administers 100% for the World ex USA obo Paul Anka/Chrysalis Standards, Inc. (BMI), used courtesy of Paul Anka Productions, by arrangement with Primary Wave Music
- Contains a portion of the composition "Milkshake", written by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, published by Universal Music – Careers (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI) and Waters of Nazareth Publishing/Warner Geo Met Ric Music (GMR)
Personnel
- Doja Cat – vocals, songwriting, production
- Cameron Bartolini – songwriting; production, engineering as Cambo
- David Sprecher – songwriting; additional production, engineering as Yeti
- Paul Anka – songwriting
- Chad Hugo – songwriting
- Pharrell Williams – songwriting
- Neal H Pogue – mixing for Roselle New Jersey
- Mike Bozzi – mastering
Credits adapted from "Freak" vinyl liner notes.[1]
Charts
editChart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] | 5 |
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[13] | 21 |
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] | 32 |
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[15] | 8 |
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[16] | 6 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[17] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[18] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[20] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 11, 2018 | SoundCloud | Self-released | [4] |
August 7, 2020 |
|
[10] | ||
Canada | November 12, 2020 | LP | RCA | [21][11] |
United States |
References
edit- ^ a b Freak (Vinyl) (Media notes). Kemosabe Records.
- ^ Zidel, Alex (August 6, 2020). "Doja Cat's "Freak" Single Gets Official Release Tonight: Listen Here". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ Rashed, Ayesha (August 7, 2020). "Doja Cat Releases "Freak" On Digital Service Providers For Fans". Respect. ISSN 2150-8674. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "FREAK – Track by DOJA CAT". SoundCloud. November 11, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ Lavin, Will (August 8, 2020). "Listen to Doja Cat sample Paul Anka on doo-wop inspired 'Freak'". NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "♬ Freak by Doja Cat. On soundcloud on TikTok". TikTok. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ Lilah, Rose (June 24, 2020). "Doja Cat Teases A Bunch Of Unreleased Music To Be Packaged Into Project". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ FRONK DINGBUNGUS THE 5TH [verified account] [@DojaCat] (August 6, 2020). "Here's a special treat ! FREAK will be available on all streaming services tomorrow to hold you guys off while I'm working on new surprise" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Freak – Single by Doja Cat". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "Freak – Single by Doja Cat (Explicit)". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b Mamo, Helen (November 11, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops a Previously Unreleased Song, But There's Only One Way to Get It For Now". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Doja Cat – Freak" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Doja Cat – Freak". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Doja Cat – Freak". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Doja Cat – Freak Limited LP". Urban Outfitters. Retrieved November 12, 2020.