"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" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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) |
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| Audio video | |
| "Freak" on YouTube | |
Background and release
Prior 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
Recording 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
| Chart (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
| Region | 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
| Region | 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 |