Freak (Doja Cat song)

"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
PublishedNovember 11, 2018 (2018-11-11)
ReleasedAugust 7, 2020 (2020-08-07)
Recorded2018
Studio
  • Lineage Studios (Los Angeles, California)
  • The Sound Factory (Los Angeles, California)
[1]
GenreR&B
Length4:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
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

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 CertificationCertified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[17] Platinum 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[18] 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 [19][11]
United States

References
  1. Freak (Vinyl) (Media notes). Kemosabe Records.
  2. Zidel, Alex (August 6, 2020). "Doja Cat's "Freak" Single Gets Official Release Tonight: Listen Here". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  3. Rashed, Ayesha (August 7, 2020). "Doja Cat Releases "Freak" On Digital Service Providers For Fans". Respect. ISSN 2150-8674. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  4. "FREAK – Track by DOJA CAT". SoundCloud. November 11, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  5. 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.
  6. "♬ Freak by Doja Cat. On soundcloud on TikTok". TikTok. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  7. Lilah, Rose (June 24, 2020). "Doja Cat Teases A Bunch Of Unreleased Music To Be Packaged Into Project". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  8. 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.
  9. "Freak – Single by Doja Cat". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  10. "Freak – Single by Doja Cat (Explicit)". Apple Music. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  11. 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.
  12. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  13. "Doja Cat Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  14. "Doja Cat Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  15. "Doja Cat Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  16. "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  17. "Brazilian single certifications – Doja Cat – Freak" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  18. "American single certifications – Doja Cat – Freak". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  19. "Doja Cat – Freak Limited LP". Urban Outfitters. Retrieved November 12, 2020.


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