Awkward Freestyle

Last updated
"Awkward Freestyle"
Eem Triplin - Awkward Freestyle.jpg
Single by Eem Triplin
ReleasedMarch 31, 2022
Genre
Length2:07
Songwriter(s) Naeem Triplin
Producer(s) Eem Triplin
Eem Triplin singles chronology
"Mr Clean"
(2022)		"Awkward Freestyle"
(2022)		"Louie V"
(2022)
Music video
"Awkward Freestyle" on YouTube

"Awkward Freestyle" is a single by American rapper Eem Triplin, released on March 31, 2022. [1] It contains a sample of "Awkward" by Tyler, the Creator and went viral on the video-sharing app TikTok, becoming his breakout song,

Contents

Background

Eem Triplin experimented with sampling "Awkward" by Tyler, the Creator years before the release of "Awkward Freestyle". [2] The song is about a breakup, [3] [4] with Triplin using a fast-paced flow over "syrupy, slow-paced samples" [3] and rapping in a melancholic, bitter tone. [2] [3] [4] In the following several weeks, the song achieved popularity on TikTok and garnered over two million streams on Spotify. [5] It eventually attracted the attention of Tyler, the Creator himself, who endorsed the song. [4] [5]

Critical reception

The Fader wrote of the song, "It's become an underground hit through TikTok, planting Eem on Rolling Loud bills and even receiving a blessing from Tyler himself. And for good reason: On the track, Eem effortlessly threads the needle between the chilly fuzz of sample drill and the warm snaps of L.A. street rap, creating something entirely his own. The real sauce, though, is Eem's soft pitched-up and layered vocals, a cool, bedroom pop-esque mutation of X and Kodak that imbues every word with soul." [2]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [6] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "Awkward Freestyle - Single". Apple Music . Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "FOREVER.CLASSIC: Eem Triplin's effortless cool". The Fader . May 10, 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Seabrook III, Robby (December 27, 2022). "The Break Presents – Eem Triplin". XXL . Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Meara, Paul (July 12, 2023). "#OnTheVerge: Eem Triplin Sounds Like Himself Which Is Like No One Else". BET . Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 Gardner, Alex; Moore, Jacob; Adorney, Sabine; LoPilato, Caitlin; Hill, Shamus (June 29, 2022). "Best New Artists". Complex . Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "American single certifications – Eem Triplin – Awkward Freestyle". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 10, 2025.
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