Chicago Freestyle

Last updated
"Chicago Freestyle"
Chicago Freestyle (Official Single Cover) - Drake.png
Song by Drake and Giveon
from the album Dark Lane Demo Tapes
ReleasedMarch 1, 2020
Length3:40
Label Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Cadastre
Music video
"When To Say When" & "Chicago Freestyle" on YouTube

"Chicago Freestyle" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and American singer-songwriter Giveon. It was released as the third track from Drake's commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes , on May 1, 2020. Drake interpolates Eminem's flow from his 2002 single "Superman" on the pre-chorus. [1] When it was unofficially released on February 29, 2020, it was released concurrently with another song, "When to Say When".

Contents

Background

On February 29, 2020, Drake released "When To Say When" and "Chicago Freestyle" on SoundCloud. He also released a music video for both songs. [2] The video stars Drake walking around New York City with scenes filmed in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. [3] The song is set to a "romantic" piano and a "hushed" chorus performed by Giveon. [4] Lyrically, Drake "unpacks the run-of-the-mill anxieties and flexes" associated with his nightlife, while portraying "an underrated antagonist", as described by a Pitchfork article. [5]

Critical reception

Grant Rindner of Complex felt that the lyrics reflected "Drake's first time being hurt in a long time", acknowledging "his heartbreak makes for great songs." [6] Kevin Montes of Medium deemed the song "one of the original standouts with its subtle melancholy vibe to Drake's reflection of celebrity life in his verses." [7] In a mixed review of both "Chicago Freestyle" and "When To Say When", Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork felt Drake "doesn't play the heel nearly as well as '02 Em used to." [5] NME 's Luke Morgan Britton found the song "cheesy." [8]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [9] 60
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [10] 13
France (SNEP) [11] 62
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [12] 146
Ireland (IRMA) [13] 9
Italy (FIMI) [14] 75
Lithuania (AGATA) [15] 54
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [16] 75
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [17] 31
Portugal (AFP) [18] 38
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [19] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [20] 34
UK Singles (OCC) [21] 10
US Billboard Hot 100 [22] 14
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [23] 11
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [24] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [25] 65

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [26] Platinum40,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [27] Gold45,000
France (SNEP) [28] Gold100,000
Italy (FIMI) [29] Gold50,000
Portugal (AFP) [30] Platinum10,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [31] Platinum600,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drake discography</span>

Canadian rapper and singer Drake has released 141 singles and six promotional singles. His music has been released on record labels Universal Motown Records and Republic Records, along with subsidiaries Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and OVO Sound. With 170 million records sold worldwide, he is among the best-selling music artists in history. Drake has achieved thirteen number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard hailed him as the "Artist of the 2010s Decade" and the 16th Greatest Artist of all time. RIAA ranks him as the best top-selling digital artist of all time with 244 million in the United States. He has the most number one singles on both the US Hot Rap Songs chart and the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuckin' Problems</span> 2012 single by ASAP Rocky featuring 2 Chainz, Drake and Kendrick Lamar

"Fuckin' Problems" is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky featuring Canadian rapper Drake and fellow American rappers 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 24, 2012, as the second single from Rocky's debut studio album Long. Live. ASAP (2013), and was later released to radio on November 27, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold On, We're Going Home</span> 2013 single by Drake, featuring Majid Jordan

"Hold On, We're Going Home" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring R&B duo Majid Jordan. The song was produced by Noah "40" Shebib, OVO Sound's Majid Jordan and Nineteen85, and it is the second single from his third studio album, Nothing Was the Same, and was released for digital download on August 7, 2013, following the 2013 OVO Fest. It was later released to mainstream and rhythmic contemporary radio on August 13, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuesday (iLoveMakonnen song)</span> 2014 single by ILoveMakonnen

"Tuesday" is the debut single by American rapper ILoveMakonnen, released on September 1, 2014. The song, which was produced by frequent collaborators Sonny Digital and Metro Boomin, originally mixed by Justin Childs, and features guest vocals by Ousala Aleem and from Canadian rapper Drake, was released as the first single from his debut extended play (EP), ILoveMakonnen (2014). On March 4, 2015, "Tuesday" was certified platinum by the RIAA, with over 1 million sales. There is also an unofficial freestyle to Tuesday by American rapper Fetty Wap and The Remy Boyz released October 14, 2014

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Way (Fetty Wap song)</span> 2015 single by Fetty Wap featuring Monty

"My Way" is the third single by American rapper and singer Fetty Wap, featuring Remy Boyz's RGF Productions' member Monty, from Wap's self-titled debut album. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War (Drake song)</span> 2020 song by Drake

"War" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020). It was released on December 24, 2019, through Republic and OVO.

"Pain 1993" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released as the tenth track from Drake's fifth mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes, on May 1, 2020. The song was written by Drake and Playboi Carti, alongside American record producer Pi'erre Bourne.

<i>Dark Lane Demo Tapes</i> 2020 mixtape by Drake

Dark Lane Demo Tapes is the sixth mixtape by Canadian rapper and singer Drake. The mixtape is a compilation of songs that were released on SoundCloud or leaked on the internet, as well as new songs, and is considered a "warm-up" to Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy (2021). It was released on May 1, 2020, by OVO Sound and Republic Records. Production was handled by Drake's longtime collaborator 40, among others. Featured guest appearances include Future, Young Thug, Chris Brown, Playboi Carti, Giveon, Fivio Foreign, and Sosa Geek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giveon</span> American R&B singer (born 1995)

Giveon Dezmann Evans, known mononymously as Giveon, is an American R&B singer. He rose to prominence with his collaboration with Drake on their 2020 single, "Chicago Freestyle". In the same year, Giveon released the EPs, Take Time and When It's All Said and Done, the former was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, and the latter reaching the Top 10 on the US Top R&B Albums chart. He released "Heartbreak Anniversary", as the second single from Take Time, which reached the Top 40 in the US and was certified Platinum by RIAA. In 2021, Giveon was featured alongside Daniel Caesar on the Justin Bieber single "Peaches", which debuted at number one on the Billboard Global 200 and US Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 2022, he released his debut studio album Give or Take.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popstar (DJ Khaled song)</span> 2020 single by DJ Khaled featuring Drake

"Popstar" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 17, 2020, simultaneously with their other collaboration "Greece", as the dual lead singles from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled. Both songs were produced by frequent Drake collaborator OZ. It marked the sixth and seventh collaborations between Khaled and Drake, and their first since 2017's "To the Max". The mid-tempo "Popstar" sees Drake boasting about being the "popstar" of the generation. The song proved to be more successful than "Greece", debuting at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number-one in Drake's native Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece (song)</span> 2020 single by DJ Khaled featuring Drake

"Greece" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 17, 2020, simultaneously with their other collaboration "Popstar", as the dual lead singles from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled. The songs marked the reunion between Khaled and Drake, who collaborated on various songs since 2010. Both tracks were produced by frequent Drake collaborator OZ. Critics deemed "Greece" a "luxurious" song, comparing Drake's vocals to fellow Canadian singer the Weeknd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only You Freestyle</span> 2020 single by Headie One and Drake

"Only You Freestyle" is a song by written and performed by British rapper Headie One and Canadian rapper Drake, released on 20 July 2020 by Relentless Records and OVO Sound. It served as the lead single to the former's debut studio album, Edna (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giveon discography</span> R&B recording artist discography

The discography of American singer-songwriter Giveon consists of one studio album, one compilation album, two extended plays, and nine singles. On March 27, 2020, Giveon released his debut extended play, Take Time. The EP reached number 35 on the Billboard 200. It produced the top-20 single, "Heartbreak Anniversary", which reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he released a collaboration with Drake, "Chicago Freestyle", which debuted and peaked at number 14 on the Hot 100. On October 2, 2020, Giveon released his second extended play, When It's All Said and Done. The EP debuted and peaked at number 93 on the Billboard 200. On March 12, 2021, Giveon released his debut compilation album, When It's All Said and Done...Take Time. The album debuted and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. That same year, he was featured alongside Daniel Caesar on Justin Bieber's single, "Peaches", which debuted and peaked atop the Hot 100, giving him his first chart-topping single. Later that year, he was featured alongside Lil Durk on Drake's song, "In the Bible", which debuted and peaked at number seven on the Hot 100. On June 24, 2022, Giveon released his debut studio album, Give or Take.

"Time Flies" is a song by Drake from his mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laugh Now Cry Later</span> 2020 single by Drake featuring Lil Durk

"Laugh Now Cry Later" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rapper Lil Durk. It was released through Republic Records and OVO Sound as a single on August 14, 2020. The two artists wrote the song alongside producers Cardo, Rogét Chahayed, G. Ry, and Yung Exclusive. It was originally the intended lead single from Drake's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreak Anniversary</span> 2020 single by Giveon

"Heartbreak Anniversary" is a song by American singer-songwriter Giveon. It was released on February 21, 2020, as the second single from his debut EP, Take Time (2020). Written from the perspective of a friend of Giveon's, the downtempo piano ballad finds him singing about the date of a breakup, reminiscing and grieving about a love gone wrong. The song became a sleeper hit, garnering chart success in early 2021, with a music video subsequently being released, and the song was sent to US radio, in March 2021. It reached number one in Malaysia and Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peaches (Justin Bieber song)</span> 2021 single by Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon

"Peaches" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber featuring fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar and American singer-songwriter Giveon. It was released through Def Jam Recordings on March 19, 2021, as the fifth single from the former's sixth studio album, Justice, which was released the same day. Bieber, Caesar, and Giveon wrote the song with producers Harv and Shndo, alongside Andrew Watt, Louis Bell, Sean Leon, Harv's wife Felisha King-Harvey of Cherish, Vincent Massi, and Keavan Yazdani. There are two remixes of the song: one that features American rapper Ludacris, American singer-songwriter Usher, and American rapper Snoop Dogg, and the other of which features Nigerian singers Alpha P and Omah Lay that is remixed by Nigerian record producer Masterkraft. "Peaches" marks the first time that Bieber, Caesar, and Giveon have collaborated with each other.

"Solid" is a song released by American record label Young Stoner Life with American rappers Young Thug and Gunna featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on April 16, 2021, as the fourth track from the main artist's second compilation album, Slime Language 2. A melodic trap song, it sees the rappers delivering verses about their relationship issues and the trust issues that stem from it. The song was originally intended for Drake's sixth album, Certified Lover Boy, as a collaboration between him and Gunna only.

"In the Bible" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rapper Lil Durk and American singer-songwriter Giveon. It was released on September 3, 2021, as the fourth track on Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy.

"Way 2 Sexy" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rappers Future and Young Thug. Released on September 3, 2021 as the lead single from Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy, it is a bass-heavy take on Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" (1991), which it interpolates throughout the chorus and refrain. A comedic music video was released on the same day as the song and sees the artists pay homage to numerous pop culture events and icons. "Way 2 Sexy" received mixed responses from critics.

References

  1. "Every Song From Drake's Surprise Project, Ranked". Billboard. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  2. "Drake's New Songs 'When to Say When' & 'Chicago Freestyle': See the Best Fan Reactions". Billboard.
  3. "First Impressions of Drake's New Songs "When to Say When" and "Chicago Freestyle"". Complex.
  4. "Drake Drops New Tracks 'When to Say When' and 'Chicago Freestyle': Listen". Billboard.
  5. 1 2 ""When to Say When"/ "Chicago Freestyle"". Pitchfork.
  6. "First Impressions of Drake's New Project Dark Lane Demo Tapes'". Complex. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  7. Montes, Kevin (2020-05-03). "Drake — Dark Lane Demo Tapes: Review". Medium. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  8. "Drake – 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes' review: business as usual on rapper's forgettable stop-gap release". NME . May 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  9. "Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  10. "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  11. "Top Singles (Week 19, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  12. "Drake Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  13. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  14. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 19" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  15. "ALBUMŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  16. "Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  17. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  18. "Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  19. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 19". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  20. "Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  22. "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  23. "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  24. "Top 100 Songs, May 1, 2020 - May 7, 2020". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  25. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  26. "Brazilian single certifications – Drake – Chicago Freestyle" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  27. "Danish single certifications – Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  28. "French single certifications – Drake feat Giveon – Chicago Freestyle" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  29. "Italian single certifications – Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  30. "Portuguese single certifications – Drake feat. Giveon – Chicago Freestyle" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  31. "British single certifications – Drake ft Giveon – Chicago Freestyle". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 23, 2022.