Fear of Heights (song)

Last updated
"Fear of Heights"
Song by Drake
from the album For All the Dogs
ReleasedOctober 6, 2023
Length2:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Oz
  • Pooh Beatz
  • Nik D
  • XYNothing
  • Bnyx (add.)

"Fear of Heights" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). It was produced by Oz, Pooh Beatz, Nik D, XYNothing and Bnyx. The song has been considered a diss primarily aimed at Barbadian singer Rihanna, who was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Drake from 2009 to 2016.

Contents

Composition and lyrics

The lyrics of the song are widely believed to be referring to Rihanna, although her name is not mentioned. It starts with Drake singing "Why they make it sound like I'm still hung up on you? That could never be"; [1] [2] [3] in the intro, he repeatedly plays on the word "anti", alluding to Rihanna's album of the same name. [4] He further claims "the sex was average with you" [3] [5] and "I had way badder bitches than you", [3] before finishing with a taunt that her lover probably takes her to Antigua for vacation, which has been regarded as a diss toward American rapper ASAP Rocky, Rihanna's boyfriend and father of her two children. [3] [4] Drake also interpolates the song "Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?" by The Cramps. The second half of the song centers on his self-indulgent lifestyle, while he takes shots at rapper Pusha T. [6]

Stylistically, the song uses a similar sound to that of rage rap. [7] [8]

Critical reception

The song received generally negative reviews. Nadine Smith of The Independent criticized how Drake "wants to handcuff" women on the song, which she also cited as a track in which "he strains to fit over the futuristic 'rage' sound popularised by Playboi Carti." [7] Likewise, Paul Attard of Slant Magazine criticized the song for Drake "trying his hand at watered-down rage music". [8] Variety's Alex Swhear described the song as having a "bottom-tier Drake hook". [9] Pitchfork's Julianne Escobedo Shepherd commented "Drake demonstrates how hurt he is by making a song about how not hurt he is." [2] In a review of For All the Dogs, Aron A. of HotNewHipHop stated "The problem is that it feels as though Drake hasn't moved on, which is especially true on songs like 'Fear Of Heights.' Contrastingly, 'Fear Of Heights' comes through with the rugged and aggressive tone that has made Drake's rap records feel riveting as of late. However, the perceived shots at Rihanna and ASAP Rocky feel too petty for a man who admittedly 'had badder b*tches than you.'" [10] Charles Holmes of The Ringer wrote of the song, "to prove he's unbothered, we're inundated with boorish lines that have the interiority of a barn owl", additionally pointing out that a particular lyric "disregards the fact that the Fenty mogul is a billionaire and Drake is not—so affordable vacations are the least of her concerns." [11]

Charts

Chart performance for "Fear of Heights"
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [12] 22
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA) [13] 10
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [14] 8
France (SNEP) [15] 90
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [16] 13
Iceland (Plötutíðindi) [17] 21
Italy (FIMI) [18] 81
Lithuania (AGATA) [19] 50
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [20] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [21] 28
Portugal (AFP) [22] 48
South Africa ( Billboard ) [23] 11
South Africa Streaming (RISA) [24] 9
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [25] 6
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [26] 24
US Billboard Hot 100 [27] 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [28] 9

Related Research Articles

Hot Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. Streaming data and digital downloads were added to the methodology of determining chart rankings in 2012. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single sold in that given week. The song with the most weeks at number one is "Old Town Road", with a total of 20 weeks.

The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by Billboard. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 positions but was shortened to 50 positions in October 2012.

"Gently" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). It features Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and was produced by Gordo, Oz and Nik D. It is Drake's third collaboration with Bad Bunny, following 2018's "Mia" and 2020's "Loyal (Remix)" with PartyNextDoor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drake (musician)</span> Canadian rapper and singer (born 1986)

Aubrey Drake Graham, known professionally as Drake, is a Canadian rapper and singer. An influential figure in contemporary popular music, Drake has been credited with popularizing singing and R&B sensibilities in hip hop. Gaining recognition by starring as Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–08), he pursued a recording career in 2006, releasing his debut mixtape Room for Improvement in February of that year. He followed up with the mixtapes Comeback Season (2007) and So Far Gone (2009) before signing with Young Money Entertainment.

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

The discography of Canadian rapper and singer Drake consists of eight studio albums, one collaborative album, three compilation albums, four extended plays, seven mixtapes, one reissue, 141 singles, five promotional singles and 84 music videos. 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 albums on the Billboard 200 and 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 188 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">Make Me Proud</span> 2011 single by Drake featuring Nicki Minaj

"Make Me Proud" is a hip hop song by Canadian recording artist Drake, released as the third single from his second studio album, Take Care, featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released as a digital download on October 16, 2011 and impacted rhythmic radio on October 25, 2011 in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pour It Up</span> 2013 single by Rihanna

"Pour It Up" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was serviced to urban radio stations in the United States on January 8, 2013, as the second US single, and third overall single from the album. It was later also sent to contemporary hit radio radios in the country. "Pour It Up" written by Rihanna alongside Rock City and producers Mike Will Made It and JBo. It is a club, trap, and R&B song with a minimal hip hop beat. Rihanna brags about her wealth, which serves as both a strip club anthem and a declaration of independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm on One</span> 2011 single by DJ Khaled

"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The hip hop song features Canadian rapper Drake and American rappers Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Nikhil S. and Noah "40" Shebib. It was released for digital download in the United States on May 20, 2011. Remixes and freestyles were released from rappers such as Tyga, Meek Mill, Jamie Drastik, including other rappers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Sixteen</span> 2016 single by Drake

"Summer Sixteen" is a single by Canadian rapper Drake, released to promote his fourth studio album Views, although it was not included on that album. The song premiered on OVO Sound Radio and was released for digital download on January 30, 2016. It was produced by 40, Boi-1da and Cubeatz. It features uncredited vocals by DJ Khaled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pop Style</span> 2016 single by Drake featuring Jay-Z and Kanye West

"Pop Style" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z, collectively known as The Throne. The song was released alongside "One Dance", as singles promoting Drake's fourth studio album Views, initially for exclusive digital download on iTunes on April 5, 2016. The album version features only Drake with a new verse. The single version was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemon (N.E.R.D. and Rihanna song)</span> 2018 single by N.E.R.D.

"Lemon" is a song by American band N.E.R.D. from their fifth studio album, No One Ever Really Dies (2017). The song features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna, and was released as the album's lead single on November 1, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Guidance</span> 2019 single by Chris Brown featuring Drake

"No Guidance" is a song by American singer Chris Brown featuring vocals from Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on June 8, 2019, as the fourth single from Brown's ninth studio album, Indigo (2019). The song was written by Brown, Drake, Velous and Nija Charles, and produced by Vinylz, J-Louis, Teddy Walton, and Canadian producer 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tems</span> Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1995)

Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Drake.

"Circo Loco" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage from their collaborative studio album Her Loss (2022). It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio on November 11, 2022, as the lead single from the album. Produced by Boi-1da, Tay Keith and 40, it contains a sample and interpolation of "One More Time" by Daft Punk. The song garnered controversy over a perceived diss toward American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

<i>For All the Dogs</i> 2023 studio album by Drake

For All the Dogs is the eighth studio album by Canadian rapper and singer Drake. It was released through OVO Sound and Republic Records on October 6, 2023. The album features guest appearances from Teezo Touchdown, 21 Savage, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PartyNextDoor, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red, and Lil Yachty. Production was handled by Drake, Teezo Touchdown, and Lil Yachty themselves, along with 40, Sango, Oz, Bnyx, Southside, Boi-1da, Vinylz, Tay Keith, FnZ, Jahaan Sweet, the late DJ Screw, Stwo, Gordo, Justin Raisen, and the Alchemist, among others.

"Virginia Beach" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, released on October 6, 2023 as the opening track from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). Produced by Harley Arsenault, with co-production from 40, it contains samples of the unreleased song "Wiseman" by Frank Ocean.

"Amen" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American musician Teezo Touchdown, from the former's eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). It was produced by Sango, Budgie and Teezo Touchdown.

"Calling for You" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). Featuring Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, it was produced by Lil Yachty, 40, Gent!, Cash Cobain, PoWRTrav and JayStolaait. The song samples "Livin Without You" by Nohelani Cypriano, "Calling 4 You (Freestyle)" by Fridayy, and "Shake It to the Ground" by Blaqstarr and Rye Rye, the last of which is uncredited.

"Daylight" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). It was produced by Southside and Smatt, with co-production from T9C and additional production from Lil Esso. The song features additional vocals from Drake's son Adonis Graham.

"First Person Shooter" is a song by Canadian rapper and singer Drake featuring American rapper J. Cole. It was released through OVO Sound and Republic Records on Drake's eighth studio album, For All the Dogs. Drake and Cole wrote the song with producers Boi-1da, Vinylz, Tay Keith, FnZ, Oz, and Coleman, alongside Snorre Tidemand. "First Person Shooter" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake's thirteenth and Cole's first number-one song; with this, Drake tied Michael Jackson for the most number-one singles by a male solo artist. A month later, it was released with a music video on November 15, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ Britton, Luke Morgan (October 9, 2023). "Drake – 'For All The Dogs' review: banger-less, bitter and deeply mid". NME . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (October 9, 2023). "Drake: For All the Dogs Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Holmes, Charles (October 12, 2023). "The Daunting Decline of Drake on 'For All the Dogs'". The Ringer . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 Dailey, Hannah (October 6, 2023). "Here's Why Fans Think Drake Dissed Rihanna & A$AP Rocky on 'For All the Dogs'". Billboard . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  5. ↑ D'Souza, Shaad (October 9, 2023). "Drake: For All the Dogs review – repetitive rap titan needs new tricks". The Guardian . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  6. ↑ Pavlakos, Louis (October 9, 2023). "Drake's 'For All The Dogs' Is Another Troll Bait Effort That's Quite Mid". HipHopDX . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  7. 1 2 Smith, Nadine (October 6, 2023). "Drake review, For All the Dogs: Rapper's outright contempt for women borders on sinister". The Independent . Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Attard, Paul (October 9, 2023). "Drake For All the Dogs Review: A Clownish Tribute to Chauvinism". Slant Magazine . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Swhear, Alex (October 8, 2023). "Drake Heads Into His Hiatus on a Perfunctory Note With Bloated 'For All the Dogs': Album Review". Variety . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  10. ↑ A., Aron (October 11, 2023). "Drake "For All The Dogs" Review". HotNewHipHop . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Holmes, Charles (October 12, 2023). "The Daunting Decline of Drake on 'For All the Dogs'". The Ringer . Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". Top Digital Download. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  19. ↑ "2023 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Drake Chart History (South Africa Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 10 Week 41-2023". The Official South African Charts . Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  25. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 41". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.