Fear of Heights (song)

Last updated
"Fear of Heights"
Song by Drake
from the album For All the Dogs
ReleasedOctober 6, 2023
Genre
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

Billboard 's Kyle Denis ranked the track as the twenty-first best track on the album. [9] Denis wrote that the track "features some of the worst hooks of Drake’s career" and that Drake's voice is so "bereft of energy", resulting in the track beginning to "drag". [9] However, Denis praised the verses, noting that they "are actually some of the most interesting on the whole record". [9] 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". [10] 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.'" [11] 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." [3]

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
Greece International (IFPI) [17] 13
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [18] 21
Italy (FIMI) [19] 81
Lithuania (AGATA) [20] 50
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [21] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [22] 28
Portugal (AFP) [23] 48
South Africa (TOSAC) [24] 9
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [25] 6
Swiss Streaming (Schweizer Hitparade) [26] 32
UAE (IFPI) [27] 18
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [28] 24
US Billboard Hot 100 [29] 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [30] 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.

"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">DJ Khaled discography</span> Hip hop disc jockey discography

The discography of American disc jockey DJ Khaled consists of thirteen studio albums which contain 54 singles ; his videography consists of at least 58 music videos. Khaled's value proposition is his extensive network of artists of whom he enlists to perform on studio recordings. While first accumulating such connections from his work as a live DJ and radio personality, he's since become known himself for numerous quips and phrases uttered on these records—many of which became Internet memes. Furthermore, his interviews, quotes, or other presentative qualities have often been described as "motivational" or "inspirational". Despite commercial success, the albums in Khaled's discography have often garnered largely mixed receptions from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make Me Proud</span> 2011 single by Drake featuring Nicki Minaj

"Make Me Proud" is a song by Canadian recording artist Drake, released as the third single from his second studio album, Take Care, featuring Trinidadian 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 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">Back to Back (Drake song)</span> 2015 single by Drake

"Back to Back" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake directed at American rapper Meek Mill during their 2015 feud. Released on July 29, 2015, it was the second diss track released by Drake in the feud, following "Charged Up". The song was described as a "bouncier freestyle" than the latter track.

<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 The Throne

"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.

"Circo Loco" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and British-American 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 second 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 Drake. It was released by 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slime You Out</span> 2023 single by Drake featuring SZA

"Slime You Out" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released through OVO Sound and Republic Records as the lead single from Drake's eighth studio album, For All the Dogs, on September 15, 2023. The R&B song was produced by Drake himself and Noel Cadastre and co-produced by 40, Bnyx, and Dalton Tennant, and written by the five alongside SZA, Chris Powell, and Grant Lapointe, due to the song sampling "Just Ask Me" by the Soul Superbs. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake's twelfth and SZA's second number-one single on the chart.

"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 rapper 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.

"7969 Santa" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs (2023). Produced by Alex Lustig, Nyan, Bnyx and Jahaan Sweet, it features additional vocals from American singer Teezo Touchdown and an outro from American rapper Snoop Dogg, as well as a sample of "I Don't Like" by Chief Keef featuring Lil Reese.

"8AM in Charlotte" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released through OVO Sound and Republic Records as the second single from his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs, on October 5, 2023, one day before the album was released. Drake wrote the song with producers Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano and additional producer Jason Wool, alongside L. Santi and Nichol Eskridge, due to it sampling "A Faithful Spirit", written by the latter. The song is a continuance of Drake's "[timestamp] in [city]" series of tracks.

"First Person Shooter" is a song by Canadian rapper 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. It is notable for reigniting Drake's decade-long feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.

"Like That" is a song by American rapper Future and American record producer Metro Boomin with fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was sent to US rhythmic radio through Freebandz, Boominati Worldwide, Epic Records, and Republic as the third and final single from Future and Metro's collaborative studio album, We Don't Trust You, on March 26, 2024.

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 5 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. 1 2 3 Denis, Kyle (October 6, 2023). "Drake's 'For All the Dogs': All 23 Songs Ranked". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ A., Aron (October 11, 2023). "Drake "For All The Dogs" Review". HotNewHipHop . 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. ↑ "Digital Singles Chart (International)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  18. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". Top Digital Download. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  20. ↑ "2023 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Drake – Fear of Heights". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 10 Week 41-2023". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 41". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Streaming Top 100". Schweizer Hitparade . Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  27. ↑ "UAE: 2023 - W41 - 10/06 to 12/10". The Official MENA Chart. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  30. ↑ "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.