"Friends" | ||||
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Single by Monica featuring Ty Dolla Sign | ||||
Released | July 15, 2022 | |||
Length | 4:10 | |||
Label | Mondeenise | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Tasha Catour | |||
Monica singles chronology | ||||
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"Friends" is a song by American singer Monica. It was written by Monica, Ty Dolla Sign, Tasha Catour and Cousin band members Briana Hightower, Dana Johnson, and Robert Milton for her ninth studio album. Production was overseen by Catour, with Dolla Sign appearing as guest vocalist on the track. [1] The song was released by Mondeenise Music as the album's fourth single on July 15, 2022, [2] and reached number 37 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. [3]
"Friends" was co-written by Rob Milton, Dana Johnson, and Briana "Kreion" Hightower of the Atlanta group Cousin, while production was overseen by Tasha Catour. [4] The song interpolates singer Patti LaBelle's 1992 single "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)" and was first teased during Monica's acoustic Tiny Desk performance. [5] Monica described "Friends" as being "about keeping people in their place and handling your own relationships [...] and keep them out of it as much as you can." [6]
Toronto Star critic Richie Assaly called the song "a match made in R&B heaven. On "Friends," backed by little more than an acoustic guitar and a tasteful dose of digital bass, Monica and Ty Dolla assume the role of two lovers resolved to dismiss the opinions of judgmental friends who would stand in their way." He found that "the song reaches its climax during the bridge, as the two singers trade vocal runs, their voices — one elegant, one raw and textured — weaving into a mighty crescendo." [7]
Megan Grosfeld from Enspire noted that "Monica's emotions of an unbreakable bond for a special someone swell over the acoustic-lined production accompanied by a hard-hitting bass. Ty Dolla $ign is as heartfelt as Monica in the single. His verse is explaining to his lady that they must persevere through all the small bumps in the road if they want to grow and progress in their love. The two musician’s voices blend perfectly as one across the guitar strums and bass." [8] HotNewHipHop editor Lawrencia Grose found that "Monica & Ty's tones collided perfectly as they sang about avoiding negativity from their peers." [9]
"Friends" debuted at number 50 on Billboard's US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the week of October 22, 2022. [3] It eventually peaked at number 37, becoming her first top 40 entry in three years. [3]
A music video for "Friends" was directed by Sarah McColgan. [5] Set in a California desert during a sandstorm and freezing temperatures, the visual opens with a dance number choreographed by New Zealand entertainer Parris Goebel. As the video continues, Monica and Ty Dolla Sign exchange glances under the sun. [5]
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
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US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ( Billboard ) [3] | 37 |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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United States | July 15, 2022 | Mondeenise | [2] |
"Paranoid" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla $ign featuring American rapper B.o.B, released on September 10, 2013 as the first single from the former's debut EP, Beach House EP (2014). Written by the artists alongside producer DJ Mustard, "Paranoid" is a hip hop song that lyrically describes being in fear of getting caught cheating.
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"Blasé" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla Sign featuring rapper Future and hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd, taken as the lead single from the former's debut studio album Free TC on June 26, 2015. Produced by DJ Spinz, Ty and Future split singing the chorus back and forth followed by an outro from Future.
"Sucker for Pain" is a song by American rappers Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa and American rock band Imagine Dragons with fellow American rapper Logic and American singer Ty Dolla $ign featuring fellow American band X Ambassadors. The song was released as a single for the motion picture soundtrack for Suicide Squad (2016) on June 24, 2016, by Atlantic Records. On the same day, the official music video was uploaded to Atlantic Records' YouTube channel.
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"Psycho" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring fellow American singer Ty Dolla $ign. It was released through Republic Records on February 23, 2018, as the third single from Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). The artists wrote the song with Louis Bell, who produced it with Malone. Lyrically, the song discusses the artists' lifestyle and explores the theme of excessive fame and trust issues. The song entered at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 behind Drake's "God's Plan", and reached number one in June 2018, becoming Malone's second and Ty's first chart-topper.
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"Worth It" is a song by American singer YK Osiris, released on February 8, 2019 by Universal Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. It was sent to urban contemporary radio & rhythmic contemporary radio on March 9, 2019. It served as the second single from his debut studio album, The Golden Child. "Worth It" became his first song to hit the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at 87 and peaking at 48.
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