GOOD Fridays

Last updated

GOOD Fridays was a weekly free music release by rapper Kanye West, launched in support of his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and again for his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The original intention was to release a free new song every Friday for a few months to promote his album, and the weekly tracks generally featured various rappers from his label, GOOD Music, and other artists he usually collaborated with. [1] All of the GOOD Friday tracks come with their own cover art. [2] West initially announced that the free music program releases songs from August 20, 2010, to Christmas 2010. However at the beginning of November, West announced that he was extending GOOD Fridays until the end of January. [3] 15 GOOD Friday tracks have been released through the program and three tracks appeared on West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy . [4] The program was relaunched in 2016 in support of The Life of Pablo ; 3 tracks have been released through the relaunch, with all of the tracks appearing on the album. West described the series as "an exercise in the power of art." [5]

Songs

SongReleasedNotes
"Power" (remix)
(featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz).		August 20, 2010 [6]
"Monster"
(featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver).		August 27, 2010 [7]
[8] 		Taken off the GOOD Friday website due to being released as an official single. Peaked at position #18 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Runaway Love" (remix)
(Justin Bieber featuring Kanye West and Raekwon).		August 30, 2010 (Monday)Is the first song released which features West as a guest collaborator rather than a main guest. Contains a sample of Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit. Was later released on Never Say Never – The Remixes , which uses the original version's beat.
"Devil in a New Dress"September 3, 2010Shortened version of what appeared on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Produced by Bink!. Album version features Rick Ross.
"G.O.O.D. Friday"
(featuring Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, and Charlie Wilson).		September 10, 2010The title track for the series that featured some of the prominent members of G.O.O.D. Music. Produced by Kanye West.
"Lord Lord Lord"
(featuring Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and Charlie Wilson).		September 17, 2010After the release of this track, Mos Def confirmed his signing with GOOD Music [9]
"So Appalled"
(featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz, and RZA).		September 24, 2010The GOOD Friday release of this track is an unmastered version of what later appeared on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
"Christian Dior Denim Flow"
(featuring Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks and Ryan Leslie).		October 1, 2010Released the week West said he would temporarily suspend the GOOD Friday series. [10] Re-released with an extended verse by Ryan Leslie. [11]
"Don't Stop!"
(Child Rebel Soldier)		October 8, 2010Recorded and produced more than a year prior to release. [12] Re-released 2 days later with a different mix of the song. [13]
"Take One for the Team"
(featuring Keri Hilson, Pusha T, and Cyhi the Prynce).		October 15, 2010—
"Don't Look Down"
(featuring Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean).		October 22, 2010Produced by Swizz Beatz and The Individualz.
"The Joy"
(featuring Curtis Mayfield, Charlie Wilson, Pete Rock and Kid Cudi).		October 29, 2010Produced by Pete Rock and Kanye West. Included as a bonus track on Watch the Throne .
"Looking for Trouble"
(featuring Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Big Sean and J. Cole).		November 5, 2010Also included on the J. Cole mixtape Friday Night Lights as a bonus track.
"Chain Heavy"
(featuring Talib Kweli and Consequence).		November 12, 2010Produced by Q-Tip. Contains a sample of "Swamp Fox - Interlude No. 6" by Albino Gorilla.
"Christmas in Harlem"
(featuring Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild, Teyana Taylor and Big Sean).		December 17, 2010Produced by Hit-Boy. Released officially through iTunes on December 17, 2010, with only Teyana Taylor, CyHi The Prynce and Kanye. The final version was released the following week.
"Real Friends"
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign).		January 8, 2016The single and the return of the program were announced by Kim Kardashian via Twitter. [14] Released officially through SoundCloud on January 8, 2016.
"No More Parties in LA"
(featuring Kendrick Lamar).		January 18, 2016Produced by Madlib. Initially scheduled for release on January 15, the single was officially released 3 days later through SoundCloud on January 18, 2016. [15]
"30 Hours"
(featuring Andre 3000).		February 12, 2016Released officially through SoundCloud on February 12, 2016; the song was later removed from the platform.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanye West</span> American rapper and producer (born 1977)

Ye is an American rapper, record producer, singer, songwriter, and fashion designer. One of the most prominent figures in hip hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He peaked the chart on four other occasions with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T.", and "Carnival" (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GOOD Music</span> American record label

GOOD Music is an American independent record label founded by rapper Kanye West in 2004. The label entered an exclusive long-term worldwide distribution contract with the Island Def Jam Music Group in 2011. In 2012, the label released its only compilation album, Cruel Summer. In 2015, Pusha T was appointed president of the label by West, while record executive Steven Victor was appointed chief operating officer (COO). In late 2022, Pusha T stepped down from the position as he was no longer on speaking terms with West.

"Lost in the World" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song features vocals by Justin Vernon of indie folk band Bon Iver, as well as sampling his 2009 song "Woods". It also contains portions of "Soul Makossa" written by Manu Dibango, and samples of "Comment No. 1", performed by Gil Scott-Heron. It was produced by West and Jeff Bhasker, who wrote the track with Vernon and Malik Jones. "Lost in the World" was initially leaked on September 29, 2010, and was 5 minutes and 55 seconds long. The version on the album was divided into two parts, with the outro becoming a new track entitled "Who Will Survive in America".

<i>My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy</i> 2010 studio album by Kanye West

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 22, 2010. Retreating to a self-imposed exile in Hawaii after a period of controversy in 2009, following his interruption of Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, West recorded the album at Honolulu's Avex Recording Studio in a communal environment involving numerous musicians. Additional recording sessions took place at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, along with the New York City studios Electric Lady and Platinum Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Smile</span> 2010 single by Justin Bieber

"U Smile" is a song performed by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was written by Jerry Duplessis, Arden Altino, and Dan August Rigo, and produced by Duplessis and Altino. The song was released as the second digital-only single from the latter half of Bieber's first album on March 16, 2010. It was released to mainstream radio in Canada on August 9, 2010, followed by a mainstream and rhythmic release on August 24, 2010, in the United States as the album's third single there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power (Kanye West song)</span> 2010 single by Kanye West

"Power" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the lead single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song features additional vocals by soul singer Dwele and is co-produced by West and Symbolyc One. It is built around samples of "21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson, "Afromerica" by Continent Number 6, and "It's Your Thing" by Cold Grits. After having recorded it in Hawaii, West reported that 5,000 man-hours were spent developing "Power". In its lyrics, West comments about the United States, his mental health and his critics. Its chorus features an abrasive vocal-riff.

<i>Pink Friday</i> 2010 studio album by Nicki Minaj

Pink Friday is the debut studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on November 22, 2010, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown Records. After signing a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009, Minaj began planning the album that same year and work continued into 2010. Minaj enlisted a variety of producers whose efforts resulted in a primarily hip hop, pop, and R&B album, in which sees additional influences from electronic music. The album features guest vocals from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West, and Natasha Bedingfield. Over a decade since its release, Pink Friday continues to attract wide praise from mainstream and hip hop critics alike and has developed a cult following.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devil in a New Dress</span> 2010 song by Kanye West featuring Rick Ross

"Devil in a New Dress" is a song by American hip hop recording artist and rapper Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). Originally released through West's GOOD Friday initiative, a weekly free music giveaway started by the rapper to promote My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, it later appeared on the album with an added guitar solo by producer Mike Dean and an additional guest verse featuring rapper Rick Ross. "Devil in a New Dress" was produced by Bink, and is the only song on the album not to be produced by West. The song samples Smokey Robinson's slow jam recording "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?", and is themed lyrically to lust and heartache. Both the topics of love and religion serve as the main inspiration to the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway (Kanye West song)</span> 2010 single by Kanye West featuring Pusha T

"Runaway" is a song by American rapper Kanye West featuring fellow American rapper Pusha T, released as the second single from the former's fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song was written by the artists alongside Emile, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, and Malik Yusef with the first three co-producing it with Ye. The composition features repetitive piano riffs, intricate samples and a production style with several similarities to West's album 808s & Heartbreak (2008). Described as a deeply personal song, it expresses West's thoughts on his failed relationships and his acceptance of the media's perception of him. Lyrically, the song explores criticism aimed at West in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster (Kanye West song)</span> 2010 song by Kanye West

"Monster" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the third single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song features rappers Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj, along with indie folk group Bon Iver. All five credited acts have writing credits on the posse cut, with the production handled by West and Mike Dean. The instrumental is atmospheric and drum-heavy, and the lyrics reflect influences from horror films, creating an eerie composition which drew critical comparisons to the Michael Jackson track "Thriller".

<i>Runaway</i> (2010 film) 2010 short film by Kanye West

Runaway is a 2010 American musical short film directed by Kanye West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman's Revenge</span> 2010 song by Nicki Minaj

"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj featuring American rapper Eminem, performing as their respective alter egos Roman Zolanski and Slim Shady. Taken from her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010), written alongside producer Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the United States iTunes Store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Appalled</span> 2010 song by Kanye West featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz and RZA

"So Appalled" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song was produced by West, along with No I.D. and Mike Dean, and features verses by Jay-Z, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, and RZA respectively, who all receive writing credits. Lyrically, the song explores topics such as the troubles produced from being famous, social concerns and features numerous pop culture references.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H.A.M.</span> 2011 single by Jay-Z and Kanye West

"H•A•M" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West. It was released as the first single from their collaborative studio album Watch the Throne on January 11, 2011. It was produced by Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis and Kanye West. The song has served as the opening track to the duo's Watch the Throne Tour. Various rap artists have remixed it, such as Ace Hood and Busta Rhymes. The song was featured in the 2012 film Project X. It peaked at No. 23 on Billboard Hot 100.

"All of the Lights" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). It was produced by West and features additional vocals from several other recording artists, including John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, La Roux, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, Kid Cudi, and Rihanna; the latter two are credited on the official music video and single version, but not on the album version. It is often played along with its accompanying interlude "All of the Lights (Interlude)", which precedes the song on the album's tracklist.

"Dark Fantasy" is a song by American hip hop recording artist and producer Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song serves as the opening track of the album, and was written by West, Ernest Wilson, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean and Robert Diggs. It features an opening narrative delivered by rapper Nicki Minaj, and singers Teyana Taylor and Justin Vernon contribute to the song's hook and provide background vocals. The track heavily samples "In High Places" by Mike Oldfield. The song introduces several of the themes presented on the album and features numerous pop culture references, a gospel-inspired production style, and piano-driven composition. The song received acclaim from music critics, who praised the song as a strong opener to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, complementing West's vocal delivery and the song's production.

"Gorgeous" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The track features a hook provided by Kid Cudi, a recording artist formerly signed to West's label GOOD Music, and a rap verse provided by the Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The song was written by West, Cudi, Raekwon, No I.D., Mike Dean and Rhymefest, and was produced by West, No I.D. and Dean. It contains elements of Enoch Light and the Glittering Guitars' cover version of The Turtles' song "You Showed Me". "Gorgeous" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised the intricacy of the production, the quality of the guest features and the rock music-inspired aesthetic of the song. Several critics cited West's verses as a highlight of the track, complimenting his lyricism and delivery.

<i>Chamber of Diaries</i> 2012 mixtape by Kalenna Harper

Chamber of Diaries is the debut solo mixtape by American R&B artist Kalenna Harper, previously of Diddy Dirty Money fame, released on June 13, 2012. The mixtape's lead single, "Go to Work", was released on March 15, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speechless (Alicia Keys song)</span> 2010 song by Alicia Keys featuring Eve

"Speechless" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, featuring additional vocals from American rapper Eve. It was written by Keys, Eve and Swizz Beatz, and produced by the latter. It samples Kanye West’s 2010 song “Devil in a New Dress”. A dedication to her son Egypt, whom she gave birth to in October 2010, the freestyle collaboration was released as a holiday gift for Keys's fans on Beatz's Monster Mondays program on December 27, 2010. Swizz Beatz later included the song on his mixtape Monster Mondays Vol. 1 (2011). The song charted on number 71 the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in early 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2010-08-23). "Kanye West Promises New Song Every Week Through Christmas - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  2. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2010-08-23). "Kanye West Promises New Song Every Week Through Christmas - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  3. ↑ "Sound Check: Kanye West Extends G.O.O.D Fridays 'Til End Of January". Complex Networks . Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  4. ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-30). "Kanye West Finishes My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  5. ↑ "Kanye West – Runaway (Screening Review)". Theh Hphop Chronicle. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010.
  6. ↑ Ryon, Sean (2010-08-12). "Kanye West To Release "Power (Remix)" With Jay-Z Tomorrow". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  7. ↑ Montgomery, James (2010-10-19). "Kanye West Reveals Which Good Friday Tracks Are On Fantasy". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  8. ↑ Nadeska, Alexis (2010-08-30). "Kanye West and Jay-Z Team Up for Joint EP, Release 'Monster'". BoomBox. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  9. ↑ Denis, Vanessa (2010-09-27). "Mos Def Signs With Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on September 30, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  10. ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-02). "Kanye West Unleashes His 'Christian Dior Denim Flow' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  11. ↑ "Twitter / Kanye West". Twitter.com. 2010-10-03. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  12. ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-09). "Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Lupe Fiasco 'Don't Stop' On New Track - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  13. ↑ "Twitter / Kanye West: Peep the newer version of". Twitter.com. 2010-10-10. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  14. ↑ "Kim Kardashian Hints Kanye West Will Drop New Music Every Friday, Starting Today | News". Pitchfork . January 8, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  15. ↑ Robertson, Iyana (January 18, 2016). "Kanye West Officially Returns To His Zone On 'No More Parties In L.A.' Feat. Kendrick Lamar". Vibe . Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
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.