GOOD Fridays

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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.

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<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

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<i>Watch the Throne</i> 2011 studio album by Kanye West and Jay-Z

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"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold (Kanye West song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West featuring DJ Khaled

"Cold" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the second single from the album Cruel Summer (2012). The song, which features DJ Khaled, was made available for purchase on the iTunes Store on April 17, 2012. Songwriting is credited to West, Chauncey Hollis, James Todd Smith and Marlon Williams, while production was handled by Hit-Boy. Lyrically, the song features West boasting about his personal issues and touching on subjects such as his relationship with Kim Kardashian, his breakup with Amber Rose, and his feelings on Wiz Khalifa and Kris Humphries. Additional vocals are included from DJ Pharris. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised West's lyrical performance and the boldness of his subject matter. The song contains an interpolation of "Lookin' at Me" (1997) as performed by Mase and Puff Daddy, and a sample of "Illegal Search" (1990) also performed by LL Cool J.

"Hell of a Life" 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, Mike Caren, Ernest Wilson and Mike Dean. The song features a number of samples and contains backing vocals by Teyana Taylor, signed to West's G.O.O.D. Music label. The song features a production style with influence from rock and heavy metal music, and is notably bombastic and aggressive in nature. The song expresses a narrative about West marrying a pornographic film actress and the traumatic events that follow. It employs highly sexual, nightmarish imagery, and was inspired by West's relationship with model Amber Rose among other real-life events.

<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

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