"Super Freak" | ||||
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Single by Rick James | ||||
from the album Street Songs | ||||
B-side | "Super Freak (instrumental)" | |||
Released | August 1981 [1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Gordy | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Rick James | |||
Rick James singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Super Freak" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Super Freak" |
"Super Freak" is a 1981 single produced and performed by American singer Rick James. The song,co-written by James and Alonzo Miller,was first released on James' fifth album, Street Songs (1981) and became one of James' signature songs. "Freak" is a slang term for the sexually adventurous,as described in the song's lyrics,"She's a very kinky girl / The kind you don't take home to mother". Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song number 477 in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004, [7] number 481 in 2010,and number 153 in an updated list in 2021. [8] The song was nominated for the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 1982 Grammys. [9] The song has been sampled by MC Hammer in 1990,and by Nicki Minaj in 2022. [10]
"Super Freak" was recorded with other tracks for the Street Songs album during December 1980 –January 1981 at the Record Plant,in Sausalito,California and Motown / Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios,Hollywood,California. It features background vocals from James' Motown labelmates the Temptations—whose bass singer,Melvin Franklin,was one of James's idols—and Canadian singer Taborah Johnson. The tenor saxophone solo is by Stone City Band member Daniel LeMelle. James' improvised lyrics were later toned down by Los Angeles DJ Alonzo Miller,who received co-writing credit. James apparently was not particularly excited about the song,but reputedly wanted to have something on the album that "white folks could dance to." [11]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [23] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [24] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [25] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
"Superfreak" | ||||
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Single by Beatfreakz | ||||
Released | 2006 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | House | |||
Length | 3:25 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Beatfreakz | |||
Beatfreakz singles chronology | ||||
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In 2006, Dutch music group Beatfreakz covered the song as "Superfreak" and released it as a single. This cover reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Finland and Hungary.
Dutch CD single [26]
UK 12-inch single [27]
| UK CD1 [28]
UK CD2 [29]
|
Credits are lifted from the Dutch and UK CD1 liner notes. [26] [28]
Studios
Personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Netherlands | 2006 | CD | Spinnin' | [26] |
United Kingdom | 9 October 2006 |
| Data | [50] |
The predominant riff of the song was most popularly sampled in 1990 by MC Hammer in "U Can't Touch This". [51] The song would then be sampled by American musical group Black Eyed Peas in their 2020 single “Vida Loca", and was later sampled by Nicki Minaj in her 2022 single, "Super Freaky Girl". [10] Minaj previously appeared in the remix of Big Sean's "Dance (A$$)" (2011), which sampled "U Can't Touch This". [52]
"Somebody's Watching Me" is a song recorded and written by American singer Rockwell, released by the Motown label in December 1983, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. It features guest vocals by Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson and Norman Dozier. The song became a major commercial success internationally, topping the charts in Belgium, France, and Spain, and reaching the top 5 in Canada, West Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. In the UK, it reached No. 6 and is Rockwell's only top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stone magazine called the song "an international and enduring smash hit that, more than 30 years later, remains the perennial paranoia-rock anthem and Halloween mix go-to song."
"U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released as the third single from his third album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (1990), and has been considered his signature song. Along with Hammer, Rick James shares songwriting credits with Alonzo Miller, as the song samples the prominent opening riff of James' 1981 single "Super Freak". The song has been used and referred to in many television shows, films, commercials, and other forms of media. It has also received multiple awards and recognition.
"Move Your Feet" is a song by Danish pop duo Junior Senior from their debut studio album, D-D-Don't Don't Stop the Beat (2002). The song, originally released in June 2002 in the duo's native Denmark, was issued worldwide in 2003 and became Junior Senior's biggest hit, reaching No. 4 in Denmark, No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and No. 20 in Australia. A music video for the song, directed by British art collective Shynola, was created using low-resolution pixel art. The song was sampled in Nicki Minaj's 2023 song "Everybody".
"Freak Like Me" is a song by American R&B singer Adina Howard, released on January 25, 1995 by East West and Lola Waxx, as the debut single from her first album, Do You Wanna Ride? (1995). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, as well as number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for four weeks, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies. Its music video was directed by Hype Williams. In 2023, Billboard ranked "Freak Like Me" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time". The song has been covered by several artists, including British girl group Sugababes, who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their version in 2002.
Beatfreakz were a Dutch house group consisting of members Dennis Christopher, Dimitrie Siliakus and Mark Simmons. For a period of time, Errol Lafleur was also part of the group.
"Get Ur Freak On" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written and produced by Elliott and Timbaland for her third studio album Miss E... So Addictive (2001). Based on heavy bhangra elements, a popular music and dance form from the region of Punjab in India, the song features a six-note base that is a Punjabi melody played on a tumbi and rhythm and bassline played on tabla.
"Baby Can I Hold You" is the third single released by American contemporary folk artist Tracy Chapman, released in October 1988. The song reached the top 50 in the United States, unlike its predecessor, "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", but it failed to become Chapman's second top 40 hit, peaking at number 48. It did, however, give her a second chart entry on the US Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at number 19 in early 1989. Given the commercial decline Chapman suffered following the release of her second album Crossroads, "Baby Can I Hold You" also became her last top 50 hit until 1996's "Give Me One Reason". In July 1990, the song reached number one in Portugal. Chapman re-released the song in 2001, in support of her first greatest hits album Collection.
"Moment 4 Life" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on December 7, 2010 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Motown as the fourth single from Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). The song was produced by T-Minus and written by both artists. Sonically, it is a hip hop song that lyrically relates to maintaining a feeling of accomplishment and enjoying the moment.
"Fly" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on August 30, 2011 by Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown and Universal Republic as the eighth and final single from Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). The song was released as the eighth and final single from the album on August 30, 2011. The track was written by Kevin Hissink, Will Jordan, J.R. Rotem, Clemm Rishad and Minaj herself, while production was helped by Rotem and Hissink. The song is inspired by the emotion of soaring above and overcoming all stereotypes and negativity, to come out victorious.
"Turn Me On" is a song by French DJ David Guetta from his fifth studio album Nothing but the Beat. Vocals are provided by rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, whose second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded features the song as a bonus song on its deluxe version. It was written by Ester Dean, David Guetta and Giorgio Tuinfort, with a rap written by Minaj.
"Dance (Ass)", often stylized "Dance (A$$)", is a song by American rapper Big Sean, released as the third single from his debut studio album, Finally Famous (2011). It was added to urban radio formats on September 20, 2011 as the album's third official single. The official remix of the song features Nicki Minaj. It samples MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This", which in turn samples Rick James's single "Super Freak".
"Barbie World" is a song by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj and American rapper Ice Spice from Barbie the Album, the soundtrack of the film Barbie (2023). It was released by Atlantic Records, 10K Projects, and Capitol Records as the soundtrack's third single on June 23, 2023, and was serviced to United States radio on June 27, 2023. The song heavily samples the 1997 single "Barbie Girl" by Danish Europop band Aqua, who are credited as performers and co-writers in the song.
"Give Me All Your Luvin'" is a song by American singer Madonna from her twelfth studio album, MDNA (2012). It features guest vocals by Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj and English rapper M.I.A. The song was written and produced by Madonna and Martin Solveig, with additional writing by M.I.A., Minaj and Michael Tordjman. After working with Solveig on one song, Madonna continued recording others including "Give Me All Your Luvin'". Madonna chose to work with M.I.A. and Minaj on the track since she felt they were both strong women with unique voices. She also liked their music and what they represented.
"Starships" is a song by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on the date February 14, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic as the lead single from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The song was written by Nicki Minaj, Nadir Khayat, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, Bilal Hajji, and Wayne Hector, and it was produced by RedOne, Yacoub, and Falk.
"Freaks" is a song by American hip hop recording artist French Montana and features Nicki Minaj. It was released on February 14, 2013, as the second single from his debut studio album Excuse My French (2013). The song was produced by Rico Love and Earl & E from Division 1.
"Anaconda" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 4, 2014 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic as the second single from her third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014). The song was produced by Polow da Don, DJ Spydr, and Da Internz, and prominently samples "Baby Got Back" (1992) by Sir Mix-a-Lot. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest charting single at the time. The song also peaked within the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, top forty in Austria, France and Portugal and top fifty in Czech Republic.
"Hey Mama" is a song recorded by French record producer David Guetta featuring Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, American singer Bebe Rexha and co-production by Dutch record producer Afrojack. The song was released on 16 March 2015, as the fourth single from Guetta's sixth studio album, Listen (2014). It was produced by David Guetta, Afrojack, and Giorgio Tuinfort, who also wrote the song with Rexha, Minaj, Ester Dean, and Sean Douglas. American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax is also credited as a writer, as the track samples his recording of "Rosie", a field holler sung by an Afro-American chain gang at the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
"Swish Swish" is a song by American singer Katy Perry featuring Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj from the former's fifth studio album Witness. The song was initially released as a promotional single on May 19, 2017, and later as the album's third single. The house-inspired EDM and hip hop song was written alongside Sarah Hudson, Starrah, producer Duke Dumont, and additional producer PJ "Promnite" Sledge, with Roland Clark receiving writing credits for the sampling of his song "I Get Deep", and Noah "Mailbox" Passovoy receiving additional and vocal production credits.
"Super Freaky Girl" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj from her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2 (2023). It was released on August 12, 2022, by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records as the lead single from the album. It is an upbeat, raunchy song that samples Rick James' 1981 single "Super Freak," as Minaj raps about a girl having sexual fantasies and endeavors, while also boasting about her career. It received comparisons to Minaj's 2014 single "Anaconda," as both tracks include classic samples and sexual lyrics.
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