Freak (Estelle song)
Encyclopedia
"Freak" is the first single from English musician Estelle
's third studio album All of Me. The song, which features Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall
, was produced by French DJ David Guetta
. It contains an interpolation of "Back to Life" by music group Soul II Soul
in the chorus. The single was released in North America on February 26, 2010 and was released in the UK on May 3, 2010 as a buzz single after the song failed to chart in the Top 100. The song was released as her third international single, after "American Boy
" and "Come Over
" and received positive reaction from most music critics. The song was used as one of the songs of the São Paulo Fashion Week
2010, during the parade of Colcci
and in the movie Step Up 3D in 2010.
s Melanie Bertoldi. She described the song as "wilder and freakier, and ultimately appealing," she went onto comment on Offishall's verse, stating "Kardinal Offishall jumps in for a silly verse that adds to the free-form fun." She finished the review positively, stating "the song's bridge ("I wanna hear you say," she coos) serve as the cherry atop this club-worthy treat." Dirrtyinc.com gave a positive review of the song, calling it "A fun song to sing along, Estelle definitely doesn’t disappointment ." Nick Levine from Digital Spy
rated it 4 stars and said, positively, that: "Fortunately, the track itself is almost as ear-snagging as the lyrics. Produced by David Guetta
- has he had a day off in the last 12 months? - this 'Freak' is a rubbery, club-ready electro-hop tune that lifts the chorus from Soul II Soul
's 'Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)' and turns it into a sexual invitation. So, however do we want it? Well, however Estelle wants to give it to us, to be honest".
that Estelle's latest video had been criticised online for apparently 'blacking up'. She was accused of 'blacking up' because of her decision to wear black make-up in the "Freak" video. When asked about the decision to wear black make-up she responded in saying "I think [people] need to wait to see the clip. I could defend myself, but it's just silly. I'm black, so how do I do blackface?" She went onto compare her video to Missy Elliott's
video for her 1999 single "She's a Bitch
" by saying that "Missy [Elliott] did the same thing [with her video] 'She's a Bitch'."
U.S. & UK "Remixes" Digital EP
Estelle (musician)
Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
's third studio album All of Me. The song, which features Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
, was produced by French DJ David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
. It contains an interpolation of "Back to Life" by music group Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
in the chorus. The single was released in North America on February 26, 2010 and was released in the UK on May 3, 2010 as a buzz single after the song failed to chart in the Top 100. The song was released as her third international single, after "American Boy
American Boy
"American Boy" is the second single from the album Shine by British R&B singer Estelle and features American rapper Kanye West. The song is her first international single...
" and "Come Over
Come Over (Estelle song)
"Come Over" is the fifth UK single and the second U.S. single from Estelle's second album Shine. A remix version of song was released featuring reggae artist Sean Paul. It was released to U.S. radio on September 15. It is available to download on UK iTunes.In the UK the digital download was...
" and received positive reaction from most music critics. The song was used as one of the songs of the São Paulo Fashion Week
São Paulo Fashion Week
The São Paulo Fashion Week is a fashion event, held at Ibirapuera Park, in São Paulo, notable as "Latin America's pre-eminent fashion event," according to one report. It began in 1996, when the event was known as Morumbi Fashion Brazil. It won the current name in January 2001. Today, the event is...
2010, during the parade of Colcci
Colcci
Colcci is a Brazilian fashion company. Established in 1986 in Brazil, Colcci operates in 31 countries, with 1,650 label stores and 9 franchise stores. Colcci's only U.S. store is based in New Jersey, but the company has boutiques in Guatemala, Spain, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, United Kingdom,...
and in the movie Step Up 3D in 2010.
Reception
The song received a positive review from BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Melanie Bertoldi. She described the song as "wilder and freakier, and ultimately appealing," she went onto comment on Offishall's verse, stating "Kardinal Offishall jumps in for a silly verse that adds to the free-form fun." She finished the review positively, stating "the song's bridge ("I wanna hear you say," she coos) serve as the cherry atop this club-worthy treat." Dirrtyinc.com gave a positive review of the song, calling it "A fun song to sing along, Estelle definitely doesn’t disappointment ." Nick Levine from Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
rated it 4 stars and said, positively, that: "Fortunately, the track itself is almost as ear-snagging as the lyrics. Produced by David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
- has he had a day off in the last 12 months? - this 'Freak' is a rubbery, club-ready electro-hop tune that lifts the chorus from Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
's 'Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)' and turns it into a sexual invitation. So, however do we want it? Well, however Estelle wants to give it to us, to be honest".
Controversy
On March 2, 2010 it was reported on British entertainment website Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
that Estelle's latest video had been criticised online for apparently 'blacking up'. She was accused of 'blacking up' because of her decision to wear black make-up in the "Freak" video. When asked about the decision to wear black make-up she responded in saying "I think [people] need to wait to see the clip. I could defend myself, but it's just silly. I'm black, so how do I do blackface?" She went onto compare her video to Missy Elliott's
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
video for her 1999 single "She's a Bitch
She's a Bitch
"She's a Bitch" is a song recorded by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott for her second album, Da Real World . Produced by Timbaland, it was released as the album's debut single, and despite an expensive music video directed by noted video director Hype Williams, the song peaked only at number 90 on the U.S...
" by saying that "Missy [Elliott] did the same thing [with her video] 'She's a Bitch'."
Track listings
U.S. Digital Single- "Freak" (Album Version) - 3:41
U.S. & UK "Remixes" Digital EP
- "Freak" (Riva Starr Extended Vocal Mix) - 6:16
- "Freak" (Riva Starr Dub) - 6:17
- "Freak" (Riva Starr Extended Instrumental) - 6:16
- "Freak" (Michael WoodsMichael Woods (producer)Michael Woods is a UK producer and remixer of various dance music genres, including electronic, trance and jazz. He has worked under the monikers Warrior, Accadia, M1 and M3.-History:...
Remix) - 7:01 - "Freak" (Plastik Funk Remix) - 5:54
- "Freak" (Plastik Funk's Listen & Repeat Mix) - 6:24
- "Freak" (Extended Version) - 4:52
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
83 |
| German Black Chart Deutsche Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts DBC, also known by various names including Deutsche Urban Charts and Deutsche Hip Hop/R&B/Dancehall Singles is a chart released weekly by Deutsche Trend Charts in Germany.... |
5 |
| U.S. Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
27 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
103 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | February 26, 2010 | Digital download | Atlantic Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... , Homeschool |
| Canada | |||
| United Kingdom | May 3, 2010 |