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Lil Freak

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"Lil Freak"
Song

"Lil Freak" is a song by American recording artist Usher with guest vocals by American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was released as the second United States-only single from his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond, on iTunes on March 2, 2010.[1] Its hook is based around a manipulated sample of American soul musician Stevie Wonder's 1973 hit, "Living for the City". The song, lyrically based around the thrill of orchestrating ménage à trois in a club, is of more explicit nature than most typical Usher songs, dating back to 2001's "U Don't Have to Call".

Background

In an interview with MTV News when asked if he was just entertaining, Usher said the song was based on real life, stating, "Yeah, I mean, I wrote about it. It happens in this day and time. Those are the best chicks to be friends with, honestly.[2]

Composition

"Lil Freak"
A 30 second sample of "Lil Freak" featuring Usher singing the song's chorus, and the intro of Nicki Minaj's verse..
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song is midtempo, with supported by heavy bass beats produced by Polow da Don, which Prefix Magazine called "Jurrasic Park synths". Chris Ryan MTV News said "Usher pairs off with current queen MC Nicki Minaj, and the two glide over Polow Da Don's minimal bass beat."[3] AOL said that the "heavy back-beat tune confirms Usher's old ways: "Yeah you the business / So What's the business / Don't be shy, I'm just talkin' to you girl."[4] Pitchfork Media called the heavily manipulated "Living for the City" sample, "a monstrous swirl of orchestral exoticism".[5] Minaj makes several puns in her lines, one of them referring to Santa's reindeer in a runthrough which Prefix Magazine reviewed negatively.[6] She also refers to P. Diddy and Cassie in her lines, that she's "ploting on taking Cassie away from Diddy".[5]

Critical reception

Andrew Winistorfer of Prefix Magazine thought that Usher should have went with "Lil Freak" as the album's first big single, saying, "It (OMG) doesn't come close to matching the filthy heights of "Little Freak [sic]..."[7] He also said the song was "by a wide margin, the best track to be leaked from Usher's long-delayed Raymond vs. Raymond album."[8] In his initial reaction, he pointed out flaws of the song, but said that the song "could become unavoidable if it gets traction on radio."[6] Chris Ryan of MTV News called the song, "slick, sexy hip-hop-infused R&B done to its finest." He also called the song "nothing short of freak nasty," and "is so full of sexy sexuality that it's enough to make Tiger Woods blush."[3] Vibe magazine commented that "wedding ring is definitely off on this Usher cut", and that Nicki Minaj stole the scene in the song.[9] Pitchfork Media compared the song to "R. Kelly-esque devotional hymn to sexual addiction", and said that "The whole towering mess makes a drunken 3 a.m. threesome sound like the most epic endeavor anyone could hope for.." The review also compared the song to Justin Timberlake's Cry Me a River, stating, "it pushes into "Cry Me a River" territory for the same reason that "Cry Me a River" transcended: the gigantic, operatic backing track."[5]

Music video

Usher in front of a backdrop with Minaj and dancing and being flaunted by dancers.

Usher and Minaj shot the music video on March 9, 2010 in Los Angeles with director Taj Stansberry. [10] In an interview with MTV News on the set of her video for "Massive Attack", Minaj said that "The video is freaky. And it's a great concept, a great story line, Nicki told MTV News. And it's a great concept, a great story line. It felt just like one of the sequels to 'Saw,' It was dope."[11] On March 22, 2010 a thirty second preview of the music video was surfaced onto the internet.[12] On March 24, 2010 the full music video premiered on BET's 106 & Park. R&B singer Ciara and singer/actor Jamie Foxx make appearances in the video.

The video begins with a woman walking in a underground tunnel, and she enters and elevator with Minaj, sporting a Cruella de Vil hairstyle, and other women.[2] The elevator goes to what MTV News calls "Usher's underground playground," then soon finds Usher against a wall.[2] A laptop is shown, and the video goes on to show people, including Ciara playing a casino game. Then, girls are performing choreography on poles, as Usher sings his verses on the wall in the tunnel. Nicki Minaj then comes to sing her verse and starts talking to the unknown woman who was in the tunnel with Usher, and then Minaj guides the woman somewhere. Usher sings the rest of the song on the wall in the tunnel with choreography from the women, until video fades out. Jamie Foxx makes a quick appearance in the video, with a red light on him.

Credits and personnel

Source [13]

Chart performance

On the week ending March 20, 2010, "Lil Freak" debuted at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100. It then fell to #66, but rebounded to #56. Then in the following week rose back up to #43.

Chart (2010) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] 40
U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[15] 8

References

  1. ^ "Lil Freak (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Single by Usher". iTunes. iTunes.apple.com. 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  2. ^ a b c Reid, Shaheem (2010-03-25). "Usher Dicusses Racy Lyrics On 'Lil Freak': 'It Happens'". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-03-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Ryan, Chris (2010-03-22). "Song You Need To Know: Usher, Featuring Nicki Minaj, 'Little Freak' (WARNING: NSFW)". MTV Buzzworthy. Retrieved 2010-03-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Anderson, Sara (2010-01-14). "Usher 'Little Freak' Feat. Nicki Minaj - New Song". AOL. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  5. ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (2010-01-14). "Pitchfork: Track Reviews: Usher - "Little Freak" [ft. Nicki Minaj]". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2010-03-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b ""Little Freak" f. Nicki Minaj (MP3)". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 2010-03-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Text "date-2010-01-06" ignored (help)
  7. ^ Winistorfer, Andrew. ""Oh My Gosh" f. Will.I.Am". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 2010-04-06. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Winistorfer, Andrew. ""Little Freak" f. Nicki Minaj (Video)". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 2010-04-06. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Singled Out: Usher Feat. Nicki Minaj "Lil Freak"". Vibe. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2010-03-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2010/03/09/new-music-jason-derulo-f-nicki-minaj-in-my-head-remix/
  11. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (2010-03-17). "Nicki Minaj Says Usher's 'Lil Freak' Video Is 'Dope'". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-03-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7j7WLX9FvI&feature=player_embedded
  13. ^ Usher Raymond v. Raymond Liner notes. LaFace Records (2010)
  14. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/artist/usher/chart-history/36758
  15. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?tag=chscr1#/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?begin=11&order=position
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