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Get Ur Freak On

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This article is about the 2001 song by Missy Elliott. For the 1995 album by Rare Essence, see Get Your Freak On.

"Get Ur Freak On"
Single by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
from the album Miss E... So Addictive
ReleasedMarch 13, 2001 (2001-03-13)
StudioWestlake (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length3:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Timbaland
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott singles chronology
"Is That Yo Chick"
(2000) 		"Get Ur Freak On"
(2001) 		"Lick Shots"
(2001)
Music video
"Get Ur Freak On" on YouTube

"Get Ur Freak On" is a song by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" 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,[2] the song features a six-note base that is a Punjabi melody played on a tumbi and rhythm and bassline played on tabla.[3]

Released as the album's first single on March 13, 2001, the track reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Internationally, "Get Ur Freak On" became a top-10 success in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where it became her first solo top-10 hit, peaking at number four. A remix of the song featuring Nelly Furtado was a dance club hit during this period. On the Billboard magazine issue dated February 21, 2015, "Get Ur Freak On" re-entered at number 40, more than a decade after its original chart run. This re-entry was spawned by Missy Elliott's performance at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show that occurred earlier in the month.

Background and promotion

[edit]

At the beginning of the song, a man says in Japanese: 「これからみんなでめちゃくちゃ踊って騒ごう、騒ごう。」 "Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou". Translated into English, it means: "Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let's make some noise, let's make some noise." Before the second chorus (after Missy says "Let me throw you some"), the song samples German artist Karunesh’s song “Solitude” from the album Global Spirit. The outro of the song features the man who speaks Japanese saying "Ichi, ni, san, shi", translating to "One, two, three, four."

Critical reception and legacy

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"Get Ur Freak On" is widely considered one of Missy Elliott's best songs. Stereogum and Paste ranked the song number one and number two, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest Missy Elliott Songs.[4][5] In 2011, the song was listed 14th on Rolling Stone's Best Songs of the 2000s.[6] In 2004 and 2010, it was ranked at number 466 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[7] In the 2021 reranking, it was ranked at number eight.[8] In 2002, "Get Ur Freak On" was named the best single released in the year 2001 by The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual year-end critics' poll. The song also lists at number seven on Pitchfork Media's Top 500 Songs of the 2000s and number 16 on VH1's Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop. In 2011, NME placed it at number 17 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[9] In April 2014, the song was remixed with the Black Keys' song "Keep Me" for the original soundtrack to Neighbors (2014).[10]

In 2002, "Get Ur Freak On" won Elliott the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, beating out fellow nominees "Because I Got High" (Afroman), "Who We Be" (DMX), "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" (Jay-Z), and "Ride wit Me" (Nelly).

Music video

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"Get Ur Freak On" marked the first time that Elliott would team up with director Dave Meyers, who would become a frequent collaborator on subsequent projects.[11] Elliott, a fan of his work, decided to consult Meyers after she had taken him to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in theatre.[11] Nadine "Hi-Hat" Ruffin served as the videos's choreographer.[12] In "Get Ur Freak On," Elliott's dancers throw shapes in "some kind of industrial underworld – crouched on concrete blocks, hanging upside down like bats,"[12] whilte Elliott herself act both "queenly and cartoonish: craning her head from her body; swinging from a chandelier; and in one memorably trippy, Matrix-like effect, spitting long-distance into a male dancer's mouth."[12] Rappers Ludacris, LL Cool J, Timbaland, Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes, Master P, Spliff Star, Lil' Romeo, Eve, Nate Dogg and singer Nicole Wray make cameo appearances in the video.[12]

Track listings

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Get Ur Freak On"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[56] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Get Ur Freak On"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States March 13, 2001 Urban contemporary radio
[57][58]
March 20, 2001 Rhythmic contemporary radio [59]
United Kingdom April 16, 2001
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [60][61]
Australia May 21, 2001 CD [62]

Cover versions

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American rock band Eels also released a version of "Get Ur Freak On" on Meet the Eels: Essential Eels Vol. I, having frequently performed it live during the Shootenanny! tour several years previously.

  • On the comedy show Fonejacker, the track was parodied by Kayvan Novak as he tried to get "Sounds of the Universe" record shop manager Jon Burnip, to identify the track by singing the tune with nonsensical lyrics.[63]
  • In Britney Spears' Britney: Piece of Me revamped Vegas residency show, "Get Ur Freak On" was performed as a medley along with other Elliott songs.
  • Though not covered, the melody of the song was sampled in the song “ILoveYourAunt” by American rappers A$AP Ferg and $ki Mask the Slump God.
  • Japanese experimental music group Satanicpornocultshop sampled lyrics from "Get Ur Freak On" in their 2010 songs "[r.i.p.] Tide" and " Pinky."
  • During James Corden's Carpool Karaoke segment Michelle Obama rapped with Missy Elliott "Get Ur Freak On".[64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rolling Stone Staff (June 28, 2018). "The 100 Greatest Songs of the Century – So Far". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 31, 2023. But this stuttering, avant-garde, trans-continental experiment hit the Top 10 in 2001.
  2. ^ [1] Archived April 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003.
  4. ^ Patrin, Nate (March 3, 2015). "The 10 Best Missy Elliott Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Jon (July 18, 2017). "The 10 Best Missy Elliott Songs". Paste. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "100 Best Songs of the 2000s". Rolling Stone. June 17, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  7. ^ [2] Archived June 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years". NME.COM. October 6, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "iTunes - Music - Neighbors (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists". iTunes. Apple.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Reilly, Dan (August 26, 2019). "How Missy Elliott's Music Videos Influenced a Generation, According to the Man Who Directed 11 of Them". Fortune.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Haider, Arwa (April 9, 2024). "Get Ur Freak On: Missy Elliott's career-defining song, as the rap legend announces her first headlining tour". bbc.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Get Ur Freak On (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. 67190-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Get Ur Freak On (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. E7206T, 7559-67255-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Get Ur Freak On (UK CD single liner notes). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. E7206CD, 7559-67206-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Get Ur Freak On (UK cassette single sleeve). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. E7206C, 7559-67206-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Get Ur Freak On (European CD single liner notes). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. 7559-67207-5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Get Ur Freak On (Australian CD single liner notes). Missy Elliott. Elektra Records, The Goldmind Inc. 2001. 7559672262.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  20. ^ "Issue 593" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  22. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  23. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  24. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  25. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 19. May 5, 2001. p. 19. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  26. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  27. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  28. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Get Ur Freak On". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  29. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  30. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 19, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  31. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  34. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  35. ^ "Missy %22Misdemeanor%22 Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  36. ^ "Missy Elliott: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  38. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  39. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  40. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  41. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  42. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  43. ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  44. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  45. ^ "Rapports annuels 2001" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  46. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on January 26, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  47. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  48. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  49. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  50. ^ "Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2001" (PDF). Music Week. January 19, 2002. p. 26. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  51. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2001". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  52. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  53. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
  54. ^ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 48.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  56. ^ "American single certifications – Missy Elliott – Get Your Freak On". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  57. ^ Kenon, Marci (April 14, 2001). "Elliott's Third Album Is 'So Addictive'" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 15. p. 36. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  58. ^ "AddVance Notice" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1392. March 9, 2001. p. 80. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  59. ^ "Gavin Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2335. February 16, 2001. p. 74.
  60. ^ Thomas, Gareth (April 18, 2001). "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 18. p. 12. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  61. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting April 16, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 14, 2001. p. 29. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  62. ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st May 2001" (PDF). ARIA. May 21, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  63. ^ "YouTube". Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2014 – via YouTube.
  64. ^ Michelle Obama raps Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" on Carpool Karaoke and it's so friggin' good
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