Songfacts®:

• "On The Radar Freestyle" marks the first time Drake and UK rapper Central Cee have teamed up for a song. The track came about when the two visited the New York City-based hip-hop radio station Power 105.1, where Gabe P is the host of On The Radar, a platform that features interviews and freestyles with up-and-coming rappers. On The Radar is a major platform for spotlighting artists coming out of New York's drill scene and has helped to launch the careers of several rising stars.
• Drake announced the track on July 20, 2023 on his Instagram. "A little exercise on a off day... me and Cench at on The Radar radio loading," Drake wrote underneath their promo photo. Later that day, Drake announced "On The Radar Freestyle" would be released the following day.
• Drake and Central Cee have had a good relationship since meeting in 2021 when Cench was a model for Drake's Nike x Nocta collection. The West London MC performed his UK hit "Doja" during the Toronto rapper's private concert in St. Barts in December 2022. The following month, Central appeared in the video for Drake's Her Loss single "Jumbotron S--t Poppin."
• Central Cee had previously teased a Drake collaboration in an unreleased extended version of "Doja."
  
  Ear to the street and I heard them say that
  Central Cee got a verse from Drake
  They lied if they said that they weren't afraid
• Drake kicks off the song. He spits about cruising round his Toronto hood, no protection needed as his crew's got his back. They've been hustling since Justin Bieber's hometown days when Drake was killing it on Degrassi.
  
  He's puzzled why ladies chase "obedient guys, jokers and comedian guys" when he's got it all – over 6 feet tall, rocking sold-out shows they all attend.
  
  Later, Drake calls out the haters, drawing parallels to Jesus' betrayal by Judas Iscariot. He implies that evil intentions and envy played a part in Jesus' crucifixion. The MC also refers to the assassination of Julius Caesar, which shows how jealousy can lead to a powerful figure's downfall.
• Central Cee steps up to the mic halfway through. He's fed up with fake folks shedding fake tears and lying about their faith.
  
  Crocodile tears, she ain't even crying
  Why you swearing to God? You don't even believe in Christ
  What you sayin' wallahi for? You ain't been on your deen, you've been eating swine
  
  Cench goes on to flaunt his rapid success and the stacks of cash he's made. Rolling in money like NFL players, splurging on Audemars Piguet watches with dazzling 18-karat diamonds.
• Harley Arsenault and Kid Masterpiece created the beat. Arsenault previously co-produced Drake's Certified Lover Boy tracks "TSU," "N 2 Deep" and "IMY2." Kid Masterpiece produced some of Drizzy's work during the COVID lockdown, including "Major Distribution," "Seeing Green" and "Flight's Booked." He also worked on "N 2 Deep."