Freaks

Album: Excuse My French (2013)
Charted: 77
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This dancehall-flavored track was released as the second single from Excuse My French, It premiered on Hot 97 on February 13, 2013 and was released to iTunes the next day.
  • Montana revealed to Rap-Up.com that the song was originally intended for Wale. "Wale like my brother. He had it first, so one day he played it for me. I said, 'Yo, can I have it?'" said French. "Him just being my brother and really just wanting to see me do good, he gave it to me. Thank you, Wale."
  • The song features Nicki Minaj. Montana told Billboard magazine: "Nicki Minaj being from my home town, we were talking about doing something together, and this record was it. I wanted to do something different, especially with Nicki on the record with me, and Rico Love produced it. The game hasn't had a dancehall song, a Jamaican song like this in so long, and Nicki being from Trinidad and me being from Morocco, that record is international."
  • This samples both Li'l Vicious Destination Brooklyn track of the same title and Chaka Demus & Pliers' 1994 single "Murder She Wrote." Rico Love told Rap-Up.com: "We put two together and made a fusion, made a marriage."
  • The Eif Rivera-directed video is set in vibrant house party with French Montana and Nicki Minaj reveling amongst gyrating dancers and, curvaceous models. French explained to MTV News that he wanted to combine the song's Caribbean energy with a Hip-Hop twist.
  • The song only achieved middling sales, peaking at #77 on the Hot 100. French later admitted to Billboard magazine that he made a mistake switching up his sound for this reggae-inspired tune. "When you go to the club and every record they're playing is yours, you try to go left, and I made that mistake," he said. "Jay Z told me he once made that same mistake too. Your first album you never know what's going on with the business and labels. The second one you're like, 'F--- this.' You get the ball in your own court."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.