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Best Friend (Saweetie song)

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"Best Friend"
Single by Saweetie featuring Doja Cat
from the album Pretty Bitch Music
ReleasedJanuary 7, 2021
Recorded2020
Genre
Length2:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Saweetie singles chronology
"Back to the Streets"
(2020) 		"Best Friend"
(2021) 		"Slow Clap"
(2021)
Doja Cat singles chronology
"Baby, I'm Jealous"
(2020) 		"Best Friend"
(2021) 		"34+35" (remix)
(2021)
Alternative cover
Cover art for Stefflon Don remix. The remixes EP also uses this cover art, but with "Remix EP" or "Remix EP (Expanded Edition)" on the bottom-right corner of the "Best Friend" text.
Music video
"Best Friend" on YouTube

"Best Friend" is a song by American rapper Saweetie featuring fellow American rapper and singer Doja Cat, released on January 7, 2021 as the third single from Saweetie's upcoming debut studio album Pretty Bitch Music.[1][2][3][4] The song was written by the two performers along with Asia Smith, Kaine, Theron Thomas, and producers Dr. Luke and Rocco Did It Again!.

The song's first official remix features vocals from British rapper Stefflon Don,[5] while the second features Chinese rapper VaVa.[6] A third, with New Zealand rapper JessB and Australian singer Okenyo,[7] a fourth, with South Korean singer Jamie and South Korean/Japanese rapper Chanmina,[8] and fifth, with German rapper Katja Krasavice,[9] were also released.[10] The latter debuted at number one in Germany, becoming the first number-one single there for both Saweetie and Doja Cat. The single also won Saweetie her first Video Music Award for Best Art Direction. The song also received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and release

[edit]

On December 4, 2020, "Best Friend" was released prematurely on streaming platforms.[11] Saweetie later took to social media to express her disappointment in her record label, Warner Records, in regards to handling the release.[12][13][14] She stated: "I am extremely disappointed in my label WBR for prematurely releasing a single I was so excited about. I feel disrespected. I'm hands on with ALL of my creative & had such a dope rollout for 'best friends'. The thirst for clout & $ is real & it overrides the artists' art." The single was later taken off streaming services the following day.[15] "Best Friend" was then officially released on January 7, 2021 for digital download and streaming.[2][16] The track was sent to both contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on January 12, 2021.[17][18]

Composition and reception

[edit]

The hip hop song was described as a "danceable",[19] "club-ready",[2] and "fun, uptempo record that celebrates friendship."[19] Lyrically, the rappers highlight and hype up each other's beauty, success, independence, wealth, and loyalty.[20][19]

Accolades

[edit]
Critical rankings for "Best Friend"
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Pitchfork The 100 Best Songs of 2021 54 [21]

Music video

[edit]

Filmed in November 2020, The Dave Meyers directed music video was released alongside the song on January 7, 2021.[20] The video consists of Saweetie and Doja Cat in various settings including driving and posing in front of a bedazzled Tesla as well as jumping off of a cliff into the ocean.[22] The video also features an appearance from Canadian comedian King Bach.[23] Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone noted that they call out misogyny and celebrate camaraderie in the music video.[2][4] Upon release, Saweetie was accused of stealing the concept of the music video from "BFF" by R&B duo Ceraadi.[24] As of June 2024, the music video has reached 300 million views on YouTube.

Usage in media

[edit]

The song was used in the official trailers for the 2022 Disney+ film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[55] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[56] Platinum 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[58] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various January 7, 2021
Original
[59]
United States January 12, 2021 Contemporary hit radio Warner [17]
Rhythmic contemporary [18]
Various March 5, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Stefflon Don remix
[5]
March 19, 2021 Remixes[a] [60]
April 23, 2021 [61]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Remixes EP released on March 19, 2021, included original version of the song, previously released Stefflon Don remix, as well as remixes featuring VaVa or JessB with Okenyo. The remix EP released on April 23, 2021, was dubbed as "Extended Edition" and included afromentioned versions in addition of renditions featuring Katja Krasavice or Chanmina, and remixes by Party Pupils and Kito.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Renshaw, David (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie recruits Doja Cat on "Best Friend"". The Fader. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Legaspi, Althea (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie, Doja Cat Celebrate Camaraderie in 'Best Friend' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  3. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie and Doja Cat Hit the Town in a Bedazzled Tesla in Their New "Best Friend" Music Video". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Haylock, Zoe (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie and Doja Cat Just Gave Us a Girls' Night In Banger, 'Best Friend'". Vulture. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & Stefflon Don) - Single by Saweetie". March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  6. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & VaVa) [Official Audio], March 18, 2021, retrieved April 26, 2021
  7. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat, JessB & OKENYO) [Official Lyric Video], March 18, 2021, retrieved April 26, 2021
  8. ^ ちゃんみな、スウィーティーと「ベスト・フレンド feat. ドージャ・キャット」で初コラボ. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & Katja Krasavice) [Lyric Video], April 22, 2021, retrieved April 26, 2021
  10. ^ Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) [Remix EP] [Extended Edition], April 23, 2021, retrieved April 26, 2021
  11. ^ Kaufman, Gil (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie Says She's 'Disappointed' at Her Label For Releasing Doja Cat Collaboration 'Prematurely'". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Mier, Tomás (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie Says She Feels 'Disrespected' After Label Posts Collab with Doja Cat 'Prematurely'". People. ISSN 0093-7673. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. ^ Mench, Chris (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie Calls Out Her Label For Dropping Doja Cat Collaboration Early". Genius. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  14. ^ Moorwood, Victoria (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie slams label for releasing Doja Cat collaboration early". Revolt. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  15. ^ Meara, Paul (December 5, 2020). "Saweetie Feels 'Disrespected' After Label Posts Doja Cat Collab Early". BET. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)", Spotify, January 7, 2021, retrieved January 11, 2021
  17. ^ a b "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Top 40/Rhythmic-Crossover > Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c McKinney, Jessica (January 8, 2021). "Best New Music This Week: Saweetie, Westside Gunn, Dsvn, and More". Complex. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie Hypes Up Her 'Best Friend' Doja Cat in Bouncy New Collab". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Hope, Clover (December 6, 2021). "The 100 Best Songs of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  22. ^ Bloom, Madison (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie and Doja Cat Share Video for New Song "Best Friend"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie Connects With Doja Cat for "Best Friend" Video". Complex. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie Responds to Ceraadi's Accusations She Stole "Best Friend" Concept". Complex. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. ^ "Saweetie feat. Doja Cat – Best Friend". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  26. ^ "Saweetie feat. Doja Cat & Katja Krasavice – Best Friend (Remix)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  27. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  28. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  29. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  30. ^ "Saweetie feat. Doja Cat & Katja Krasavice – Best Friend (Remix)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  31. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 14/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  33. ^ "2021 18-os SAVAITĖS (balandžio 30 d. – gegužės 6 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 7, 2021. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  34. ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  35. ^ "Saweetie feat. Doja Cat – Best Friend". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  36. ^ Arvunescu, Victor (March 1, 2021). "Top Airplay 100 - Început de primăvară, cu Alina Eremia pe primul loc!" [Top Airplay 100 – Beginning of spring, with Alina Eremia on the top!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202116 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  38. ^ "Saweetie feat. Doja Cat & Katja Krasavice – Best Friend (Remix)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  40. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  41. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  42. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  43. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  44. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  45. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  46. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  47. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  48. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  49. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  50. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  51. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  52. ^ "Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  53. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  54. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  55. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Saweetie – Best Friend". Music Canada. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  56. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 21, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Best Friend in the search box.
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Saweetie ft Doja Cat – Best Friend". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  58. ^ "American single certifications – Saweetie – Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  59. ^ "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) - Single by Saweetie", Apple Music, January 8, 2021, retrieved January 11, 2021
  60. ^ "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) [Remix EP] by Saweetie". March 19, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021 – via Apple Music.[permanent dead link‍]
  61. ^ "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) [Remixes] [Extended Edition] - Single by Saweetie". April 23, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Apple Music.
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