FDT (song)
| "FDT" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by YG featuring Nipsey Hussle | ||||
| from the album Still Brazy | ||||
| Released | March 30, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | DJ Swish | |||
| YG singles chronology | ||||
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| Nipsey Hussle singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "FDT" on YouTube | ||||
"FDT" (also known by its uncensored full title "Fuck Donald Trump") is a protest song by YG featuring Nipsey Hussle, and is the second single from YG's second studio album Still Brazy. The song is a criticism of the policies of the Republican candidate in the 2016 US presidential election, Donald Trump, who would eventually win the 2016 presidential election.
Recording
[edit]According to the rappers, the track was recorded in about an hour, and was inspired by Hussle's positive experience of working with Mexican immigrants to the US.[2] It begins with soundbites from several black protesters who were ejected from a Trump rally in Valdosta, Georgia.[3]
In April 2016, the LAPD shut down a video shoot for the song being filmed on the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and 71st Street, Los Angeles following a tip-off. There were no arrests, and a police spokesman later said there was no evidence of violence.[4] Footage from the police raid was included in the final video.[5]
According to YG, the US Secret Service attempted to halt the album's release because of the lyrical content of this song, but were unsuccessful, though a portion of the track was "blanked" before release.[6][7] YG considered dropping the track from the album, worrying it would not be released, but was persuaded by producer Steve-O Carless to keep it. The track as released has gaps where controversial lines were removed.[5][7]
The track contains a sample of "Somethin' To Ride To (Fonky Expedition)" by The Conscious Daughters.
Reception
[edit]The track became increasingly popular throughout 2016. YG called his summer tour to promote Still Brazy the "Fuck Donald Trump Tour" and the song was remixed by G-Eazy and Macklemore, featuring new verses criticizing Trump's comments on banning Muslims from the US.[7][8] Following the election, which saw Trump become president-elect, YG performed the song as the closing number in his set at the 2016 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival to a positive reception.[9]
The Los Angeles Times described "FDT" as, "the most prophetic, wrathful and unifying protest song of 2016."[1]
In early 2019, YG announced he planned to record another Trump-related diss song as a follow-up.[10]
In October 2020, a 44-year-old Texas man was filmed punching an anti-Trump protester who was playing the "FDT" song outside of a convenience store in Denton, Texas. The man who threw the punch was arrested.[11]
On November 7, 2020, the song topped the iTunes charts after Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election.[12]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[13] | 10 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] | 50 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b August Brown (November 17, 2016). "'I feel good for speaking up': YG on his 2016 protest anthem that goes after Donald Trump". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ "YG & Nipsey Hussle Discuss Their Anti-Donald Trump Track 'FDT' & Why 'Trump Is Not the Answer'". Billboard. April 1, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "YG & Nipsey Hussle Team for Anti-Trump Track 'FDT (F-ck Donald Trump)'". Billboard. March 30, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ^ "YG and Nipsey Hussle's 'FDT (F--- Donald Trump)' Video Shoot Shut Down By Cops". Billboard. April 4, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ a b Locket, Dee (June 16, 2016). "YG on His Anti-Trump Song Getting Censored, Black-on-Black Crime, and Life After Near-Death". Vulture. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ "YG Says Secret Service Reached Out Following Release of Anti-Trump Song, May Try to Take His Album Off Shelves". Billboard. April 27, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c "YG Talks Summer Protest Anthem 'FDT (F—k Donald Trump)'". Rolling Stone. September 1, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "YG Shares "FDT" (Fuck Donald Trump) Remix Featuring G-Eazy and Macklemore". Pitchfork. July 20, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ Cosores, Philip (November 15, 2016). "There's Really Nothing Quite Like Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "YG Announces "Fuck Donald Trump 2" Single". Hip Hop DX. January 16, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ "Trump Supporter Filmed Punching a Man Who Allegedly Refused to Stop Playing YG's FDT". Complex. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ "'F*** Donald Trump' song tops charts after Biden wins election". Independent.co.uk. November 8, 2020.
- ^ "YG Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "YG Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – YG – FDT". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 22, 2022.