"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 the upcoming debut studio album Pretty Bitch Music.[2][3][4][5] 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,[6] while the second features Chinese rapper VaVa.[7] A third, with New Zealand rapper JessB and Australian singer Okenyo,[8] a fourth, with South Korean singer Jamie and South Korean/Japanese rapper Chanmina,[9] and fifth, with German rapper Katja Krasavice,[10] were also released.[11] 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

On December 4, 2020, "Best Friend" was released prematurely on streaming platforms.[12] Saweetie later took to social media to express her disappointment in her record label, Warner Records, in regards to handling the release.[13][14][15] 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.[16] "Best Friend" was then officially released on January 7, 2021 for digital download and streaming.[3][17] The track was sent to both contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on January 12, 2021.[18][19]

Composition and reception

The hip hop song was described as a "danceable",[20] "club-ready",[3] and "fun, uptempo record that celebrates friendship."[20] Lyrically, the rappers highlight and hype up each other's beauty, success, independence, wealth, and loyalty.[21][20]

Accolades

Critical rankings for "Best Friend"
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Pitchfork The 100 Best Songs of 2021 54 [22]

Music video

Filmed in November 2020, The Dave Meyers directed music video was released alongside the song on January 7, 2021.[21] 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.[23] The video also features an appearance from Canadian comedian King Bach.[24] Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone noted that they call out misogyny and celebrate camaraderie in the music video.[3][5] Upon release, Saweetie was accused of stealing the concept of the music video from "BFF" by R&B duo Ceraadi.[25] As of November 2022, the music video has 241 million views on YouTube.

Usage in media

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

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[56] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[57] Platinum 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[59] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various January 7, 2021
Original
[60]
United States January 12, 2021 Contemporary hit radio Warner [18]
Rhythmic contemporary [19]
Various March 5, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Stefflon Don remix
[6]
March 19, 2021 Remixes[a] [61]
April 23, 2021 [62]

Footnotes

  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

  1. ^ https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/saweetie-and-doja-cat-are-double-trouble-in-best-friend-visual-new-song.1989865.html%3f_amp[dead link]
  2. ^ Renshaw, David (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie recruits Doja Cat on "Best Friend"". The Fader. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Legaspi, Althea (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie, Doja Cat Celebrate Camaraderie in 'Best Friend' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & Stefflon Don) - Single by Saweetie". March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  7. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & VaVa) [Official Audio], retrieved April 26, 2021
  8. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat, JessB & OKENYO) [Official Lyric Video], retrieved April 26, 2021
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat & Katja Krasavice) [Lyric Video], retrieved April 26, 2021
  11. ^ Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) [Remix EP] [Extended Edition], April 23, 2021, retrieved April 26, 2021
  12. ^ Kaufman, Gil (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie Says She's 'Disappointed' at Her Label For Releasing Doja Cat Collaboration 'Prematurely'". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Mench, Chris (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie Calls Out Her Label For Dropping Doja Cat Collaboration Early". Genius. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  15. ^ Moorwood, Victoria (December 4, 2020). "Saweetie slams label for releasing Doja Cat collaboration early". Revolt. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
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  21. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie Hypes Up Her 'Best Friend' Doja Cat in Bouncy New Collab". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  22. ^ Hope, Clover (December 6, 2021). "The 100 Best Songs of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  23. ^ Bloom, Madison (January 7, 2021). "Saweetie and Doja Cat Share Video for New Song "Best Friend"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (January 8, 2021). "Saweetie Connects With Doja Cat for "Best Friend" Video". Complex. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
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  34. ^ "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.
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  38. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202116 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
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  57. ^ "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.
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