"Wasting Time"
Single by Brent Faiyaz featuring Drake and The Neptunes
from the album Wasteland
ReleasedJuly 1, 2021
Length5:01
Label
  • Lost Kids
  • Venice
  • Stem
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Neptunes
Brent Faiyaz singles chronology
"Show U Off"
(2021) 		"Wasting Time"
(2021) 		"Price of Fame"
(2022)
Drake singles chronology
"Having Our Way"
(2021) 		"Wasting Time"
(2021) 		"Over the Top"
(2021)

"Wasting Time" is a song by American R&B singer Brent Faiyaz featuring Canadian rapper Drake and production duo The Neptunes, the latter of whom also produced the song. It was released on July 1, 2021.

Background

On June 30, 2021, the song leaked and it was made available on Apple Music in New Zealand. It was released the next day.[1] The cover art of the single pays tribute to Pharrell Williams' album In My Mind.[2]

Composition

The song features "lush synth pads and booming 808s",[3] and finds the artists asking their respective lovers for more quality time with them.[4][5] In the chorus, Faiyaz sings, "If you're gonna waste your time / Then waste your time with me / You can have all the space / More than you need / It's no pressure, girl / If you got time to waste / Waste it with me".[3][6] Drake's verse is about his frustrations and distrust towards past lovers; he raps about how they "stay calculatin' moves, like Beth Harmon" and calls himself a "pessimist gold medalist".[7][8] He also swears to be more "'Purple Rain' Prince than Prince Charmin'" and name-drops Aaliyah ("Only time I play the back and forth is Aaliyah record").[8]

Critical reception

Jordan Darville of The Fader wrote that the song "aims for a woozy and timeless atmosphere, boosted by soaring orchestral strings and a crackling chemistry between Faiyaz's vocals and Drake's bars."[9] Jordan Rose of Complex noted the song sharing a common theme with Brent Faiyaz's song "Gravity", in that he "croons about respecting his lover's space, but still being willing to share his world with her".[7]

Charts

Chart performance for "Wasting Time"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 44
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 82
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 34
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 49
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 17
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[16] 27
US Rolling Stone Top 100[17] 25

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ A., Aron (June 30, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz & Drake's Collab Dropping Tonight: Report". HotNewHipHop.
  2. ^ Walker, Joe (2021-07-01). "Brent Faiyaz, Drake & The Neptunes Link For 'Wasting Time' Single". HipHopDX.
  3. ^ a b Peters, Daniel (2021-07-01). "Brent Faiyaz and Drake release new song 'Wasting Time', produced by The Neptunes". NME.
  4. ^ Marie, Erika (July 1, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz & Drake Team Up On Smooth Banger "Wasting Time"". HotNewHipHop.
  5. ^ Powell, Jon (2021-07-01). "Brent Faiyaz and Drake are "Wasting Time" on new single". REVOLT.
  6. ^ Blistein, Jon (2021-07-01). "Brent Faiyaz Links Up With Drake for New Song 'Wasting Time'". Rolling Stone.
  7. ^ a b Rose, Jordan (July 1, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz Taps Drake for New Song "Wasting Time"". Complex.
  8. ^ a b Chow, Aaron (2021-07-02). "Drake and Brent Faiyaz Link Up For "Wasting Time"". HYPEBEAST.
  9. ^ Darville, Jordan (July 1, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz enlists Drake for Neptunes-produced single "Wasting Time"". The FADER.
  10. ^ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Drake". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "NZ Top 40 Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "Drake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "American single certifications – Brent Faiyaz – Wasting Time". Recording Industry Association of America.
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