2017 single by Fergie featuring Nicki Minaj
"You Already Know" is a song recorded by American singer Fergie, featuring guest vocals from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 25, 2017, alongside promotional single "Hungry"[1] as the fourth single from Fergie's second studio album, Double Dutchess (2017),[2][3] the same day the album was made available for pre-order.[4] "You Already Know" impacted mainstream and rhythmic radio on September 12, 2017.[5] As of September 2017, "You Already Know" moved almost 56,600 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.[6]
Background
"You Already Know" has been described as a song with 1990s house influences.[7] It samples "It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, which in turn samples the Lyn Collins 1972 song "Think (About It)".[8] Prior to the song's release, a lyric about Minaj's ex-boyfriend Meek Mill, was changed following their breakup in January 2017.[9][10][11] The single was written by Fergie and Minaj, with will.i.am handling the song's production.[12] Fergie first teased the collaboration in a radio interview in late 2014 while promoting "L.A. Love (La La)". The song was performed live for the first time on Rock in Rio Lisboa on May 20, 2016.
Fergie spoke about the song, saying:
This is about us standing together as #Girlbosses. We have both worked very hard for what we have, and still continue to do so. I'm a fighter! And so is she! We have the same goal. I'm all about women not being pitted against each other. I'm about, 'Let's stand strong'.
Critical reception
Jordan Miller of Breathe Heavy reacted positively towards the song, calling it "fresh to death". In particular he praised Minaj's verse.[7] Stereogum placed the song as the third best track of the week, with the senior editor Tom Breihan calling it a monster: "It's a big, shameless endorphin-rush pop megablast, a riot of synth-bloop hooks and James Brown drum-breaks and house pianos and ecstatic diva-wails.". Breihan also shows surprise with Fergie's rap skills.[13] It was considered the fortieth best song of 2017 by Rolling Stone.[14]
