Format Digital download Length 3:32 | Recorded 2012 | |
Released January 7, 2013 (2013-01-07) Genre Hip hop
satirical hip hop Label Top Dawg
Aftermath
Interscope | ||
"Backseat Freestyle" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was released as the third single from his second studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012) on January 7, 2013. "Backseat Freestyle" was written by Lamar and Chauncey Hollis, and produced by Chauncey Hollis, under his stage name Hit-Boy.
Contents
Background
Hit-Boy originally produced the beat for singer, Ciara, who used it for her song, "Hit Boy". However, after months went by with no response from her, he gave the beat to Kendrick Lamar, and it became "Backseat Freestyle". The song follows the concept of Lamar's album, which is basically a day in the life of a teenaged Kendrick Lamar. The song is preceded by a short skit, at the end of the previous track "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", in which Lamar's friend tells him "K-Dot, get in the car, nigga, we finna roll out. Nigga, I got a pack of blacks and a beat CD, get your freestyles ready." In October 2013, Lamar said Detroit-based rapper Eminem influenced the song.
Music video
The music video, directed by Kendrick Lamar and Jerome D, was released on January 2, 2013. The video features model Tokyo portraying "Sherane", a young lady who is a recurring theme throughout the Good Kid, M.A.A.D City album.
Release and commercial performance
"Backseat Freestyle" was released as the third single from Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2013. Following its single release, it peaked at number 79 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 17 on the UK R&B Chart. In the United States, "Backseat Freestyle" peaked at number six on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. It also peaked at numbers 29 and 22 respectively on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rap Songs charts. The single charted for one week on the Belgium Ultratop Urban 50 for the region of Flanders at number 50, and peaked at number 81 on the Ultratip chart.