"On the Radar Freestyle" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and British rapper Central Cee. It premiered on On the Radar Radio as a freestyle rap for the radio show on July 21, 2023, and was released as a single on streaming services through OVO Sound four days later. The two artists wrote the song alongside DeVante Swing and with producers Harley Arsenault and Kid Masterpiece.[1] It was recorded in New York when Drake was there for the It's All a Blur Tour, his co-headlining tour with Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage.[2]
| "On the Radar Freestyle" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Drake and Central Cee | ||||
| Released | July 21, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | July 2023 | |||
| Genre | UK drill | |||
| Length | 4:35 | |||
| Label | OVO | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Drake singles chronology | ||||
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| Central Cee singles chronology | ||||
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| Performance video | ||||
| "On the Radar Freestyle" on YouTube | ||||
Composition and lyrics
editOn the song, Drake references love, acting in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001), and fellow Canadian singer Justin Bieber and his hometown of Stratford in Ontario, Canada as he raps: "If I take flicks with the guys, I gotta put emojis over like three faces / 'Cause the feds can’t see those eyes / People I shouldn't be beside / When I was an actor, they would go to Stratford just to sell food on Bieber's side / Plenty reasons why I'm this way / My girl, that's just one reason why". He also references Julius Caesar and Jesus: "If Chubbs has on a Chanel side bag, you don't wanna see him reach inside / 'Cause we know some demon guys with jealous and evil eyes / You know that's how Jesus died, you know that's how Julius Caesar died / I bet they were decent guys; I swear they remind me of me sometimes".[3] Central Cee references Opium Records and label signees Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely and sports teams Spartans W.F.C. and the Charlotte Hornets.[4]
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 89 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] | 45 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[7] | 106 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] | 9 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 42 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 87 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[11] | 74 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 26 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[13] | 11 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 80 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] | 33 |
References
edit- ^ Mamo, Heran (July 21, 2023). "Drake & Central Cee Link Up for 'On The Radar' Freestyle: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (July 21, 2023). "Drake and Central Cee Team Up for On the Radar Radio Freestyle: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Madarang, Charisma (July 21, 2023). "Watch Drake and Central Cee Team Up for 'On the Radar' Freestyle". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Trapp, Malcolm (July 22, 2023). "Drake Joins Central Cee For "On The Radar" Freestyle". Rap-Up. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 7 August 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1744. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 7, 2023. p. 4.
- ^ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Drake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Drake, Central Cee – On the Radar Freestyle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Drake, Central Cee – On the Radar Freestyle". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.