Wait for U

(Redirected from Wait For U)

"Wait for U" is a song by American rapper Future featuring Canadian rapper Drake and Nigerian singer Tems. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the second single from Future's ninth studio album, I Never Liked You, on May 3, 2022.

"Wait for U"
Single by Future featuring Drake and Tems
from the album I Never Liked You
ReleasedMay 3, 2022
GenreR&B
Length3:10
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Future singles chronology
"Hold That Heat"
(2022)
"Wait for U"
(2022)
"Keep It Burnin"
(2022)
Drake singles chronology
"Knife Talk"
(2021)
"Wait for U"
(2022)
"Massive" / "Sticky"
(2022)
Tems singles chronology
"Crazy Tings"
(2021)
"Wait for U"
(2022)
"No Woman, No Cry"
(2022)
Music video
"Wait for U" on YouTube

The song samples Tems' song, "Higher", from her debut extended play, For Broken Ears (2020).[1] Future and Drake wrote the song with producers FnZ (Finatik and Zac) and ATL Jacob, alongside Tejiri Akpoghene and Tems, who are credited songwriters for the sampling of "Higher", and Floyd E. Bentley III.[2] "Wait for U" is an R&B song that lyrically discusses the occasional toxicity of a romantic relationship.[3]

The song debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Future's second (first as a lead artist), Drake's tenth, and Tems' first number-one hit on the Hot 100, and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in many other countries, including Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand. "Wait for U" received two nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards: Best Rap Song and Best Melodic Rap Performance, winning the latter.

Critical reception

edit

Michael Di Gennaro of Exclaim! felt that "Wait for U" is one of "the most Drake-sounding Future songs from a production standpoint" with "tender moments that harken back to the popstar aspirations Future once had when writing songs for Rihanna and Ciara".[4] In a negative review, HipHopDX music critic Anthony Malone opined that both "Wait for U" and "I'm on One", another track from I Never Liked You that Drake is featured on, do not "match the toxic king chemistry of their previous collaborations", adding that "like an old rock star who can still play the hits off muscle memory, Drake and Future recite the same stories of one-night stands, DM debauchery and drug-filled nights at the club in their sleep" and "however, their charisma is notably absent from the music.[5] In a similar review, Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork said that the sample of "Higher" by Tems "is a cheat code to a catchy song, but Future and Drake are on such autopilot that I'd rather listen to the original".[6]

Music video

edit
 
The video was filmed at the Gothic Revival castle-style mansion Casa Loma in Toronto.

The official music video for "Wait for U", directed by Director X, was released on May 5, 2022. It is a medieval-themed video that deals with love and betrayal. The video includes cameo appearances from Moxie Raia, Cece Rose, producer ATL Jacob, Strick, and Trey Richards. Drake plays a knight that delivers a note to a queen for Future, who plays a "toxic" king.[7] On the way to deliver the note, Drake engages in a sword fight and saves a woman.[8] At the end of the video, Future wins a duel against another man as the queen reads his note, rolls her eyes and throws it away. Future's note is a reference to a leaked text exchange of his from 2018 in which he told a woman he did not want to see her.[7] The music video was filmed at Casa Loma in Toronto, Canada.[9]

Credits and personnel

edit
  • Future – lead vocals, songwriting
  • Drake – featured vocals, songwriting
  • Tems – featured vocals, songwriting
  • FnZ
    • Finatik – production, songwriting
    • Zac – production, songwriting
  • ATL Jacob – production, songwriting
  • Wheezy - production, songwriting
  • Sonic Major - production, songwriting
  • Tejiri Akpoghene - songwriting
  • Floyd E. Bentley III - songwriting
  • Ethan Stevens – mixing
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering
  • Eric Manco – recording

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for "Wait for U"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47] 2× Platinum 140,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[48] Gold 15,000
Canada (Music Canada)[49] 2× Platinum 160,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[50] Gold 45,000
France (SNEP)[51] Gold 100,000
Italy (FIMI)[52] Gold 50,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] Platinum 30,000
Portugal (AFP)[54] Gold 5,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[56] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Release history for "Wait for U"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States May 3, 2022 Rhythmic contemporary radio [57]
Italy May 6, 2022 Radio airplay [58]

Awards and nominations

edit
Award and nominations for "Wait for U"
Year Ceremony Award Result Ref.
2022 African Entertainment Awards USA Best Collaboration Nominated [59]
American Music Awards Collaboration of the Year Nominated [60]
Favorite Hip-Hop Song Won
BET Hip Hop Awards Song of the Year Nominated [61]
Best Collaboration Won
Best Hip Hop Video Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [62]
Best Hip Hop Nominated
2023 Grammy Awards Best Rap Song Nominated [63]
Best Melodic Rap Performance Won
BET Awards Best Collaboration Won [63]
Viewer's Choice Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [64]
Favorite Hip-hop Song Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song Nominated [65]
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) Nominated

References

edit
  1. ^ Reeves, Mosi (April 29, 2022). "Future is a Platinum-Encrusted Antihero on 'I Never Liked You'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  2. ^ "Floyd E Bentley III – Grammy Nominations". The Recording Academy. November 15, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  3. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (April 29, 2022). "Future – 'I Never Liked You' review: Atlanta's trap overlord proves he's still on top". NME. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Di Gennaro, Michael (May 3, 2022). "Future Is Determined to Stay on Top on 'I Never Liked You'". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Malone, Anthony (May 5, 2022). "Review – Future 'I Never Liked You' Is Fan Service Held Back By Dull Beats & Marketed Toxicity". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  6. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (May 3, 2022). "Future: I Never Liked You Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Tomás, Tomas (May 5, 2022). "Future Is a Medieval Toxic King and Drake His Sexy Messenger in 'Wait for U' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  8. ^ Price, Joe (May 5, 2022). "Drake Stars as a Knight in Shining Armor in Video for Future Collab "Wait for U" f/ Tems". Complex. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  9. ^ "Drake and Future's "Wait for U" Music Video Was Filmed at Toronto's Casa Loma, as well as Albion Hills Conservation Area in Caledon (a rural suburb northwest of Toronto)". Complex Networks.
  10. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "Future Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "Future Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 18/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  18. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  19. ^ "2022 19-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  21. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  22. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  23. ^ "TurnTable Top 50: Kizz Daniel's "Buga" Debuts At No.1". The NATIVE. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  24. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart Week of May 25 2022". Turntable Charts. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  25. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  26. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202218 into search. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  27. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 18-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  28. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 18". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  29. ^ "Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  33. ^ "Future Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Future Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  35. ^ "Future Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  36. ^ "Future Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  37. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  38. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  39. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  40. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2022". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  41. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2022". officialcharts.com. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  42. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  43. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  44. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  45. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  46. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  47. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  48. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  49. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Future – Wait for U". Music Canada. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  50. ^ "Danish single certifications – Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  51. ^ "French single certifications – Future feat. Tems & Drake – Wait for U" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  52. ^ "Italian single certifications – Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  53. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Future feat. Drake and Tems – Wait for U". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  54. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Future feat. Drake & Tems – Wait for U" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Future ft Drake & Tems – Wait for U". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  56. ^ "American single certifications – Future – Wait for U". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  57. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  58. ^ "Future". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  59. ^ "Full List of the 8th Annual AEAUSA 2022 Finalists" (PDF). African Entertainment Awards USA. December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  60. ^ Atkinson, Katie (November 20, 2022). "Here Are All the 2022 AMAs Winners". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  61. ^ "Kanye West and Drake Lead BET Hip Hop Awards 2022 Nominations". Complex. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  62. ^ Grein, Paul (August 19, 2022). "Will BTS Make It Four in a Row as Group of the Year at 2022 MTV VMAs?". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  63. ^ a b Nordyke, Kimberly; Thomas, Carly (February 5, 2023). "Grammy Awards: Complete List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  64. ^ "2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Nominees". iHeart. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  65. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 12, 2023). "'Abbott Elementary,' 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' and 'The Woman King' Dominate NAACP Image Award Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2023.