Only You Freestyle

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"Only You Freestyle"
Single by Headie One and Drake
from the album Edna
Released20 July 2020
Recorded2020
GenreUK drill[1]
Length4:09
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)M1onthebeat
Headie One singles chronology
"Rose Gold"
(2020) 		"Only You Freestyle"
(2020) 		"Impress Me"
(2020)
Drake singles chronology
"Greece" / "Popstar"
(2020) 		"Only You Freestyle"
(2020) 		"Laugh Now Cry Later"
(2020)
Music video
"Only You Freestyle" on YouTube

"Only You Freestyle" is a song by written and performed by British rapper Headie One and Canadian rapper Drake, released on 20 July 2020 by Relentless Records and OVO Sound.[2][3][4] It served as the lead single to the former's debut studio album, Edna (2020).

Background[edit]

The song was announced and teased the day before release via social media by the two artists.[5][6] Commenting on the collaboration, Drake stated: "I had to go hard, especially on a track with one of the best drill artists in the world. Scratch that—the best drill artist in the world."[7][8][9]

"Only You Freestyle" is a UK drill track produced by M1onthebeat, who "gives the pair an eerie backdrop laden with drilly 808s and lurching bass for them to deliver their barrage of crud talk and bravado."[10] It is the third drill-styled track released by Drake in 2020, following "War" and "Demons" from his commercial mixtape, Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020).[5]

Critical reception[edit]

Complex complimented the production by M1onthebeat, writing that the producer "uses just a few key elements to huge effect—an ethereal vocal harmony here, some clicking 808s there and a shuddering bass line throughout—all of it coming together for a mood that's grand and cinematic in its scope. Like all good drill instrumentals though, the crucial part is that it holds back just enough to let the bars take the limelight."[11]

Music video[edit]

A music video directed by Nathan James Tettey and Theo Skudra was released alongside the song on 20 July 2020 via Headie One's YouTube channel. Drake performs his verse in a parking lot accompanied by OVO affiliates, with Headie One performing in a dimly-lit building. Artwork was created by British artist MLDNCM.[12]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 51
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[14] 24
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 37
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 54
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[18] 6
Scotland (OCC)[19] 76
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] 75
UK Singles (OCC)[21] 5
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[22] 18

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release history for "Only You Freestyle"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 8 May 2020
  • Relentless
  • OVO
 [25]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Headie One and Drake unite on cold drill track "Only You Freestyle"". The Line of Best Fit. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Headie One and Drake share "Only You Freestyle"". The Fader. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Headie One shares collaboration with Drake, 'Only You Freestyle'". NME. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Drake and Headie One Share New Song "Only You Freestyle": Listen". Pitchfork. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Listen to a new track from Headie One and Drake". Crack Magazine. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Headie One and Drake to drop collaboration tonight". The List. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Drake and Headie One Connect for New Song "Only You Freestyle"". Hypebeast. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Drake Enlists Headie One for Swaggering 'Only You Freestyle'". Rolling Stone. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Headie One & Drake Team Up On "Only You Freestyle"". HotNewHipHop. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Headie One And Drake Unite In The Name Of Drill On "Only You Freestyle"". Trench Magazine. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  11. ^ "5 Takeaways From Headie One and Drake's "Only You Freestyle"". Complex. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Drake Teams Up With Headie One for New Song "Only You Freestyle": Stream". Consequence of Sound. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  13. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 3 August 2020". No. 1587. Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 August 2020. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  14. ^ "Headie One X Drake – Only You Freestyle" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Headie One X Drake – Only You Freestyle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  18. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Headie One X Drake – Only You Freestyle". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  22. ^ "Drake Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Headie One – Only You Freestyle". Music Canada. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  24. ^ "British single certifications – Headie One/Drake – Only You Freestyle". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Only You Freestyle - Single by Headie One & Drake on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
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