On the Radar Freestyle explained

On the Radar Freestyle
Cover:Drake and Central Cee - On the Radar Freestyle.png
Type:single
Artist:Drake and Central Cee
Recorded:July 2023
Genre:UK drill
Length:4:35
Label:OVO
Producer:
  • Arsenault
  • Kid Masterpiece
Chronology:Drake
Prev Title:Oh U Went
Prev Year:2023
On the Radar Freestyle
Year:2023
Next Title:Meltdown
Next Year:2023

"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]

Composition and lyrics

On the song, Drake references love, acting in (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

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 89
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] 9

Notes and References

  1. Drake & Central Cee Link Up for 'On The Radar' Freestyle: Watch. Mamo. Heran. Billboard. July 21, 2023. July 21, 2023.
  2. Drake and Central Cee Team Up for On the Radar Radio Freestyle: Watch. Pierre. Alphonse. Pitchfork. July 21, 2023. July 21, 2023.
  3. Watch Drake and Central Cee Team Up for 'On the Radar' Freestyle. Madarang. Charisma. subscription. Rolling Stone. July 21, 2023. July 21, 2023.
  4. Drake Joins Central Cee For "On The Radar" Freestyle. Trapp. Malcolm. Rap-Up. July 22, 2023. July 22, 2023.
  5. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 7 August 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1744. 4. August 7, 2023.
  6. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 7, 2023. August 5, 2023.