You Already Know Explained

You Already Know
Cover:You Already Know - Fergie.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Fergie featuring Nicki Minaj
Album:Double Dutchess
Released:August 25, 2017
Genre:Hip house
Length:4:08 (single version)
6:28 (album version)
Label:
  • Retrofuture
  • BMG
Producer:will.i.am
Chronology:Fergie
Prev Title:Life Goes On
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Save It Til Morning
Next Year:2017

"You Already Know" is a song recorded by American singer Fergie, featuring guest vocals from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 25, 2017, alongside promotional single "Hungry"[1] as the fourth single from Fergie's second studio album, Double Dutchess (2017),[2] [3] the same day the album was made available for pre-order.[4] "You Already Know" impacted mainstream and rhythmic radio on September 12, 2017.[5] As of September 2017, "You Already Know" moved almost 56,600 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.[6]

Background

"You Already Know" has been described as a song with 1990s house influences.[7] It samples "It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, which in turn samples the Lyn Collins 1972 song "Think (About It)".[8] Prior to the song's release, a lyric about Minaj's ex-boyfriend Meek Mill, was changed following their breakup in January 2017.[9] [10] [11] The single was written by Fergie and Minaj, with will.i.am handling the song's production.[12] Fergie first teased the collaboration in a radio interview in late 2014 while promoting "L.A. Love (La La)". The song was performed live for the first time on Rock in Rio Lisboa on May 20, 2016.

Fergie spoke about the song, saying:

Critical reception

Jordan Miller of Breathe Heavy reacted positively towards the song, calling it "fresh to death". In particular he praised Minaj's verse. Stereogum placed the song as the third best track of the week, with the senior editor Tom Breihan calling it a monster: "It's a big, shameless endorphin-rush pop megablast, a riot of synth-bloop hooks and James Brown drum-breaks and house pianos and ecstatic diva-wails.". Breihan also shows surprise with Fergie's rap skills.[13] It was considered the fortieth best song of 2017 by Rolling Stone.[14]

Personnel

Taken from Tidal.

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 95
Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)[16] 9
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[17] 96
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[18] 27

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousAugust 25, 2017Digital downloadDutchess Music
United StatesSeptember 12, 2017Contemporary hit radioBMG[19]
Rhythmic contemporary[20]

Notes and References

  1. News: Fergie Drops Fiery Collabs With Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj: 'I'm Coming Out With Two Bosses'. EW.com. August 25, 2017. September 2, 2017.
  2. Web site: You Already Know (feat. Nicki Minaj) – Single by Fergie on Apple Music. iTunes. September 2, 2017.
  3. Web site: Listen to Fergie and Nicki Minaj's New Song 'You Already Know'. Pitchfork. 24 August 2017. September 2, 2017.
  4. Fergie Officially Announces Sophomore Album 'Double Dutchess,' Unveils First Two Songs. Billboard. September 2, 2017.
  5. Web site: Mainstream & Rhythmic Radio Announcement. All Access. September 2, 2017.
  6. News: Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017. Nielsen SoundScan. October 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171002211120/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf. October 2, 2017.
  7. News: Fergie Officially Releases 'You Already Know' Featuring Nicki Minaj And 'Hungry' Featuring Rick Ross. BreatheHeavy. August 25, 2017. September 2, 2017.
  8. News: Fergie – You Already Know Feat. Nicki Minaj. HotNewHipHop. September 2, 2017.
  9. Web site: Nicki Minaj's Original Verse on Fergie's New Song 'You Already Know' Included a Meek Mill Reference. XXL. September 2, 2017.
  10. News: Nicki Minaj Changes Lyric About Ex Meek Mill in New Song. Us Weekly. September 2, 2017.
  11. News: Nicki Minaj Cuts Meek Mill Line From "You Already Know". HipHopDX. September 2, 2017.
  12. Web site: Try the TIDAL Web Player.
  13. Web site: The 5 Best Songs Of The Week. Stereogum. September 2017. September 3, 2017.
  14. 50 Best Songs Of 2017. Rolling Stone. 29 November 2017. November 29, 2017.
  15. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #436. auspOp. September 2, 2017. September 2, 2017.
  16. http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0=ts_chart_artistname%3AFERGIE&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=FERGIE Chart search – Fergie]. Billboard. September 4, 2017.
  17. Web site: you-already-know full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. September 2, 2017.
  18. Fergie chart history. Billboard. September 6, 2017.
  19. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913084757/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. September 13, 2017. September 12, 2017.
  20. Web site: Top 40/R Future Releases . All Access. All Access Music Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910172034/http://allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. September 10, 2017. September 12, 2017.