Fake Woke
"Fake Woke" is a song written, produced, and performed by Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald. It was self-released as a single on January 29, 2021. A music video for the song, directed by his girlfriend and fellow musician Nova Rockafeller, was released simultaneously with the single.[2][3] The American conservative news television channel Fox News promoted "Fake Woke" on its series The Story with Martha MacCallum and interviewed MacDonald about the song.[4]
"Fake Woke" | ||||
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Single by Tom MacDonald | ||||
Released | January 29, 2021 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:12 | |||
Label | Self-released | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Tom MacDonald | |||
Tom MacDonald singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Fake Woke" on YouTube |
Music and lyrics
The song begins with an isolated clean electric guitar. In the song's introduction, MacDonald disses American rapper Cardi B, criticizing her for being perceived as a role model.[5] He also takes a stand against the idea that white privilege exists and against the activist group Black Lives Matter, rapping, "I think Black Lives Matter was the stupidest name / When the system screwing everyone exactly the same."[4] Macdonald also says that the left wing is "Fake Woke", hence the title of the song. However, he also criticizes the right wing in the line, "[People] hate their neighbor 'cause he wears a mask or he stays home/ Has a daughter but his favorite artist said he slays hoes/picks her up from school, music slaps on the way home." Macdonald also criticizes censorship for being biased, saying, "Censorship's an issue 'cause they choose what they erase/There's a difference between hate speech and speech that you hate."
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]
- Tom MacDonald – composer, producer, songwriter
- Evan Morgan – mixing and mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[7] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 96 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] | 34 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2021) | Position |
---|---|
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] | 23 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | January 29, 2021 | Self-released | [11] |
References
- Smith, Kristin. "Fake Woke". Plugged In. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- Baker, Chris (January 30, 2021). "Number 1 Hip Hop Rap downloads on iTunes; 'Fake Woke' by Tom McDonald". KFAB. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Tom MacDonald – 'Fake Woke'". January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021 – via YouTube.
- "Canadian rapper calls out 'woke' America in new single". Yahoo! News. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Is Tom MacDonald Taking Shots at Eminem on New Song 'Fake Woke'?". Hip Hop 24x7. January 30, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Tom MacDonald disses Eminem in a new song". Hip Hop Freaks. January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021. - "Credits – Fake Woke – Tom MacDonald". Tidal. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Canadian Digital Song Sales: The week of February 13, 2021". Billboard. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- "The Hot 100 Chart: February 13, 2021". Billboard. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart: February 13, 2021". Billboard. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- References regarding the release of "Fake Woke" by Tom MacDonald on Apple Music:
- "Fake Woke – Single – Tom MacDonald". Apple Music (AU). Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Fake Woke – Single – Tom MacDonald". Apple Music (CA). Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Fake Woke – Single – Tom MacDonald". Apple Music (GB). Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Fake Woke – Single – Tom MacDonald". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Fake Woke – Single – Tom MacDonald". Apple Music (US). Retrieved February 3, 2021.