Big Ole Freak

"Big Ole Freak" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio on January 22, 2019, as a single from her 2018 EP Tina Snow.^[3][4] It debuted at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100, before ascending to number 65,^[5] becoming Megan Thee Stallion's first charting song.^[2] The single was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for selling over 2 million units. "Big Ole Freak" has been noted by critics as one of Megan’s breakout songs that jumpstarted her career.

"Big Ole Freak"
Single by Megan Thee Stallion
from the EP Tina Snow
Released	January 22, 2019
Recorded	2018
Genre	Dirty rap
Length	3:34
Label	300
Composer(s)	Marquis Dair Julian Mason
Lyricist(s)	Megan Thee Stallion[1]
Producer(s)	LilJuMadeDaBeat[2]
Megan Thee Stallion singles chronology
"Cocky AF" (2018) "Big Ole Freak" (2019) "Sex Talk" (2019)
Official video
"Big Ole Freak" on YouTube

Background

The song samples Immature's song, "Is It Love This Time", from their debut album, On Our Worst Behavior (1992)^[2][6] The song also samples the baseline of Al B. Sure!'s song Nite and Day.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone noted that the song has a "frankly carnal rap" and an "airy melody".^[4] Billboard called it a "saucy club banger" with a "thumping melody" and an "unapologetic spirit",^[2] and said the "vocally gifted MC has the razor-sharp delivery to potentially lead a new era of hip-hop".^[7]

Music video

The music video, directed by Munachi Osegbu, was released in February 2019.^[8]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2019) Peak position US Billboard Hot 100[5] 65 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 25 US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[10] 5 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[11] 21

Year-end charts Chart (2019) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 67

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[13]	2× Platinum	2,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "ASCAP Repertory entry for this song". ASCAP. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
2. Gracie, Bianca (April 22, 2019). "Chartbreaker: Megan Thee Stallion on Staying True to Herself & Rising to the Top". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
3. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
4. Leight, Elias (March 22, 2019). "Rap Radio Is Playing More Women, But Streaming Playlists Lag Behind". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
5. "Top 100 Songs: May 18, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
6. "Megan Thee Stallion's 'Big Ole Freak' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
7. "Emerging Hip-Hop: Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby & Polo G Make Waves on Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
8. "MUNACHI OSEGBU' (Video)". B87FM. March 1, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
9. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: May 18, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
10. "Megan Thee Stallion Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
11. "Rhythmic Songs: May 18, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
12. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
13. "American single certifications – Megan Thee Stallion – Big Ole Freak". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 May 2022.