IDGAF (feat. Yeat)

"IDGAF" is a powerful and unapologetic anthem of defiance, self-confidence, and success. The title, an acronym for "I Don't Give a Fuck," encapsulates the core message of the song: a complete disregard for the opinions, criticisms, and actions of others. Both Drake and Yeat use their verses to construct a narrative of being so elevated by their fame, wealth, and talent that they are entirely insulated from negativity and rivalry. The lyrics are a bold celebration of their achievements and a dismissal of anyone they perceive as being beneath them. Yeat's verses are filled with braggadocio about his financial success and luxurious lifestyle, while Drake's lyrics are more introspective and critical of the industry, calling out inauthenticity and fake personas. The song can be seen as a statement on the unapologetic pursuit of personal ambition and living a life free from societal constraints and judgment. It's a declaration of supreme self-assurance, where success becomes a shield against the outside world.

The song begins with an ethereal and atmospheric vocal sample, creating a sense of journeying through darkness and uncertainty. This introspective mood is abruptly shattered by Yeat, who bursts in with aggressive, braggadocious lyrics. He immediately establishes a tone of immense wealth and superiority, boasting about signing a multi-million dollar deal while his rivals are only touching a fraction of that. His verses are a whirlwind of flexing—expensive jewelry, high fashion, and a complete disregard for anyone beneath him. The core message is repeated insistently: he doesn't care about others' opinions or actions. He operates in his own world, counting money for amusement and surrounded by his loyal crew, or "twizzys." He paints a picture of a life so elevated that the concerns of ordinary people are irrelevant.

Drake enters the track adopting a similar, yet distinct, persona of indifference. He addresses his rivals directly, mocking their failures, like an unsuccessful attempt to buy a private jet, and questioning their street credibility. He asserts his own authenticity and the loyalty of his OVO (October's Very Own) clique, using clever wordplay around the letter 'O' to symbolize his crew, his hometown, and his winning status. Drake's verse is a calculated dismissal of his haters, specifically targeting those who rap about a lifestyle they haven't lived. He contrasts their fabricated stories with the real-life hardships faced by his associates. His flow is confident and measured, reinforcing the idea that he is above the fray and untouchable.

The central recurring hook, shared by both artists, is the blunt and repetitive declaration, "I don't be givin' no fucks." This phrase acts as the song's anchor, a constant reminder of their shared mindset. Yeat's delivery is more chaotic and energetic, filled with ad-libs and his signature slang, which creates a sense of youthful, rebellious energy. Drake's delivery is smoother but equally dismissive, projecting an air of seasoned superiority. The narrative throughout the song is not one of a story with a beginning, middle, and end, but rather a sustained declaration of a state of being. It's a snapshot of two artists at the pinnacle of their success, so insulated by their wealth and fame that they have achieved a state of complete indifference to the outside world. They assert their freedom to say and do whatever they want, a privilege earned through their dominance in the industry. The track concludes by reinforcing this theme of invincibility and unapologetic self-interest, leaving the listener with the impression of two figures who are utterly unbothered and in control.

The song "IDGAF" was released on October 6, 2023, as the seventh track on Drake's eighth studio album, For All the Dogs. The creation of the track has an interesting history, as it originally began as a solo song by Yeat. Producer BNYX, a member of the Working on Dying collective, created the bass-heavy beat, and Yeat first started working on the track in late 2021. For over a year and a half, snippets of Yeat's version circulated on social media, building significant anticipation among his fanbase. The collaboration came about as Drake and Yeat had been connected since the summer of 2021. In September 2023, a month before the album's release, Drake used the track to soundtrack an advertisement for his NOCTA x Nike fashion collaboration, revealing his involvement and referring to the artists as "Twizz and The Boy". The final version was produced by BNYX and Sebastian Shah, with Noel Cadastre handling the engineering and mixing. The song notably samples the 1977 track "The Tunnel" by the British jazz trio Azimuth, featuring vocalist Norma Winstone. Winstone, who was in her 80s at the time, was contacted for sample clearance and, despite not knowing who Drake was initially, approved its use after her son, a member of the band Hot Chip, explained his fame.

The rhyme and rhythm of "IDGAF" are central to its aggressive and captivating energy. The song largely follows a free verse structure within its verses, prioritizing flow and delivery over a strict, traditional rhyme scheme. The rhythm is driven by a hard-hitting, bass-heavy trap and rage beat with a relentless tempo after the initial, slower sample-based intro. This creates a jarring but effective transition that grabs the listener's attention. Yeat's lyrical rhythm is characterized by a staccato, often off-kilter flow that weaves in and out of the beat, punctuated by his signature ad-libs. This creates a sense of controlled chaos. Drake, in contrast, delivers his lines with a more grounded, yet still aggressive, cadence that sits more squarely on the beat. The most prominent rhythmic and lyrical element is the hook, "I don't be givin' no fucks / I say whatever I want, I do whatever I want." Its simple, repetitive structure and rhythm make it an incredibly memorable and impactful refrain, acting as the song's anchor. The interplay between the artists' distinct rhythmic deliveries and the driving, complex production is a key feature of the track's overall feel.

"IDGAF" is characterized by a blend of distinct musical and literary styles that create its aggressive and modern sound.

• Musical Style: The track is built on a "raucous bass-heavy" production that aligns with the "rage beat" subgenre, known for its distorted synths and aggressive energy. It begins with an extended, ethereal sample of Azimuth's 1977 jazz song "The Tunnel," which creates a stark contrast when the beat abruptly drops. The production, handled by BNYX and Sebastian Shah, features "sci-fi synthesizers" and a "glitch-y bass thumper."
• Vocal Delivery: The song showcases a dynamic interplay between Yeat's and Drake's vocal styles. Yeat employs his signature "droning" and energetic delivery, characterized by heavy use of ad-libs and his unique slang. His flow is often described as mumbly and nasal, fitting perfectly within the chaotic production. Drake adapts his flow to complement Yeat's, adopting a more aggressive and boastful tone than in some of his other work, though some critics noted he seemed "out of place" on the track.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics utilize braggadocio, repetition, and clever wordplay. The primary hook, "I don't be givin' no fucks," is a prime example of repetition used to hammer home the song's central theme. Drake employs metaphors and wordplay, particularly with his references to the letter 'O' representing his brand and success. The song's narrative voice is consistently defiant and confrontational, directly addressing and dismissing haters and rivals.

"IDGAF" made a significant cultural and commercial impact upon its release. The song debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking Yeat's highest-charting single to date. It also reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 and in Canada. The track was a massive streaming success, topping the Billboard Streaming Songs chart with 26 million streams in its second week alone. The song went viral on platforms like TikTok, particularly due to its instantly memorable hook and the contrast in delivery between Drake and Yeat. Critically, the reception was mixed. Some praised it as a fan favorite and a standout track on the album For All The Dogs, highlighting Yeat's performance and the song's unique, modern sound. Others criticized Drake's presence on the track, feeling he was imitating Yeat's style and that the collaboration felt forced or like he was "rapping for the children." This sparked discussion about Drake's career trajectory and his attempts to stay relevant with younger audiences. The song was seen as a major breakthrough moment for Yeat and the underground "rage" scene, bringing its sound to a massive mainstream audience.

The lyrics of "IDGAF" employ various symbols and metaphors to reinforce its themes of wealth, power, and authenticity.

• Darkness and Blackness: The intro sample from Azimuth's "The Tunnel" speaks of "Traveling forever in the dark, Darkness into blackness." This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the artists' journey through the uncertainties and adversities of the music industry, navigating a path that is often perilous and unknown.
• The Letter 'O': Drake uses clever wordplay around the letter 'O', stating, "I stay with that O like a tire, I stay with that O like a bagel, I stay with that O like a Lifesaver." This 'O' is a multi-faceted symbol representing his record label OVO (October's Very Own), his Toronto roots, and the concept of victory or winning.
• Financial Metaphors: Both artists use money as a dominant symbol of their success and power. Yeat's line, "I put a check on my neck," metaphorically represents the immense value and cost of his fame. The constant references to counting money "for fun" symbolize a level of wealth so vast it becomes a casual pastime, highlighting the gap between them and their rivals.
• Twizz: The recurring word "twizz" is slang popularized by Yeat, meaning a close friend or twin. Its repeated use throughout the song symbolizes the importance of a loyal, tight-knit entourage, a key element of survival and strength in their world.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the hook, "I don't be givin' no fucks," often followed by variations of "I say whatever I want, I do whatever I want." This line is the thematic core of the track, repeated by both Drake and Yeat to reinforce their defiant and carefree attitude. Its constant repetition functions as a powerful, memorable mantra that defines the song's identity. Another key recurring motif is the word "twizz," Yeat's slang for a close friend or compatriot. The term appears multiple times in the lyrics, including in Drake's verse, highlighting the theme of loyalty and the importance of a trusted inner circle. References to immense wealth, such as counting money "for fun," also recur, serving as a constant reminder of the artists' elite status and the source of their nonchalance.