Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)

"Best Friend" by Saweetie featuring Doja Cat is a modern anthem celebrating female friendship, financial independence, and unapologetic self-confidence. The song's primary message is a powerful ode to the supportive and uplifting bond between best friends. Lyrically, the artists trade verses that hype each other up, focusing on their individual successes, beauty, and loyalty. Lines like "Got her own money, she don't need no man" and "Drive her own car, she don't need no Lyft" explicitly highlight the theme of female self-sufficiency and economic empowerment, challenging traditional narratives in hip-hop. The song actively pushes back against the notion that successful women are in competition with one another. Saweetie mentioned that she was inspired to counter a viral video claiming that two pretty best friends can't coexist, stating, "I think it's important to show girls how we can have fun and uplift one another." The track serves as a cultural statement on camaraderie, presenting a united front where women celebrate each other's achievements and have each other's backs.

The song is a vibrant and unapologetic celebration of female friendship, independence, and mutual empowerment. It unfolds as a conversation and a series of affirmations between two best friends, Saweetie and Doja Cat, who spend the track hyping each other up. The narrative begins by establishing the ideal best friend: a "real bad bitch" who is financially independent ("Got her own money, she don't need no man") and confident. This friend isn't just successful; she's also the life of the party, comfortable letting loose on the dance floor after a couple of drinks. The core of the song revolves around this reciprocal admiration. Saweetie describes her bestie pulling up in a Tesla, looking flawless with a fresh blowout and perfect skin. She emphasizes their long-standing bond, referencing their shared history from childhood ("She been down since the jellies and the bo bos") to their current success, stepping out in expensive Manolo shoes. Their presence together commands attention and can provoke jealousy, but they are ready to defend each other against any negativity. There's a constant theme of shared success and luxury. They exchange gossip about wealthy men who desire them, but the focus remains on their own achievements and the fun they have together, "bussin' bands every time we link up." The lyrics paint a picture of a partnership built on loyalty and support. Doja Cat's verse reinforces this, describing her friend as her ride-or-die, someone she'd do anything for. This loyalty is presented as an unbreakable bond. The imagery used is one of opulence and self-sufficiency; they drive their own cars, tip generously at the strip club, and are entirely in control of their lives. The song rejects the idea of competition between women, instead showcasing a powerful alliance where they elevate each other's confidence and celebrate their collective wins. The recurring hook, "That's my best friend, she a real bad bitch," acts as a powerful, catchy mantra that encapsulates the entire message of the song: a joyful ode to the power of having a supportive, equally successful, and loyal friend by your side.

"Best Friend" was officially released on January 7, 2021, as the third single from Saweetie's debut album, Pretty Bitch Music. The song was written by Saweetie (Diamonté Harper), Doja Cat (Amala Dlamini), Asia Smith, Kaine, Theron Thomas, and its producers, Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald) and Rocco Did It Again! (Rocco Valdes). The collaboration came about after the two artists met in London a couple of years prior. Saweetie, a fan of Doja Cat's work, felt their genuine friendship made them a "perfect" fit for a best friend anthem. The song's release was preceded by controversy in December 2020 when it was prematurely and unofficially released by Saweetie's label, Warner Records. Saweetie publicly expressed her disappointment, stating she felt "disrespected" and that the wrong version of the track had been leaked. The song was quickly pulled from streaming services before its official, polished release the following month. The music video, directed by the acclaimed Dave Meyers, was filmed in November 2020 and released alongside the official single. Shortly after its release, the song faced accusations from the R&B duo Ceraadi, who claimed the video concept was copied from their "BFF" video, an accusation Saweetie met with a sarcastic public response.

The song is built on an upbeat, club-ready hip-hop beat with a prominent bassline, characteristic of the pop-rap genre. The tempo is fast and danceable, encouraging movement and creating a celebratory atmosphere. The rhythm is straightforward and catchy, designed for memorability and wide appeal. The rhyme scheme is generally simple, using couplets (AABB) and frequent perfect rhymes (e.g., "bitch"/"Lyft", "drinks"/"in"). For example, in Saweetie's verse: "Beep beep, is that my bestie in a Tessie? / Fresh blow out, skin on tan, ooh, she ready / Bitch, you look goodt, with a T at the end / I'ma hype her every time, that my motherfuckin' friend." This accessible structure, combined with the conversational lyrical rhythm, makes the song easy to sing along to and enhances its anthemic quality. The flow of both rappers is confident and sits squarely on the beat, emphasizing the assertiveness of the lyrics.

"Best Friend" employs several techniques to create its infectious and empowering vibe.

• Call and Response: The song is structured as a back-and-forth dialogue between Saweetie and Doja Cat. They trade verses and ad-libs, creating a dynamic that mimics a real conversation between friends hyping each other up.
• Repetitive Hook: The chorus, "That's my best friend, she a real bad bitch," is a simple, memorable, and highly effective hook. Its repetition makes it an easily chantable mantra, contributing to the song's status as an anthem.
• Vivid and Aspirational Imagery: The lyrics paint a picture of a glamorous lifestyle with specific, aspirational details like "fresh blowout, skin on ten," a bedazzled Tesla, and designer clothes. This creates a fantasy world of success and fun that listeners can tap into.
• Distinct Vocal Deliveries: Saweetie's cool, slightly laid-back West Coast flow contrasts with Doja Cat's more animated and versatile delivery. This interplay between their distinct styles adds texture and personality to the track.
• Narrative Intro/Outro: The music video includes a scripted intro where the two artists dismiss a misogynistic man, setting a clear tone of female solidarity and empowerment that frames the entire song.

"Best Friend" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact upon its release. The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on Billboard's Rhythmic chart. It became a viral sensation, particularly on TikTok, where it spawned countless dance challenges and memes that amplified its message of friendship and fun. The track earned Saweetie and Doja Cat a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Song at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, a major milestone for both artists. The song's music video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction. Its popularity led to numerous remixes featuring international artists like Stefflon Don, Jamie, Chanmina, and VaVa, broadening its global reach. The song has been featured in commercials for brands like Airbnb and in the trailer for the Disney+ movie "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers," cementing its place in popular culture. It is widely regarded as a modern female empowerment anthem that celebrates financial independence and supportive female bonds.

The lyrics and visuals of "Best Friend" are rich with symbols of modern female empowerment and success.

• The Tesla: The line "Beep beep, is that my bestie in a Tessie?" symbolizes not just wealth, but also modern, independent luxury and technological savvy. The Tesla in the music video is famously bedazzled, transforming a symbol of innovation into an over-the-top emblem of personal style and success.
• Luxury Brands (Gucci, Manolo): References to high-fashion brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik serve as shorthand for financial success and having refined taste. These aren't gifts from men but markers of their own achievements, reinforcing the theme of self-sufficiency.
• "Bad Bitch" Persona: The recurring phrase "she a real bad bitch" is a reclamation of a term that could be derogatory. Here, it functions as the highest compliment, symbolizing a woman who is confident, independent, attractive, and unapologetically herself. It's a motif of strength and empowerment.
• Twerking: The act of twerking in the song is presented as a symbol of joyous, uninhibited self-expression and body positivity. It's not for the male gaze but a celebration of their own bodies and freedom, done in the supportive company of a best friend.

The most significant recurring phrase is the hook itself: "That's my best friend, she a real bad bitch." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song by both artists, functioning as the central thesis and a powerful affirmation of friendship and female confidence. Its repetition transforms it from a simple statement into a memorable, empowering mantra. Another key recurring motif is the idea of financial independence, seen in lines like "Got her own money, she don't need no [man]" and "Drive her own car, she don't need no Lyft." This theme is woven throughout the verses and chorus, reinforcing the message that their success and lifestyle are self-made. The imagery of luxury and opulence—Teslas, high-end fashion, and tipping generously—is also a consistent motif, used to symbolize the rewards of their hard work and their shared enjoyment of life's finer things.