"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" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tom MacDonald | ||||
| Released | January 29, 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Tom MacDonald | |||
| Tom MacDonald singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Fake Woke" on YouTube | ||||
Music and lyrics edit
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, and also points out that Eminem used to gay bash and talk about murdering his mother in his songs, but now he doesn't want fans who voted for Donald Trump coming to his concerts.[5][6] 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 edit
Credits adapted from Tidal.[7]
- Tom MacDonald – composer, producer, songwriter
- Evan Morgan – mixing and mastering
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[8] | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 96 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 34 |
Year-end charts edit
| Chart (2021) | Position |
|---|---|
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[11] | 23 |
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 29, 2021 | Self-released | [12] |
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.