"Fake Woke" is a song by Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald that was soley written and produced by Tom himself, and self-released as a single on 29 January 2021. A music video directed by Nova Rockafeller for the song was also created and released simultaneously with the single.[2][3] American conservative news television channel Fox News promoted "Fake Woke" on their series The Story with Martha MacCallum and also interviewed MacDonald about the song.[4]
| "Fake Woke" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tom MacDonald | ||||
| Released | January 29, 2021 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop[1] | |||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Tom MacDonald | |||
| Tom MacDonald singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Fake Woke" on YouTube | ||||
Music and lyrics
The song begins with an isolated clean electric guitar. In the song's intro, MacDonald disses American rappers Eminem and Cardi B, criticizing them for being perceived as role models.[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 states 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 calls out censorship for being biased, stating, "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.[7]
- Tom MacDonald – compose, producer, songwriter
- Evan Morgan - mixing and mastering
Charts
| 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 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 29 January 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.