GOOD Fridays was a weekly free music release by rapper Kanye West, launched in support of his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and again for his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The original intention was to release a free new song every Friday for a few months to promote his album, and the weekly tracks generally featured various rappers from his label, GOOD Music, and other artists he usually collaborated with.[1] All of the GOOD Friday tracks come with their own cover art.[2] West initially announced that the free music program releases songs from August 20, 2010, to Christmas 2010. However at the beginning of November, West announced that he was extending GOOD Fridays until the end of January.[3] 15 GOOD Friday tracks have been released through the program and three tracks appeared on West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.[4] The program was relaunched in 2016 in support of The Life of Pablo; 3 tracks have been released through the relaunch, with all of the tracks appearing on the album. West described the series as "an exercise in the power of art."[5]
Songs
Song | Released | Notes |
---|---|---|
"Power (Remix)" (featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz). |
August 20, 2010[6] | |
"Monster" (featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver). |
August 27, 2010[7] [8] |
Taken off the GOOD Friday website due to being released as an official single. Peaked at position #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. |
"Runaway Love (Remix)" (Justin Bieber featuring Kanye West and Raekwon). |
August 30, 2010 (Monday) | Is the first song released which features West as a guest collaborator rather than a main guest. Contains a sample of Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit. Was later released on Never Say Never – The Remixes, which uses the original version's beat. |
"Devil in a New Dress" | September 3, 2010 | Shortened version of what appeared on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Produced by Bink!. Album version features Rick Ross. |
"G.O.O.D. Friday" (featuring Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, and Charlie Wilson). |
September 10, 2010 | The title track for the series that featured some of the prominent members of G.O.O.D. Music. Produced by Kanye West. |
"Lord Lord Lord" (featuring Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and Charlie Wilson). |
September 17, 2010 | After the release of this track, Mos Def confirmed his signing with GOOD Music[9] |
"So Appalled" (featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz, and RZA). |
September 24, 2010 | The GOOD Friday release of this track is an unmastered version of what later appeared on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. |
"Christian Dior Denim Flow" (featuring Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks and Ryan Leslie). |
October 1, 2010 | Released the week West said he would temporarily suspend the GOOD Friday series.[10] Re-released with an extended verse by Ryan Leslie.[11] |
"Don't Stop!" (Child Rebel Soldier) |
October 8, 2010 | Recorded and produced more than a year prior to release.[12] Re-released 2 days later with a different mix of the song.[13] |
"Take One for the Team" (featuring Keri Hilson, Pusha T, and Cyhi the Prynce). |
October 15, 2010 | — |
"Don't Look Down" (featuring Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean). |
October 22, 2010 | Produced by Swizz Beatz and The Individualz. |
"The Joy" (featuring Curtis Mayfield, Charlie Wilson, Pete Rock and Kid Cudi). |
October 29, 2010 | Produced by Pete Rock and Kanye West. Included as a bonus track on Watch the Throne. |
"Looking for Trouble" (featuring Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Big Sean and J. Cole). |
November 5, 2010 | Also included on the J. Cole mixtape Friday Night Lights as a bonus track. |
"Chain Heavy" (featuring Talib Kweli and Consequence). |
November 12, 2010 | Produced by Q-Tip. Contains a sample of "Swamp Fox - Interlude No. 6" by Albino Gorilla. |
"Christmas in Harlem" (featuring Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild, Teyana Taylor and Big Sean). |
December 17, 2010 | Produced by Hit-Boy. Released officially through iTunes on December 17, 2010, with only Teyana Taylor, CyHi The Prynce and Kanye. The final version was released the following week. |
"Real Friends" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign). |
January 8, 2016 | The single and the return of the program were announced by Kim Kardashian via Twitter.[14] Released officially through SoundCloud on January 8, 2016. |
"No More Parties in LA" (featuring Kendrick Lamar). |
January 18, 2016 | Produced by Madlib. Initially scheduled for release on January 15, the single was officially released 3 days later through SoundCloud on January 18, 2016.[15] |
"30 Hours" (featuring Andre 3000). |
February 12, 2016 | Released officially through SoundCloud on February 12, 2016; the song was later removed from the platform. |
References
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (2010-08-23). "Kanye West Promises New Song Every Week Through Christmas - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (2010-08-23). "Kanye West Promises New Song Every Week Through Christmas - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Sound Check: Kanye West Extends G.O.O.D Fridays 'Til End Of January". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-30). "Kanye West Finishes My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Kanye West – Runaway (Screening Review)". Theh Hphop Chronicle. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010.
- ^ Ryon, Sean (2010-08-12). "Kanye West To Release "Power (Remix)" With Jay-Z Tomorrow". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
- ^ Montgomery, James (2010-10-19). "Kanye West Reveals Which Good Friday Tracks Are On Fantasy". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ Nadeska, Alexis (2010-08-30). "Kanye West and Jay-Z Team Up for Joint EP, Release 'Monster'". BoomBox. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ Denis, Vanessa (2010-09-27). "Mos Def Signs With Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on September 30, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-02). "Kanye West Unleashes His 'Christian Dior Denim Flow' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Twitter / Kanye West". Twitter.com. 2010-10-03. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-10-09). "Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Lupe Fiasco 'Don't Stop' On New Track - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Twitter / Kanye West: Peep the newer version of". Twitter.com. 2010-10-10. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Kim Kardashian Hints Kanye West Will Drop New Music Every Friday, Starting Today | News". Pitchfork. January 8, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Robertson, Iyana (January 18, 2016). "Kanye West Officially Returns To His Zone On 'No More Parties In L.A.' Feat. Kendrick Lamar". Vibe. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2024.