Feds Watching

"Feds Watching"
Single by 2 Chainz featuring Pharrell
from the album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time
Released June 4, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded February 10, 2013[1][2]
Genre Hip hop
Length 4:10
Label Def Jam
Writer(s) Tauheed Epps, Pharrell Williams
Producer(s) Pharrell[3]
2 Chainz singles chronology
"HeadBand"
(2013)
"Feds Watching"
(2013)
"Trampoline"
(2013)
Pharrell singles chronology
"Get Lucky"
(2013)
"Feds Watching"
(2013)
"Get Like Me"
(2013)
Music video
"Feds Watching" on YouTube

"Feds Watching" is a song by American hip hop recording artist 2 Chainz, released on June 4, 2013 as the lead single from his second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time (2013). The song, which features fellow American singer Pharrell, who also produced "Feds Watching". The song has since peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

On June 2, 2013, 2 Chainz premiered "Feds Watching" at the Hot 97's Summer Jam, the first single from his second studio album. The song features Pharrell Williams and was recorded on 2013 Grammy Awards night.[1][2] The song was released to iTunes two days later, on June 4, 2013.[4]

Music video

The music video, released June 30, 2013 and was directed by Ryan Hope. A theme highly emphasized in the music video is that 2 Chainz featured many dark-skinned women as extras in the video.[5]

Billboard gave the music video a positive review stating: "It should be illegal for this many attractive women to be in the same place at the same time. 'Feds Watching' serves a disproportional male to female ratio in an exotic, secluded bachelor pad.".[6]

The Huffington Post also gave the video a positive review stating: "2 Chainz' 'Feds Watching' video follows the luxury rap music video formula with one notable twist. In the song, 2 Chainz raps about sporting Commes des Garcons and Alexander Wang clothing because 'if the Fed's watching,' he'd like to be 'fresh as hell.' (It turns out, of course, that they are watching.) The visuals for the song are appropriately lavish, with most of the action taking place in a Los Angeles mansion perched above the city."[5]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone ranked the song at 81 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2013.[7] Pitchfork Media positioned it at number 69 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2013.[8] It was ranked at number 23 on XXL's list of the 25 best songs of the year.[9]

Remixes

A remix was released on September 1, 2013 via Lil Wayne's mixtape, Dedication 5. The remix features verses from Lil Wayne and T.I.. All three artists were on tour together at the time of the recording.[10] Nelly also released a remix of the song.[11]

Track listing

Digital single
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Feds Watching" (featuring Pharrell)Tauheed Epps, Pharrell WilliamsPharrell[3] 4:10

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
scope="row"US Billboard Hot 100[12] 66
scope="row"US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 18
scope="row"US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[14] 12
scope="row"US Rhythmic (Billboard)[15] 18

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 61

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States June 4, 2013[4] Digital download Def Jam

References

  1. 1 2 Langhorne, Cyrus (2013-06-03). "2 Chainz Has The "Feds Watching" At Summer Jam [Video". Sohh.Com. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  2. 1 2 "Exclusive: Pharrell On the Making Of 2 Chainz 'Feds Watching' Single". Vibe. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  3. 1 2 "Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey & More Surprise At Summer Jam XX". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  4. 1 2 "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  5. 1 2 "2 Chainz' 'Feds Watching' Video Features Pharrell And Many Beautiful Ladies". Huffingtonpost.com. July 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  6. "Four-Play: 2 Chainz, Fantasia, Ciara & Hodgy Beats". Billboard. 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  7. Eliscu, Jenny. "2 Chainz feat. Pharrell, "Feds Watching" - 100 Best Songs of 2013". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  8. http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9288-the-top-tracks-of-2013/3/
  9. "The 25 Best Songs Of 2013 - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  10. "Lil Wayne ft. 2 Chainz and T.I. – "Feds Watching"". Hip Hop Vibe. 2013-09-01. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  11. "New Music: Nelly – 'Feds Watching (Remix)'". Rap-Up. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  12. "2 Chainz – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for 2 Chainz.
  13. "2 Chainz – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 2 Chainz.
  14. "2 Chainz – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for 2 Chainz.
  15. "2 Chainz – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for 2 Chainz.
  16. "2013 Year End Charts — R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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