Saweetie

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Lore & Background

The collaboration between Saweetie and Doja Cat on "Best Friend" began with a premature release on December 4, 2020. Saweetie expressed disappointment on social media, stating: "I am extremely disappointed in my label WBR for prematurely releasing a single I was so excited about. I feel disrespected." The single was taken off streaming services the following day, then officially released on January 7, 2021. The song was sent to contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on January 12, 2021. The music video was filmed in November 2020. Upon release, Saweetie was accused of stealing the concept from "BFF" by R&B duo Ceraadi. The song earned Saweetie her first Video Music Award nomination for Best Art Direction. Several remixes were released featuring artists like Stefflon Don, JessB and Okenyo, and Katja Krasavice, though the latter did not debut at number one in Germany.

In Their Own Story

The studio lights hummed with a low buzz as the final take rolled to completion. Saweetie leaned back against the glass booth, grinning at the playback monitor while Doja checked her phone for messages from the label. There was no tension in the room, only the electric satisfaction of a job well done and the promise of something bigger on the horizon. They shared a quiet laugh over a lyric that had been rewritten three times, knowing it finally landed just right. Outside the window, the city slept, unaware of the anthem being born inside.

Reader's Guide

Saweetie's collaboration with Doja Cat on "Best Friend" was released on January 7, 2021. The song was written by Saweetie, Doja Cat, Asia Smith, Kaine, Theron Thomas, and producers Dr. Luke and Rocco Did It Again!. The hip hop song was described as a "danceable", "club-ready", and "fun, uptempo record that celebrates friendship." The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, was filmed in November 2020 and features Saweetie and Doja Cat in various settings including driving and posing in front of a bedazzled Tesla as well as jumping off a cliff into the ocean. The video also features an appearance from Canadian comedian King Bach. Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone noted that they call out misogyny and celebrate camaraderie in the music video. As of October 2025, the music video has reached over 330 million views on YouTube. The song was used in the official trailers for the 2022 Disney+ film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers and Dreamworks Animation's upcoming 2026 film Forgotten Island. It was featured in Airbnb's TV ad "Girls Trip" and used in the 2025 Disney+ series Ironheart, part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Did You Know?

• The song was released prematurely on December 4, 2020, then taken off streaming services the following day before its official release on January 7, 2021.
• Saweetie expressed disappointment on social media about her label Warner Records releasing the single early, saying she felt 'disrespected.'
• The music video was filmed in November 2020 and features an appearance from American comedian King Bach.
• The song was not nominated for any Grammy Award, but it did receive a Video Music Award nomination for Best Art Direction.
• The Katja Krasavice remix did not reach number one in Germany; neither Saweetie nor Doja Cat have had a number-one single there with this song.