My Type
"My Type" is a hip hop and R&B song by American rapper Saweetie, serving as the lead single from her second EP ICY, released on March 29, 2019, through Warner Records and Artistry Worldwide.[1] The track, produced by London on da Track, samples the instrumental from Petey Pablo's 2004 single "Freek-a-Leek" and features lyrics centered on Saweetie's preferences in romantic partners, emphasizing financial success and confidence.[2][3] Its infectious hook and nostalgic production contributed to its viral appeal, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where it inspired numerous dance challenges and user-generated content.[4] The song achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2019 before peaking at number 21 in September 2019, marking Saweetie's first top-40 entry on the chart.[5] It also topped the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart for two weeks in September 2019 and reached number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[6][7] A remix featuring City Girls and Jhené Aiko, released on August 23, 2019, further boosted its popularity and extended its chart run.[8] "My Type" has been certified 4× platinum by the RIAA as of 2023, denoting four million equivalent units in the United States.[9] The official music video, directed by Daps and released on July 3, 2019, was filmed in Saweetie's hometown of the Bay Area and features a block party atmosphere with guest appearances by local artists Kamaiyah and Kehlani, celebrating her roots and empowering themes.[10][11] An earlier remix video for the TNT series Claws, directed by Ian Goodwin, premiered in June 2019 and incorporated thematic elements from the show.[12] "My Type" propelled Saweetie's career, establishing her as a rising figure in contemporary hip hop and influencing her subsequent releases like "Tap In" and "Best Friend."Background and Production
Development and Recording
Saweetie conceived "My Type" in 2018, drawing from her personal experiences in relationships to craft a bold anthem about self-confidence and her ideal partner. In a 2019 interview, she revealed that the track was the final addition to her EP Icy, created to fill an energetic gap and recapture the youthful thrill she felt hearing Petey Pablo's 2004 hit "Freek-a-Leek," which heavily influenced the song's direction.[13] In a 2025 interview, Saweetie revealed that the song was originally conceived as a diss track targeted at an unnamed individual before being reworked into its final form.[14] Saweetie collaborated closely with producer London on da Track. The beat was built around a sample of "Freek-a-Leek."[15][16] Saweetie wrote the infectious hook herself, emphasizing her unapologetic vibe, while co-writers including Gino The Ghost contributed to the verses, adding layers of playful bravado. The "Freek-a-Leek" sample was cleared through proper licensing and seamlessly integrated during the mixing stage to enhance the nostalgic yet contemporary feel.[17][2] The bulk of the recording wrapped by late 2018, following sessions that built on her prior EP High Maintenance, with minor tweaks completed in early 2019 ahead of the Icy release on March 29. This timeline allowed the song to serve as the EP's lead single, leveraging the sample's retro charm for broader appeal.[18]Composition and Sampling
"My Type" is classified as a hip-hop and R&B track incorporating crunk and trap elements, reflecting its roots in Southern club music through the sampled production.[2] The song runs for 2:06, is composed in the key of D major, and maintains a tempo of 105 beats per minute, contributing to its energetic, danceable rhythm suitable for viral challenges.[19][20] The track follows a conventional structure beginning with an intro that introduces the sampled beat, followed by two verses, multiple choruses, pre-choruses, and post-choruses, culminating in an outro that fades on the hook.[21] This format emphasizes repetition of the chorus for catchiness, with the pre-chorus building tension before each refrain. A key aspect of the song's sound is its direct sampling of the instrumental from Petey Pablo's 2004 crunk hit "Freek-a-Leek," produced by Lil Jon, which provides the foundational bassline and rhythmic drive.[22] The sample includes elements of the original's synth horns and ad-libs, recreated or lifted to evoke the early 2000s club vibe, with songwriting credits extending to Pablo, Lil Jon, LaMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love for their contributions to the underlying composition.[23] Instrumentation features prominent 808 bass lines typical of trap production, layered over synth horns that mimic the brassy tones of the source material, while Saweetie's vocal delivery employs subtle pitch correction for a polished, modern rap flow.[2] The recording process, handled by producer London on da Track, ensured seamless integration of the sample into the contemporary arrangement.Release and Promotion
Single Release
"My Type" was released on June 11, 2019, as the lead single from Saweetie's EP Icy via Warner Records and Artistry Worldwide.[24] The track was distributed in digital download and streaming formats.[6] Positioned by the label as a potential breakout following the release of her 2018 EP High Maintenance, "My Type" featured a cleared sample from Petey Pablo's 2004 track "Freek-a-Leek," which helped define its nostalgic appeal.[24][2] Saweetie first teased elements of the song on social media platforms in May 2019, building anticipation ahead of its full rollout, which aligned with key summer playlist placements on services like Spotify and Apple Music.[1] The single's lifecycle was later extended through official remixes featuring additional artists, including an early Claws-themed remix released on June 3, 2019, in partnership with TNT's series Claws.[25]Marketing and Remixes
Following the release of "My Type" as a single, promotional efforts focused on leveraging social media virality and brand collaborations to expand its audience. In mid-2019, Saweetie launched the #MYTYPECHALLENGE on TikTok, inviting users to create videos showcasing their ideal partners while lip-syncing the song's hook, which significantly amplified user-generated content and contributed to its viral spread.[26] Additionally, Saweetie partnered with Fashion Nova as a brand ambassador, aligning with her confident, stylish persona.[27] To sustain momentum, a series of remixes were released throughout late 2019, introducing new artists and production styles to broaden appeal across genres and markets. The first major remix, featuring City Girls and Jhené Aiko, dropped on August 23, 2019, adding verses that emphasized the track's playful energy and helping to extend its radio and streaming presence.[28] A Latin remix with Becky G and Melii followed on September 20, 2019, incorporating bilingual elements to target Hispanic audiences and diversify the song's global reach.[28] These efforts culminated in the full My Type (The Remixes) EP, released on October 25, 2019, via Warner Records, which compiled six versions including dance, Latin, and international collaborations.[29] The EP featured additional remixes such as one with French Montana, Wale, and Tiwa Savage, produced to appeal to urban and Afrobeats listeners, further cross-promoting tracks from Saweetie's ICY EP.[30] Promotional activities included radio tours to secure airplay on urban and pop stations, alongside strategic placements on Spotify's RapCaviar playlist, which helped maintain high streaming visibility.[24] Saweetie also performed the track at Spotify's RapCaviar Live event in Miami on October 24, 2019, tying into broader cross-promotions with her ICY EP catalog.[31] The remixes collectively boosted streaming figures, enhancing the original's longevity into the fourth quarter.[32]Music Video
Production
The music video for "My Type" was directed by Daps and released on July 3, 2019.[10] Filming took place in Saweetie's hometown in the Bay Area, California, during July 2019, capturing a vibrant block party atmosphere to honor her local roots and community.[24][33] Casting centered on Saweetie as the lead performer, with cameo appearances by fellow Bay Area artists Kehlani and Kamaiyah to emphasize regional representation and camaraderie.[34] The production incorporated elements of local culture, including group dances and outdoor scenes that highlighted the song's themes of self-assurance and confidence.[10] Visual style decisions focused on summery, high-energy aesthetics, featuring bold fashion choices and dynamic twerking sequences amid a neighborhood setting to evoke a sense of fun and empowerment.[35] Post-production was completed swiftly to align with the single's rising popularity, resulting in color grading that amplified the bright, lively tones of the Bay Area summer vibe.[36] An earlier remix video for the TNT series Claws, directed by Ian Goodwin, premiered on June 3, 2019. It featured Saweetie alongside cast members from the show, incorporating thematic elements like nail salon settings and empowering narratives tied to the series.[12][25]Content and Reception
The music video for "My Type," directed by Daps and released on July 3, 2019, depicts Saweetie and a group of her friends hosting an energetic block party in her Bay Area hometown. The three-minute visual features quick cuts between scenes of the group twerking on a basketball court, cruising in lowriders, and celebrating in a backyard, with Saweetie confidently performing the lyrics amid the festivities.[10][33][37] Thematically, the video emphasizes empowerment through unapologetic dance and personal style, highlighting body positivity as Saweetie and her diverse crew of women move freely and boldly. It incorporates Bay Area cultural elements, such as local slang in the lyrics and iconic lowriders, to nod to regional pride and community vibes.[35][38] Upon release, the video received positive feedback for its infectious summer energy and authentic portrayal of West Coast party culture, with outlets like Uproxx calling it a "summer-ready block party" that captures Saweetie's charisma alongside cameos from Bay Area artists Kamaiyah and Kehlani.[35][38] The official YouTube upload amassed over 170 million views as of November 2025, fueled by its viral spread on social media.[37] Viewer engagement surged through user-generated content, particularly on Instagram Reels and TikTok, where the song's hook inspired countless dance challenges and edits, contributing to a resurgence in streams and cultural relevance years after its debut.[39][40]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
"My Type" by Saweetie debuted at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and steadily climbed the chart, reaching a peak position of number 21 in September 2019 while spending a total of 20 weeks on the ranking.[5] The song's ascent was driven by strong streaming performance, accumulating 50 million streams on Spotify by August 2019. Additionally, "My Type" topped the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart for two weeks, marking Saweetie's first leader on the tally.[6] The remix featuring Jhené Aiko and City Girls, released in August 2019, further boosted the track's popularity, though international charting remained limited. The original version peaked at number 96 on the UK Singles Chart (1 week), number 98 on the Canadian Hot 100, and did not enter the main Australian ARIA Singles Chart but reached number 9 on the ARIA Hitseekers chart.[41][42] In year-end tallies, "My Type" ranked number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2019 and number 25 on the Rhythmic Songs chart for the same year, reflecting its sustained airplay and digital consumption throughout the period.Certifications and Sales
"My Type" has achieved notable commercial success, earning multiple certifications across various territories that reflect its strong sales and streaming performance. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single 3× Platinum on January 25, 2024, recognizing 3 million equivalent units consisting of sales and on-demand audio and video streams.[43] This milestone was supported by the track's peak position at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, which helped drive its streaming and sales momentum. Internationally, the song has also received accolades in other markets. Music Canada awarded it 4× Platinum certification on July 28, 2025, for 320,000 units in the country.[44] In Australia, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified it Gold, equivalent to 35,000 units.[45] In New Zealand, Recorded Music NZ certified it 2× Platinum for 60,000 units as of October 2024.[46] By November 2025, "My Type" had accumulated over 482 million streams on Spotify, contributing significantly to its certified units worldwide.[47]| Region | Certifying Body | Certification Level | Certified Units | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000 | January 25, 2024 |
| Canada | Music Canada | 4× Platinum | 320,000 | July 28, 2025 |
| Australia | ARIA | Gold | 35,000 | Unknown |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | 2× Platinum | 60,000 | October 2024 |