:Backseat Freestyle

{{Infobox song

| name = Backseat Freestyle

| cover =

| alt = Kendrick wears a hoodie with his name written in yellow in 80s style with the title written in red in 80s style.

| type = single

| artist = Kendrick Lamar

| album = Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

| released = {{Start date|2012|10|22}}

| recorded = 2012

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 3:32

| label = * TDE

| writer = * Kendrick Duckworth

Chauncey Hollis

| producer = Hit-Boy

| chronology = Kendrick Lamar

| prev_title = Fuckin' Problems

| prev_year = 2012

| next_title = Poetic Justice

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|EZW7et3tPuQ|"Backseat Freestyle"}}}}

}}

"Backseat Freestyle" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It debuted on October 15, 2012 in the United Kingdom as the third single from Lamar's second studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012). It was released in the United States with the album's release on October 22, 2012. "Backseat Freestyle" was written by Lamar and Chauncey Hollis and produced by Hollis under his stage name Hit-Boy.

The song was given critical acclaim, with many critics commending Lamar for his technical ability. The song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and at 79 on the UK Singles Chart. It also made appearances on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rap Songs charts, as well as the Belgian Ultratip chart. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the US and silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the UK. Since its release, it has been placed on multiple lists as one of Lamar's best songs.

Lamar, Jerome D, and Dave Free directed the video for "Backseat Freestyle", which shows a young Lamar lip sync to the lyrics while the video cuts between black and white scenes of Compton and Paris. The song has been on the set lists for several concert tours and has appeared in popular culture.

Background

Hit-Boy met Kendrick Lamar a couple years before the creation of "Backseat Freestyle". After Lamar signed to Interscope Records, Hit-boy was encouraged by those he knew at Interscope to work with him.{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Insanul |date=October 23, 2012 |title=The Making of Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/the-making-of-kendrick-lamars-good-kid-maad-city/ |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}} The two did several studio sessions in Las Vegas for a few days, though none of the songs created would appear on the final mix of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Joe |date=June 10, 2021 |title=Hit-Boy: Kendrick Lamar's 'Backseat Freestyle' Was Ciara R&B Song |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.62595/title.hit-boy-kendrick-lamars-backseat-freestyle-was-originally-a-ciara-rb-song |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101053505/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.62595/title.hit-boy-kendrick-lamars-backseat-freestyle-was-originally-a-ciara-rb-song |url-status=live }} According to Hit-Boy, with one of the records they created, Lamar "couldn't get the hook right in his mind, so that song got deaded". Lamar subsequently requested more beats. When he heard the new beat that would be eventually chosen, Lamar stated "That's the one! This is going on my album". While on tour, he recorded his vocals and altered parts of the beat towards more of his liking. The track was originally produced for singer Ciara for an R&B song called "Hit Boy", though "the situation fell apart".{{Cite web |last=Genius |date=February 12, 2020 |title=The Making Of Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle" With Hit-Boy {{!}} Deconstructed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHznLQ7FrdY |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103062218/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHznLQ7FrdY |url-status=live }} When producing the song, Hit-Boy sampled The Chakachas' 1970 song "Yo Soy Cubano", as well as an episode from the Cartoon Network series The Powerpuff Girls.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Joe |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Backseat Freestyle' Sampled 'Powerpuff Girls' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.65429/title.kendrick-lamar-hit-boy-backseat-freestyle-powerpuff-girls-sample |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}

Speaking on his delivery of his vocals, Lamar remarked how rapper Eminem influenced his "aggression" on the song.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=John |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says 'Backseat Freestyle' Was Influenced by Eminem |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/kendrick-lamar-says-backseat-freestyle-was-influenced-eminem |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Vibe |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409053039/http://www.vibe.com/article/kendrick-lamar-says-backseat-freestyle-was-influenced-eminem |url-status=live }}

Composition

The song follows Lamar's album concept, which is a day in the life of a teenage Kendrick Lamar. The song is preceded by a short skit at the end of the previous track "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", in which Lamar's friend tells him "K-Dot, get in the car, nigga, we finna roll out. Nigga, I got a pack of blacks and a beat CD; get your freestyles ready."

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim from music critics, with many focusing on Lamar's technical ability. Consequence writer Michael Madden described how Lamar uses "his technical gifts" to approach "Minaj-ian levels of animation" on the song.{{Cite web |last=Madden |first=Michael |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Album Review: Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city |url=https://consequence.net/2012/10/album-review-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}} Jonah Bromwich of Pitchfork noted the song as a "technical showcase" with a "particularly clever" structure.{{Cite web |last=Bromwich |first=Jonah |date=October 16, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar: "Backseat Freestyle" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14459-kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} Kyle Ellison of The Quietus called the song's lyrics "preposterous and brilliant".{{Cite web |last=Ellison |first=Kyle |date=January 10, 2013 |title=The Quietus {{!}} Reviews {{!}} Kendrick Lamar |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/11084-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-review |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=The Quietus |language=en-us}} Writing for Slant Magazine, Mark Collett described it as a "scuzzy, sleazy delight" part of a "larger narrative".{{Cite web |last=Collett |first=Mark |date=December 12, 2012 |title=Review: Kendrick Lamar, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}} Martyn Young for musicOMH viewed the song as a "breathlessly exciting hard-edged cut" and complimented Hit-Boy's production as having "juddering bone shaking power" that creates "an intensely thrilling four minutes".{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Martyn |date=October 22, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. City {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=musicOMH |language=en-GB}} Jaeki Cho of XXL praised how Lamar "channels multiple voices and executes crisp-clean double- and triple-time bonanza with ease."{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Jaeki |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-maad-city/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=XXL Mag |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930003910/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-maad-city/ |url-status=live }} Eric Diep of Complex complimented the song's "infectious voice sample"{{Cite web |last=Diep |first=Eric |date=October 15, 2022 |title=Listen: Kendrick Lamar "Backseat Freestyle" (Prod. By Hit-Boy) |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/listen-kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-prod-by-hit-boy |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104162707/https://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/listen-kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-prod-by-hit-boy |url-status=live }} while Anupa Mistry of NOW Magazine appreciated the "grizzled lyricism".{{Cite web |last=Mistry |first=Anupa |date=2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=189313 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027061459/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=189313 |archive-date=October 27, 2012 |website=NOW Magazine}}

Though, not all reviews from critics were positive. Kia Makarechi, writing for The Huffington Post, called it "perhaps the least introspective song" on the album and lamented it getting a video before other songs.{{Cite web |last=Makarechi |first=Kia |date=January 3, 2013 |title=WATCH: Kendrick Lamar Stunts Around Paris |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/backseat-freestyle-video-kendrick-lamar_n_2401997 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} While Jakob Dorof of Tiny Mix Tapes complimented the song's "demonically raw-throated" third verse, he opined that the song's beat gets "beyond [Lamar's] better judgment."{{Cite web |last=Dorof |first=Jakob |date=2012 |title=Music Review: Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-maad-city |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Tiny Mix Tapes |language=en}}

= Accolades =

"Backseat Freestyle" has been widely regarded as one of Lamar's best songs and has been ranked high by critics. In 2018, Bianca Alysse of Billboard ranked the song number six on their list of the 20 greatest Kendrick Lamar songs.{{cite magazine |last=Alysse |first=Bianca |date=February 5, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 20 Best Songs: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-songs-best-hits-list-8097320/ |accessdate=March 28, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} Stereogum placed the song as number eight on their 2020 list,{{Cite web |last=Leas |first=Ryan |date=November 13, 2020 |title=The 10 Best Kendrick Lamar Songs |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2105567/kendrick-lamar-best-songs/lists/10-best-songs/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} and in 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the song number three on their list of the 50 greatest Kendrick Lamar songs.{{cite magazine |last1=Thompson |first1=Paul |last2=Reeves |first2=Mosi |last3=Dukes |first3=Will |last4=Ihaza |first4=Jeff |last5=Buford |first5=Jayson |last6=Penn II |first6=Michael |date=November 1, 2021 |title=The 50 Greatest Kendrick Lamar Songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-greatest-kendrick-lamar-songs-1244629/backseat-freestyle-2012-1244652/ |accessdate=March 28, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} In 2022, Alex Petridis of The Guardian ranked it second in his list of Lamar's greatest songs.{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 20 greatest songs – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/may/05/kendrick-lamar-20-greatest-songs-ranked |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Release and commercial performance

"Backseat Freestyle" was released as the third single from Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, debuting in the United Kingdom on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on October 15, 2012.{{Cite web |last=Lobenfeld |first=Claire |date=October 15, 2012 |title=Stream: Kendrick Lamar, "Backseat Freestyle" (Prod. by Hit-Boy) |url=https://www.thefader.com/2012/10/15/stream-kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-prod-by-hit-boy |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=The Fader |language=en}} The song was posted on Hit-Boy's Twitter the same day.{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=October 15, 2012 |title=New Kendrick Lamar: "Backseat Freestyle" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48212-new-kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} Following its single release, it entered and peaked at number 79 on the UK Singles Chart, dropping off the chart after one week. In the United States, "Backseat Freestyle" peaked at number six on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City on October 22, 2012. It also peaked at numbers 29 and 22 respectively on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rap Songs charts. Beyond the Anglosphere, the single peaked at number 81 on the Belgian Ultratip chart.

On June 8, 2018, "Backseat Freestyle" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with a 1,000,000 certified units in the US. On August 2, 2019, it was awarded a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for 200,000 certified units in the UK.

Music video

The music video for the song was released on January 2, 2013 and was directed by Kendrick Lamar, Jerome D, and Dave Free.{{Cite web |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |date=January 2, 2013 |title=Watch the Black-and-White Video for Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/49029-watch-the-black-and-white-video-for-kendrick-lamars-backseat-freestyle/ |access-date=November 4, 2013 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} Lamar stated it took "probably two months" to film because of the large amount of travel and him having "too many ideas".{{Cite web |last=Fuse |date=January 15, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Explains "Backseat Freestyle" Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX9sWKJZVQY |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104031609/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX9sWKJZVQY |url-status=live }} The black and white video shows Lamar rapping along to the lyrics while switching between footage of his hometown Compton, California and Paris, France, the latter a reference to the song's chorus.{{Cite web |last=Mlynar |first=Phillip |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Heads to Paris in "Backseat Freestyle" Video |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/pxhdni/kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-video-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104031615/https://www.mtv.com/news/pxhdni/kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-video-3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=MTV |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2012 |title="Backseat Freestyle" video: watch Kendrick Lamar's misunderstood track |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/10/09/backseat-freestyle-video-watch-kendrick-lamars-misunderstood-track/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}} Several characters referenced in the album appear. Lamar's father is featured in a skit smoking marijuana and asking his son for his domino set, as well an appearance of recurring character "Sherane", who is seen leaning against Lamar's car twerking.{{Cite web |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Introduces Sherane In 'Backseat Freestyle' Video |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/u5h1fx/kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104033640/https://www.mtv.com/news/u5h1fx/kendrick-lamar-backseat-freestyle-video |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=MTV |language=en}} Lamar explained how he just wanted "to have fun" with making the video by including skits and his father{{Cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar Gets Real In His 'Backseat Freestyle' Video |url=https://www.mtv.com/video-clips/ifd30m/kendrick-lamar-gets-real-in-his-backseat-freestyle-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104031610/https://www.mtv.com/video-clips/ifd30m/kendrick-lamar-gets-real-in-his-backseat-freestyle-video |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=MTV}} and wanted to give the audience something they wouldn't expect.

Live performances and pop culture

File:Kendrick Lamar The DAMN. Tour @ TD Garden (Boston, MA) (36100904785).jpg]]

Lamar has frequently performed the song for concert tours as well as musical festivals. It was part of the set list for the Good Kid, M.A.A.D City World Tour,{{cite web |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=June 18, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces "good kid, m.A.A.d city" World Tour |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/kendrick-lamar-announces-good-kid-maad-city-world-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217232655/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/kendrick-lamar-announces-good-kid-maad-city-world-tour |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |access-date=June 23, 2017 |work=Complex}}{{Cite web |last=Deville |first=Chris |date=May 19, 2013 |title=Hangout 2013 Saturday: Tom Petty, Kendrick Lamar, Public Enemy, & More |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1354262/hangout-2013-saturday-tom-petty-kendrick-lamar-public-enemy-more/photo/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104020239/https://www.stereogum.com/1354262/hangout-2013-saturday-tom-petty-kendrick-lamar-public-enemy-more/photo/ |url-status=live }} Kunta Groove Sessions Tour,{{Cite web |last=Terry |first=Josh |date=November 6, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar's intimate 'Kunta's Groove Sessions' is one of the best shows we've seen all year |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/redeye-kendrick-lamar-kunta-groove-session-chicago-riviera-review-20151105-story.html |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune}} The Damn Tour,{{cite web |last=Masley |first=Ed |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. with triumphant one-man show of force |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/07/12/kendrick-lamar-tour-launch-concert-review/463182001/ |accessdate=October 30, 2017 |work=AZ Central |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110144807/https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/07/12/kendrick-lamar-tour-launch-concert-review/463182001/ |url-status=live }} The Big Steppers Tour{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar to Livestream Full 'The Big Steppers Tour' Paris Concert on 'Good Kid, m.A.A.d City' 10th Anniversary |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-big-steppers-tour-livestream-amazon-1234613395/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} and for The Grand National Tour {{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Joe |date=2025-04-20 |title=Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grand National Tour Setlist: Every Song From the First Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/kendrick-lamar-sza-grand-national-tour-setlist-first-show/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} It was also performed during The Championship Tour{{Cite web |last=Rietmulder |first=Michael |date=May 6, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar, in White River Amphitheatre show, proves he's the most vital rapper in America |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/kendrick-lamar-proves-hes-the-most-vital-rapper-in-america-at-white-river-amphitheatre/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} and as part of Lamar's opener for The Yeezus Tour.{{Cite web |last= |date=October 21, 2013 |title=Marvel at footage of Kanye West's Yeezus tour, featuring a mountain and a Jesus impersonator |url=https://www.factmag.com/2013/10/21/kanye-wests-tour-features-a-mountain-and-a-jesus-impersonator-and-looks-incredible/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Fact |language=en-US |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804050400/http://www.factmag.com/2013/10/21/kanye-wests-tour-features-a-mountain-and-a-jesus-impersonator-and-looks-incredible/ |url-status=live }}

The song has appeared in pop culture on occasion. In 2014, a video of Taylor Swift lip-syncing to "Backseat Freestyle" went viral and attracted considerable attention.{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Chris |date=September 8, 2014 |title=Taylor Swift Knows Every Word To Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle" - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/taylor-swift-likes-chill-kendrick-lamars-backseat-freestyle/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Block |first=Justin |date=November 10, 2014 |title=Listen to the Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift Mash-Up That the Internet Asked For |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2014/11/kendrick-lamar-taylor-swift-backseat-freestyle-shake-it-off-mashup |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}} In 2019, the song was used in the film Waves during a bonfire scene with a group of teenagers. The use of the song, along with tracks from several other high-profile artists, received media attention because of the indie nature of the film.{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=December 10, 2019 |title=How 'Waves' Got Kanye and Kendrick on Its Soundtrack |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/movies/waves-kanye-west-kendrick-lamar.html |access-date=November 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Bitran |first=Tara |date=January 2, 2020 |title=How 'Waves' Secured Rights to More Than 45 Songs: It Was the "Biggest Head-Scratcher" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-waves-secured-rights-more-45-songs-1265329/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

Credits and personnel

Recording

Recorded at TDE Red Room, Carson, California

Personnel

Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter
Chauncey Hollis – songwriter, producer
Derek Ali - recording, mixing

Credits are adapted from the Good Kid, M.A.A.D City album liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes |title=good kid, m.A.A.d city |title-link=Good Kid, M.A.A.D City |first=Kendrick |last=Lamar |date=2012 |publisher=Aftermath/Interscope Records |id=B001753602 |type=CD liner notes}}

Charts

scope="col"\| Chart (2012–13) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="row" {{single chart\|Flanders Tip\|81\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|song=Backseat Freestyle\|accessdate=November 30, 2013\|refname="Flanders Tip"}}
scope="row" {{single chart\|UK\|79\|date=2013-01-26\|accessdate=November 30, 2013\|refname="UK"}}
scope="row" {{single chart\|Billboardbubbling100\|6\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|accessdate=November 1, 2022\|refname="US Bubbling"}}
scope="row" {{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|29\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|accessdate=May 13, 2013\|refname="US R&B"}}
scope="row" {{single chart\|Billboardrapsongs\|22\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|accessdate=May 13, 2013\|refname="US Rap"}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|refname="aria"|access-date=December 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Kendrick Lamar|title=Backseat Freestyle|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2019|refname="bpi"|accessdate=August 2, 2019|id=15807-3292-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kendrick Lamar|title=Backseat Freestyle|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2018|refname="riaa"|accessdate=June 13, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}