[Official Single Artwork]Name: "Cheat"
Album: "Love.Sex.Magic."
Recorded: October 2013
Writer/Composer: Barbara Harris "Barbarian", Sonyae Martha Maraj
Producer: Dallas Austin, Barbara Harris "Barbarian"
Length: 4:25
Genres: R&B, Hip-hop Soul
Instruments: Guitar, Trumpet, synthesizer, paino, drums and percussion
Samples: "Hey Young World" by Slick Rick.
Photographer/Artwork: Diane Martel
Record Label: Hot Eye Records
Formats: MP3 Download; iTunes, Amazon (Digital Only)
Release Date: October 27, 2013 (Digital Download & Radio Airplay)
Song Description & Background: "Cheat" is a song by American recording artist Barbarian taken from her debut studio album
"Love.Sex.Magic.". The album is set to be released November 15, 2013 through the support of Hot Eye Records. The song was written by Barbarian, Austin, and TJ Cousins and produced by Dallas Austin and co-produced by Barbara herself. The song is now being distributed worldwide as the lead single from the "Love.Sex.Magic." album through Hot Eye Records. The song will be made available for digital download and radio airplay on September 22, 2013. The song however first premiered online at midnight on Billboard's official website September 16, 2013 and was uploaded on Barbarian's official youtube/vevo as the first video in her channel the very same day. "Cheat" also comes forward as Harris's first mainstream single release after a couple of demos and snippets had leaked online.
Barbarian and legendary producer Dallas Austin produced the track together inside his own personal recording studio in Georgia. Austin first approached Barbarian with the concept of the song being that a "man cheated on her and eventually gets caught". Barbarian however thought the song's concept was too commercial and generic, and decided that it would be more innovative and original if she actually turned the tables on the meaning of the song and made it about her cheating on her man instead. Austin was instantly open to the idea and they both began writing the record in the most organic way imaginable. In terms of instrumentation, Barbarian wanted to incorporate a 90's inspired beat with real live instrumentation with a modern touch and After recording the track in the studio, Barbarian felt like the song needed a rap verse. She then heard about an upcoming rapper named "Kidd Amaze". After making a breakthrough with some of his music, Barbarian showed interest in working with the rapper even further and decided to call him up for a collaboration request. After hearing the record, Kidd Amaze sent in his verse in the matter of hours, and the record become more than she had expected. It was then, that she realized that his verse was very crucial, therefore she decided to release the song as the album's lead single. The song was then later remixed by upcomming female rapper Sonyae, giving the song a more female anthem touch.
"I decided to take the artistic route and write a song that will make people think a little deeper. Believe it or not, we still live a macho dominated society, where men are still getting away with a lot of things they do. I am in no way trying to portray myself as feminist, I know that as a woman I am designed to do certain things but people take that idea way too far. It's incredible how men are able to get away with so much and maintain cleaner image for things they do, things that if women did, they would be looked as far worse. A lot of people are gonna be wondering why I wrote a song like this for women, but it's more hypothetical than direct. I think it's just a way to make people think a little and open their minds. I am in no way or form promoting promiscuity, but I am promoting a vengeful fantasy for us women to experiment with, maybe once in our life to give these cheating men a taste of their own medicine. Two wrongs don't make a right, but it sure does make things equal." -
BarbarianIn the terms of production, The song's beat consists of a seductive trumpet and the sound of a remixed record, insinuating a 90's sort of sound or tribute. The production always contains a light sample of "Hey Young World" by Slick Rick which can be heard in the background if you hear closely. Barbara's vocal range doesn't span too high in record, instead it's more relaxed and seductive. Despite Harris's wide vocal range, Barbarian purposely maintained a low voice to create an unique signature and unexpected vocal style that's to be showcased more in future songs. Overall, the songs composition is repetitive but effective and somewhat addictive thanks to the timeless sound of the trumpet which was softened to please the ears.
"Cheat" lyrics Barbarian: "Yes, it's Barbarian, and I'm back, haha, ooh
Oh I oh I oh I oh I yeah
Oh I oh I oh I oh I yeah
Oh I oh I oh I oh I baby
Oh I oh I oh I oh I yeah
The naughty things I did from hornyness
cause you put me through so many things
I gave my man all his modesty
But I know that he cheated on me
I caught him in his lie but all he does is cry to keep me near
you better wipe them eyes
boy I'm not fuckin' around
cause what I needed was your affection
Oh, So I cheat yeah
I Just keep it on the down low
cause nobody was supposed to know
So I cheat
yeah 'Cause he doesn't know what I do
and no attention Goes to show
oh so I cheat
The 23rd day of loneliness
cause we don't fuck like we used to do
better get used to the change
cause I'm not stressing
cause I know you did the same
yeah yeah
I'll keep giving loving till the day he pushes me away
and never go a day
If he knew the things I did he couldn't handle it
And I choose to be the one that isn't affected
So I cheat yeah
I Just keep it on the down low
cause nobody else supposed to know
So I cheat yeah
'Cause he doesn't know what I do and no attention goes to show oh so I cheat
I think about us baby all the time
But you know that I'm gonna need some affection
Yeah, yeah you can't deny it
I know you cheated baby, so will I
And you gotta know if you don't give me that D Imma get mine
Sonyae: Your girl cheat since you cheat her pussy out, left her unsatisfied
So she had to let you know, maybe now you'll abide
All those nights you been occupied, she just had to come alive
It was a matter of time that you learned, can't even be justified
I'm with the kid, I'm not for cheatin', but needs are needs
You get dropped when you stop fulfilling her needs
Now you wanna drop to them knees, started to beg and plead
You gotta keep up with the speed, your chick been fled
You wanna own this soley then you gonna have to appreciate
Do I need to abbreviate? The taste of this pussy can never relate
You gon' have to learn the protocol if this is what you try to deviate
Treat ya lady right and she won't have to put you to the wait
Barbarian: ooh
Oh I oh I oh I Oh I yeah
Oh I oh I oh I Oh I baby
Oh I oh I oh I Oh I yeah
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah