Wake Up

Album: Single release only (2016)
Charted: 50
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Fetty Wap released this graduation anthem on 4/20/16. He explained the background to the song on Twitter, writing:

    "I can't lie, school was never really important to me. I hated when that alarm clock went off, my moms coming in my room to wake me up. I wanted to do things my own way and school was in the way.

    My eye made it more of a struggle. When you're different from everyone else, people, especially kids, remind you of that every day. Kids didn't really rock with me like that. I kept to myself and just tried to stay under the radar. I ended up dropping out without really having a plan.

    But here I am today, a nobody, high school drop-out from Paterson, NJ now known worldwide as Platinum-selling artist Fetty Wap. It wasn't easy to get here, I had to find my motivation in life. Everybody has to find what moves them personally to be successful.

    Some people are motivated by excelling in school, getting good grades and making their parents happy. That's cool if it works for you. If you're a regular guy from a regular city, you do OK in school and you find yourself more motivated by getting out of your parents' house for college than getting your degree, that's cool too…but nobody tells y'all that.

    This song is for everyone that celebrates 4/20 all year but still passes that math test. This song is for everyone that might not be in the top of their class or most popular but you still know where you're headed, just riding on your own path. I can tell you from experience that if you really put your heart and effort into achieving your goals, you won't walk away empty handed. You'll make it.

    Congratulations to the Class of ZOO16."
  • Fetty Wap shot the video at his alma mater, Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. "I went back to my old high school because I love my city," Wap said. "I wanted to show the students of Paterson that someone who walked those same hallways they walk every day and sat in the same classrooms shown in the video has become successful. If I can do it they can do it too."

    Though it is framed as a dropout-made-good story, the comical clip features strippers in the cafeteria, a stripper pole in a classroom and multiple references to weed. School administrators deemed the content of the song inappropriate and the principal was suspended for allowing Fetty Wap to shoot his clip there.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.