"On the Radar Freestyle" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and British rapper Central Cee. It premiered on On the Radar Radio as a freestyle rap for the radio show on July 21, 2023, and was released as a single on streaming services through OVO Sound four days later. The two artists wrote the song alongside DeVante Swing and with producers Harley Arsenault and Kid Masterpiece.[1] It was recorded in New York when Drake was there for the It's All a Blur Tour, his co-headlining tour with Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage.[2]
On the song, Drake references love, acting in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001), and fellow Canadian singer Justin Bieber and his hometown of StratfordinOntario, Canada as he raps: "If I take flicks with the guys, I gotta put emojis over like three faces / 'Cause the feds can’t see those eyes / People I shouldn't be beside / When I was an actor, they would go to Stratford just to sell food on Bieber's side / Plenty reasons why I'm this way / My girl, that's just one reason why". He also references Julius Caesar and Jesus: "If Chubbs has on a Chanel side bag, you don't wanna see him reach inside / 'Cause we know some demon guys with jealous and evil eyes / You know that's how Jesus died, you know that's how Julius Caesar died / I bet they were decent guys; I swear they remind me of me sometimes".[3] Central Cee references Opium Records and label signees Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely and sports teams Spartans W.F.C. and the Charlotte Hornets.[4]
