# STFU!

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/STFU!.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STFU!
> Source revision: 1332259758
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

For other uses, see [STFU (disambiguation)](/source/STFU_(disambiguation)).

"**STFU!**" (an abbreviation for "[shut the fuck up](/source/Shut_the_fuck_up)") is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter [Rina Sawayama](/source/Rina_Sawayama). It was released as the lead single from her debut studio album, *[Sawayama](/source/Sawayama)* on 22 November 2019 for [digital download](/source/Music_download) and [streaming](/source/Streaming_media). It is a [nu metal](/source/Nu_metal), [heavy metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music), [hard rock](/source/Hard_rock), [arena rock](/source/Arena_rock), and [avant-pop](/source/Avant-pop) track with [pop](/source/Pop_music) influences. Its lyricism criticizes [microaggressions](/source/Microaggression) against [Asian people](/source/Asian_people). "STFU!" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its aggressive tone and the shift in genre and direction. *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* listed the song as the 20th best song of 2020.[1]

## Background

According to Sawayama, the track was inspired by "early [2000s](/source/2000s_in_music) [pop-rock](/source/Pop-rock) and [nu-metal](/source/Nu-metal); [...] [No Doubt](/source/No_Doubt), [Limp Bizkit](/source/Limp_Bizkit), [t.A.T.u.](/source/T.A.T.u.) and [Evanescence](/source/Evanescence)".[2] She also added that she "was really itching to do something that was inspired by like [N.E.R.D.](/source/N.E.R.D.) or Evanescence or like t.A.T.u., or some of the heavier [Britney](/source/Britney_Spears) stuff"[3] and that her goal with the track was to "shock people because [she]'d been away for a while".[4]

## Composition and lyrical themes

"STFU!" was noted by critics as a departure from the 2000s-inspired [pop](/source/Pop_music) and [R&B](/source/Contemporary_R%26B) sound of Sawayama's previous works. Sonically, it's an "aggressive",[5] "riotous" blend of nu metal,[6][7][8] [heavy metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music),[9] [hard rock](/source/Hard_rock),[10] [arena rock](/source/Arena_rock),[11] and [avant-pop](/source/Avant-pop)[12] with "sugary" [pop](/source/Pop_music) influences,[13] and instrumentation consisting of "screeching",[13] "frantic" guitars, "thrashing" drums, and a "headbanging" beat.[14] According to *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)'*s Rob Sheffield, it combines "two totally different strains of Y2K-era radio — Britney-[Backstreet](/source/Backstreet_Boys) [teen](/source/Teen_pop) [disco](/source/Disco) and [Korn](/source/Korn)-esque nu metal".[15] Lyrically, it is a "riposte to [racism](/source/Anti-Asian_racism)"[5] which "confronts the fetishized stereotypes [Asian women](/source/Asian_women) are subjected to [*sic*]".[16]

## Music video

### Release and synopsis

The music video for the song premiered on 21 November 2019.[17] Directed by Sawayama and Alesandra "Ali" Kurr,[18] it was inspired by the artist's experiences with [stereotypes of Asian people](/source/Stereotypes_of_East_Asians_in_the_United_States).[19] It begins with Sawayama on a date with a man (played by British comedian [Ben Ashenden](/source/Ben_Ashenden)) having a conversation. The man asks Sawayama numerous questions, including whether or not she had visited the [Wagamama](/source/Wagamama) restaurant at [Heathrow Airport](/source/Heathrow_Airport), why she sings in English and doesn't make [J-pop music](/source/J-pop), as well as compares her to [Sandra Oh](/source/Sandra_Oh) and [Lucy Liu](/source/Lucy_Liu) and reveals that he's working on a "new-age *[Memoirs of a Geisha](/source/Memoirs_of_a_Geisha)*".[20][21]

## Accolades

Critics' rankings for "STFU!" Publication Accolade Rank Ref. Dazed The 20 best tracks of 2019 12 [22] Los Angeles Times The 50 best songs of 2020 [23] Noisey The 100 Best Songs of 2020 50 [24] Rolling Stone The 50 Best Songs of 2020 20 [1]

## Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref. Various 22 November 2019 Digital download · streaming Dirty Hit [25][26]

## References

1. ["Year in Review: The 50 Best Songs of 2020"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-2020-1097442/). *Rolling Stone*. 7 December 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113105/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-2020-1097442/20-rina-sawayama-stfu-1097494/) 25 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 February 2021.

1. Lasoye, Sara (23 November 2019). ["'STFU!': Rina Sawayama talks raging against microaggressions"](https://gal-dem.com/rina-sawayama-interview-stfu-2019/). *gal-dem*. Retrieved 6 May 2020.

1. Mylrea, Hannah (22 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama: "We can't just normalise using Japanese culture in the way that we've been doing""](https://www.nme.com/music-interviews/rina-sawayama-stfu-interview-2577378). *[NME](/source/NME)*. Retrieved 6 May 2020.

1. ["SAWAYAMA by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/sawayama/1493469433). *[Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music)*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. Bray, Elisa (16 April 2020). ["Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA review: An audacious album from one of the boldest voices in pop"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/rina-sawayama-album-review-bad-friend-dynasty-a9468046.html). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

1. Maicki, Salvatore (2 March 2020). ["Hear Rina Sawayama skewer late capitalism on her new single "XS""](https://www.thefader.com/2020/03/02/rina-sawayama-new-single-xs-debut-album-2020). *[The Fader](/source/The_Fader)*. Retrieved 5 May 2020. ...from the nu-metal of "STFU," [...]

1. Hosken, Patrick (21 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama Unleashes An Attack On Microaggressions On Bombastic 'STFU!'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191122063251/http://www.mtv.com/news/3146049/rina-sawayama-stfu-video/). *MTV News*. Archived from [the original](http://www.mtv.com/news/3146049/rina-sawayama-stfu-video/) on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

1. ["10 modern day nu metal bangers you need to hear right now"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-best-new-nu-metal-songs-right-now). 25 March 2022.

1. Hall, Jake (31 March 2020). ["Rina Sawayama Says Shut the Fuck Up"](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/rina-sawayama-interview/). *Highsnobiety*. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

1. Daw, Stephen (21 April 2020). ["How Rina Sawayama Fused Early 2000s Pop & Nu-Metal to 'Break the Chain' of Familial Discord"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9362330/rina-sawayama-pride-artist-of-the-month-interview). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

1. Hakimian, Rob (2020-04-21). ["Album Review: Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA"](https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-rina-sawayama-sawayama/). *Beats Per Minute*. Retrieved 2026-01-04.

1. Spanos, Brittany (17 April 2020). ["Rina Sawayama Is the Pop Moment on Her Debut Album, 'Sawayama'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-rina-sawayama-debut-album-985177/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

1. Zheng, Jenny (21 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama Wants You to 'STFU'"](https://www.papermag.com/rina-sawayama-stfu-listen-2641425757.html). *[Paper](/source/Paper_(magazine))*. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

1. Chu, Li-Wei (21 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama pops off against microaggressors in her unrestrained new song, "STFU!""](https://fromtheintercom.com/rina-sawayama-stfu/). *From the Intercom*. Retrieved 6 May 2020.

1. Sheffield, Rob (13 September 2022). ["Rina Sawayama Breaks Stuff and Builds Back Better on 'Hold the Girl'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/rina-sawayama-hold-the-girl-1234590594/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

1. Yu, Eda (17 April 2020). ["Our Favorite Genre Is Rina Sawayama"](https://www.papermag.com/rina-sawayama-interview-new-album-2645745435.html). *[Paper](/source/Paper_(magazine))*. Retrieved 6 May 2020.

1. Rina Sawayama (21 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama - STFU!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XojM2D3F-Dc). Retrieved 6 May 2020. – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube)

1. Sugawara, Maari (2 December 2019). ["Rina Sawayama releases hard AF single 'STFU' and she's cooler than ever"](https://japanincanada.com/rina-sawayama-stfu/). *Japan in Canada*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. Riddell, Rose (22 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama shares new single 'STFU!' on Dirty Hit."](https://coupdemainmagazine.com/rina-sawayama/16190). *Coup De Main Magazine*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. Cooper, Carol (25 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama's brilliant bad-date promo slams casual racism"](https://www.shots.net/news/view/rina-sawayamas-brilliant-bad-date-promo-slams-casual-racism). *shots*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. Megarry, Daniel (25 November 2019). ["Rina Sawayama goes hard on explosive new single STFU!"](https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/130005/rina-sawayama-goes-hard-on-explosive-new-single-stfu/). *[Gay Times](/source/Gay_Times)*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. ["The 20 best tracks of 2019"](https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/47073/1/the-20-best-tracks-of-2019). *[Dazed](/source/Dazed)*. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2024.

1. ["The 50 best songs of 2020"](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-12-09/the-50-best-songs-of-2020). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.

1. ["The 100 Best Songs of 2020"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-100-best-songs-of-2020-noisey/). *[Noisey](/source/Noisey)*. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.

1. ["STFU! – Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/stfu-single/1485816072). *Apple Music*. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

1. ["STFU! by Rina Sawayama on Spotify"](https://open.spotify.com/album/6mK7S3mTU56zi0O4SsoP6u?si=QdYnVqZMSrCq_szpE8O_DA). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [STFU!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STFU!) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STFU!?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.