"DFMU" (initialism for Don’t Fuck Me Up) is a song by English singer-songwriter Ella Mai. It was released on 28 January 2022 through 10 Summers and Interscope Records from her second studio album, Heart on My Sleeve (2022).[1][2] It was produced by Mustard and co-produced by J. Holt.[3]
| "DFMU" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Ella Mai | ||||
| from the album Heart on My Sleeve | ||||
| Released | 28 January 2022 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:17 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Ella Mai singles chronology | ||||
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Background and composition
editFollowing the release of the single "Not Another Love Song" (2020), Mai took a hiatus from recording and public life.[4][5] In October 2021, the singer revealed on her social media accounts that she had returned to the recording studio.[4] The song was written in 2020 during a writing session with Mustard.[6][7] In an interview with Apple Music 1 Mai explaining the meaning and writing process of the song:[8]
"It was almost a therapy session when I was in the session. But I think that’s the best way. All the people that I grew up listening to are always very, very honest. And I’ve always just appreciated honesty. I think it’s the best way I think that people can relate to you also so. [...] I was having a very honest conversation with Prince Charlez who I wrote the song with about I was going through at that point. And it just was basically a conversation, and it just came together that way. And I think those are the best songs because storytelling is just conversation really. It was one of the ones during the recording process that I just knew it had to make"
Live performance
editMai performed a medley of "DFMU" and "Leave You Alone" at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in May 2022.[9]
Music video
editThe music video for the song, directed by Loris Russier, was released on 2 February 2022 through the singer's YouTube channel.[10]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 85 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 22 |
| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[13] | 3 |
| US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[14] | 1 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ↑ Cho, Regina (28 January 2022). "Ella Mai returns with new "DFMU" single". Revolt. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Simmons, Ken (28 January 2022). "New Music Friday: Ella Mai, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J, Da Baby and NBA Youngboy, and Quavo | ABC Audio Digital Syndication". ABC Audio. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Ella Mai Announces New Single 'DFMU'". Rap-Up. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- 1 2 Aubrey, Elizabeth (30 January 2022). "Ella Mai returns with slow-burning new single, 'DFMU'". NME. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ White, Caitlin (28 January 2022). "Ella Mai's 'DFMU' Is More Velvety R&B From The Rising Star". Uproxx. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Wang, Steffanee (28 January 2022). "Ella Mai On Her New Album: "It's My Life In Real Time"". Nylon. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Aniftos, Rania (2 February 2022). "Here Are the Lyrics to Ella Mai's 'DFMU'". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Price, Joe (28 January 2022). "Ella Mai Delivers Video for New Single "DFMU"". Complex Networks. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Bouza, Kat (18 May 2022). "Ella Mai Performs Sultry Medley of 'DFMU,' 'Leave You Alone' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Cho, Regina (3 February 2022). "Ella Mai goes for a late night drive in new "DFMU" video". Revolt. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ "Ella Mai Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Ella Mai Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Ella Mai Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Ella Mai Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Ella Mai – DFMU". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 11 February 2026.