"Freak Like Me" is a song by American R&B singer Adina Howard, released on January 25, 1995 by East West and Lola Waxx, as the debut single from her first album, Do You Wanna Ride? (1995). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, as well as number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for four weeks, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies. Its music video was directed by Hype Williams. In 2023, Billboard ranked "Freak Like Me" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".^[2] The song has been covered by several artists, including British girl group Sugababes, who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their version in 2002.

"Freak like Me" is a R&B song with a g-funk beat.^[3] The song's drum beat is sampled from Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song". The song also interpolates "I'd Rather Be with You" by Bootsy's Rubber Band. Hence, Eugene Hanes, Marc Valentine, Loren Hill, William "Bootsy" Collins, and George Clinton's son George Jr. (the last of whom died in 2010) are credited as joint authors and composers. In honor of the song's 20th anniversary, a documentary focusing on the song's (and singer Adina Howard's) impact was released titled Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation.^[4][5] It received a nomination for "Outstanding Independent Documentary" at the 2016 Black Reel Awards.

American Billboard magazine wrote, "The G-funkiest R&B smash of the ’90s, using a Bootsy Collins interpolation, a Sly & The Family Stone sample and a Chronic-styled synth hook to attract that kind of man (because Adina Howard’s that kind of girl)."^[2] Bill Speed from the Gavin Report stated that newcomer Howard "is hot with her debut single "A Freak like Me", but don't be fooled by what appears to be another coochie song. It's way more than that." He concluded with that it "will be one of those funky hip-hop flavored hits that all demos will enjoy."^[6] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel complimented its "memorable chorus".^[7] Everett True from Melody Maker found that the singer "provides sweet relief with another of those succulent, sensuous G-funk thangs which sounds like a cross between En Vogue and Snoop Doggy Dogg."^[8] Alan Jones from Music Week felt "it's a record with immense pedigree; a softly percolating laidback soul/R&B nugget which reveals its subtle strength. With repeated plays it should dent the Top 40 this time and open up the market for Ms Howard's excellent album Do You Wanna Ride?"^[9] Ralph Tee from the Record Mirror Dance Update wrote, "The track is pure hip hop soul combining Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre beats and sounds with a style of vocal that's taken Brandy all the way with "I Wanna Be Down"."^[1] Another editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "slinkily rolling r&b swayer."^[10]

The original music video for the song was directed by American director Hype Williams.^[11]

1. "Freak like Me" (radio version) – 4:04
2. "Freak like Me" (remix featuring rap by Inspector Rick) – 4:17
3. "Freak like Me" (dub instrumental) – 4:12
4. "Freak like Me" (remix without rap) – 4:06
5. "Freak like Me" (instrumental) – 4:10
6. "Freak like Me" (a cappella) – 2:35

On August 28, 2000, a collaboration between two UK garage groups, Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy, released a cover version of "Freak like Me". English singer Imaani provided vocals on the song.^[28] This version reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The CD and 12-inch formats include remixes by Wideboys and Dome.

In 2002, English girl group Sugababes recorded a cover of "Freak like Me". Conceived and produced by English producer Richard X, the cover samples the 1979 song "Are "Friends" Electric?" by Gary Numan and Tubeway Army. In 2001, Richard X had created a bootleg mashup of the original recordings of "Freak Like Me" and "Are "Friends" Electric?", titled "We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends", which he released under the alias Girls on Top.^[36] That song became a successful underground dance track. Richard X wanted to release the mashup commercially, but he could not get permission from Howard to use her vocals, so he enlisted the Sugababes to re-record the vocals.^[37][38]

"Freak like Me" was released on April 22, 2002, as the lead single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was the first Sugababes single to feature Heidi Range, who joined after the departure of Siobhán Donaghy in August 2001. The Sugababes version blends the original recording's samples into an R&B and rock track.^[39] This version of the song used the radio edit lyrics of Howard's song ("brotha" is used instead of "nigga"). Numan was now credited as a co-writer of the song. A remix of the song, billed as the "We Don't Give a Damn Mix", was used for the video and also appears on Richard X's 2003 album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1.