Because the song was completely wiped from legitimate streaming platforms and digital stores, "01 do what u want feat r kelly m4a" became a highly searched phrase online. The inclusion of "01" signifies its track placement on initial leaks or promotional distributions, while "m4a" denotes the specific audio format favored by collectors looking for original iTunes-purchased file quality rather than lossy YouTube rips.
In November 2019, new vinyl and CD pressings of ARTPOP were released without the song, removing it from physical formats as well.
Gaga herself acknowledged this in her apology. "If I could go back and have a talk with my younger self I'd tell her to go through the therapy I have since then," she wrote. The song, she conceded, was a product of "a dark time"—a period when she was processing trauma in unhealthy ways and making decisions she now regrets.
While the track was a sonic success, it was plagued by controversy from its inception. Critics pointed out the jarring, deeply uncomfortable irony of Lady Gaga—a vocal advocate for sexual assault survivors—collaborating with R. Kelly, who had faced decades of horrific sexual abuse allegations. 01 do what u want feat r kelly m4a
But beneath the surface, the first warning signs were already appearing.
Seeking to salvage the commercial momentum of the track without the baggage of the R. Kelly pairing, Gaga performed an alternative version of the song with pop icon Christina Aguilera on the season finale of The Voice in December 2013. This female-empowerment version was later recorded in the studio and released digitally as an alternative M4A single, gaining praise from fans who felt uncomfortable supporting the original version. The 2019 Reckoning and Erasure
The track was completely removed from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube. Because the song was completely wiped from legitimate
The controversy deepened when Gaga filmed a music video for the single, directed by the equally controversial photographer Terry Richardson. Richardson himself was facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct within the fashion industry.
In 2013, Lady Gaga was pushing the boundaries of art, fame, and pop music with her concept album Artpop . "Do What U Want" was conceived as an electro-pop and synth-pop track with heavy R&B influences. The song’s lyrical theme focused on media scrutiny, with Gaga declaring that while the public and press could have her body, they could never control her mind or her heart.
01 Do What U Want Feat R Kelly M4a: The Controversial Legacy of a Pop Collaboration Gaga herself acknowledged this in her apology
[Lady Gaga] "Do what u want, what u want with my body Do what u want, what u want with my body Write what u want, say what u want about me If you're wondering, know that I'm not sorry"
The string reflects the exact file structure used by Apple’s iTunes Store during the peak of the digital download era.