" Rude " was named after the reggae term " rude boy " and originally based on a real-life situation . The lead singer of Magic ! , Nasri , had been in an unhealthy relationship with a previous girlfriend . After the two of them got into a fight with each other , the band based the song off that headline . The couple was in a " mean time " when they were both being rude to each other , as Nasri says in what he describes as a " dark vibe . " Critical reviews for " Rude " have been mixed . On a positive note , 4Music complimented the song , saying : " One listen and you 'll be hooked . " An article in '' Psychology Today '' drew a connection between the lyrics of the song and social attitudes about interracial relationships , while '' Time '' magazine named " Rude " the worst song of 2014 , criticizing its " sanitized reggae-fusion sound " and lyrics . Renowned for Sound gave " Rude " a 4 out of 5 star rating , calling the track " lighthearted fun . " On December 9 , 2013 , the band made their Australian television debut on '' Sunrise '' , where they performed " Rude " . In June 2014 , the band performed an acoustic version of the song on '' On Air with Ryan Seacrest '' . In July , they performed it on '' The View '' and on '' The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon '' . On August 10 , 2014 , the band performed the song at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards . Magic ! and American singer Marc Anthony performed a Spanglish version of the song at the 15th Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in 2014 with Anthony singing parts of the song in Spanish
2014 Teen Choice Awards
2014 Teen Choice Awards
Rude (song)