It features vocals by hip-hop rapper Lil Wayne, who wrote his guest verse, while the original composition was written by members of collective The Clutch including Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, along with Marcella Araica and Nathaniel "Danja" Hills.
The song was first released for digital download in the United States on August 5, 2008, through Bad Boy and NextSelection in association with Atlantic Records, who then serviced it to rhythmic contemporary radio stations on September 22, 2008.
Originally intended to be the first single from her second studio album, "Official Girl" is an R&B song, with the beat being referred to as "candy-floss production."
The song's lyrics consist of Cassie seeking status confirmation in a relationship as she is presented at a crisis between vulnerability and authority; she clarified its meaning as "standing up for what you want out of it."
The accompanying music video was directed by Chris Robinson and its concept revolves around Cassie's interpretation of the track's message, in which she grows frustrated over the uncertainty of a relationship with a man before deciding to break things off with him.
"Official Girl" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot Videoclip Tracks and the Norway Digital Songs charts, also topping MTV's TRL countdown.
After releasing two singles from her self-titled debut album, "Me & U" and "Long Way 2 Go," Cassie went back home for a period of time, "I got really sick and was in the hospital in like November or December.
[8] On February 11, 2008, Cassie made an appearance on MTV's TRL to promote the movie Step Up 2: The Streets and announced the first single from her upcoming album would be "Official Girl," produced by Danja and written by The Clutch.
[9] Diddy discussed the single with Billboard, revealing the album was tentatively scheduled for a September release and it would "really, really catch people off guard," mentioning Spears and Janet Jackson as influences.
[18][19] Lil Wayne called it "wonderful" to work with Cassie, "she's a beautiful person, her voice is crazy," continuing that the reason he got on the track was due to Danja's "tricky" and creative production which he considered difficult and challenging to lay his rap verse over.
[18][28] It was written by members of The Clutch collective: Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis, along with Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica, Lil Wayne and Nathaniel "Danja" Hills.
The Clutch were responsible for the musical arrangement and Danja produced it, while Araica handled mixing at the Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, with additional collaborator Chad Jolley.
"[30] Jonathan Reyes of AllHipHop praised Danja's production noting "it packs the signature that we've grown to love from the Virginia native," continuing, "The lyrics are simple and really show the Clutch's superior ability to adapt to each artist they write for.
"[34] Waqar Hassan of AXS also pointed out that "the beat on this song remains in your head for years," and applauded the performers: "The singing on this track is perfect too.
"[35] The Guardian's Alex Macpherson commented that "producer Danjahandz swathes [Cassie] in candy-floss production" on the track as she demands clarity in a relationship, "she cajoles, threatens, pleads, swears she can measure up.
'"[36] Writing for Dummy Mag, Tom Lea of Local Action Records remarked that the song "showcases Cassie at the perfect crossroads between vulnerability ("I wanna be your official girl") and authority ("be a shame to say you lost me / but if you want that it's a wrap and I won't look back")," concluding "It's that perfect juxtaposition between hard and soft that makes so much R'n'B work.
"[38] CFCF remixed the track, with The Fader detailing, "where he takes the robotic detachment of the original and transforms it into a song full of warm sci-fi synth ripples that conveniently emphasize the ultra-creepiness of Wayne's verse.
Fact gave the remix a score of three and a half, remarking that Deadboy "doesn't do much on this edit bar speed up the vocal, add a drum loop and a sea-sick, loping synth melody, but it works brilliantly.
"[37] Matthew Schnipper of The Fader wrote that "he's reassigned the upper hand to Cassie, an ultimatum song, not a dear diary rant about side chick status.
[25][32][46] Cassie affirmed that she couldn't take credit for Lil Wayne's guest appearance as Diddy surprised her with his verse and cameo, who she considered to be "one of the best rappers out right now.
"[21] At the end of the video, dissatisfied and tired of the uncertainty, Cassie decides to call off the relationship by going to her love interest's offices and "show him what he'll be missing."
[50] Seventeen admired the styling, highlighting the Givenchy boots she wears in the beginning of the video and observing, "I mean seriously can this girl get anymore fly?
"[51] "Official Girl" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot Videoclip Tracks chart for the week of September 13, 2008, which ranked component digital sales and airplay, becoming the first ever to do so.