Fireworks (feat. Alicia Keys)
Drake admitted that this song was directly about falling in love. He had a romantic fling with Rihanna in 2009 after she requested him to write a song for her. He talks about how fast things happened and how it left him a bit heartbroken when things calmed down because she was still linked to a relationship with Chris Brown, meaning Drake couldn’t be with her. At the time, Drake was also in his early 20s and deeply focused on his career, making sure that his goal of becoming a successful rapper went through. In the end, he completely made it happen.
Fancy (feat. Swizz Beatz & T.I.)
This song was actually originally meant for Mary J. Blige, but Drake kept the track for his own album. You can still hear Mary J. Blige singing smooth vocal harmonies at the very end of the song during the beat switch. Mary J. Blige has always had that authentic “hood singing” style going on that people really appreciate her for, and her sound when it comes to music has always been uniquely different. Drake deeply likes the singing-rapping hybrid style; when you listen to his music, he is always seamlessly rapping and singing, and it works out incredibly well for him.
Up All Night (feat. Nicki Minaj)
This song was recorded entirely on a tour bus parked somewhere in Kentucky during the time he was traveling between 2009 and early 2010. In this modern technological era, there are so many options available if you are too busy to get to a standard studio. Nowadays, artists are not even going to traditional studios; they are recording inside their houses directly on their phones and uploading the tracks straight to YouTube or Spotify. It is entirely possible now to build a career without ever stepping into a professional studio—just like Lil Nas X recording his massive hit song on his phone.
The Resistance
Drake has revealed that when it comes to structuring his songs, he gets heavy inspiration from OutKast’s André 3000. This makes perfect sense because André 3000 is a master of both singing and rapping, and it works out very well for him. Songwriting is an art form, and finding inspiration is the ultimate key, especially in this modern era. Nas has been another massive inspiration for Drake because he wanted to write lyrics that people could visually picture. Nas has always been legendary in that department; he knows exactly how to structure his lyrics to make them interesting enough for listeners to visualize. On this specific track, Drake goes on deep, honest rants about fame and his family life as well.
Light Up (feat. Jay-Z)
Securing this song was a massive victory for Drake back in 2010. He was only a few years into his official career and was already able to land a feature with Jay-Z. The song serves to guide and navigate Drake when it comes to handling fake friends and legal traps within the music industry. Having an icon like Jay-Z give you a co-sign like that provides a massive boost to your career. It shows that it is a great thing when the older generation actively works with the younger artists coming up, as it truly helps them break through in the music industry.
Over
Drake experienced massive anxiety when it came to this song because he initially felt like it wasn’t good enough. He actually hated the hook because he thought it was way too simple. However, sometimes less is better. His co-producer ultimately convinced him that it was going to be a major hit. Often, the songs you think are not going to do well end up doing the best because you aren’t overthinking them; you are just purely writing them. This proves that having someone around you with a good ear for music is very important, as it can make a huge difference in the final outcome.
Show Me a Good Time
Kanye West produced this song. Kanye is an incredibly talented producer who knows exactly how to rap, produce, write, and build a highly successful brand—he is someone who knows what they are doing and knows how to make it last. Drake and Kanye had a great vibe together when they made music. Drake started his career around the time when social media platforms like Instagram didn’t even exist yet, which actually made it easier to ensure career longevity. He started at the perfect time, and that foundational era helped him remain completely relevant today.
Shut It Down (feat. The-Dream)
The-Dream revealed that this song marked the actual end of his relationship with Drake. He performed a massive 7-minute hook on the track as a personal favor. Later, The-Dream asked Drake for a feature in return, but Drake never responded, and they haven’t worked together since. The-Dream has worked with so many different people in the industry and is highly popular, deserving a lot of praise for his extensive catalog. When it comes to doing favors, there are some people who feel like they can accept favors from others but won’t return the opposite. Drake basically got exactly what he wanted from the track and didn’t feel obligated to do anything for anyone else.
Miss Me (feat. Lil Wayne)
The music video had to be shot in a rush on a giant green screen right before Lil Wayne had to turn himself in to Rikers Island to serve an 8-month prison sentence. Southern rap legend Bun B also has uncredited background vocals in the final mix. Lil Wayne was truly the one to put Drake on the map, and Drake holds immense respect for him. When you see how Drake talks about him, you can feel that genuine love. The legendary era of Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne making Young Money what it is completely changed the music industry for the better and did incredibly well.
Find Your Love
Kanye West originally wrote this song during his emotional 808s & Heartbreak studio sessions and initially gave it to Rihanna. However, Drake took it and turned it into a massive hit, and it became a highly successful song. Sometimes rejections end up being a blessing in disguise, turning into major triumphs where everyone ends up loving the final product.
Thank Me Now
The legendary producer Timbaland completely crafted this closing song, and Drake used the track to boldly crown himself as the new king of rap.
