drake Archives

Talib Kweli Reveals What He Thinks Is Missing From Today’s Hip-Hop & Journalism

In a recent interview for Cultured Vultures, rapper Talib Kweli opened up to a young writer about the topical and philosophical, ranging from his thoughts on Indie 500, Hip-Hop's global appeal, the state of music journalism, and much more. Kweli's pedigrees as both an accomplished activist and writer are repeatedly... Read more

November 23, 2015 Fresh

Anthony Hamilton Puts The Gospel In Hotline Bling And Gives It New Meaning (Video)

With all the covers, remixes and non-stop plays of the original, Drake's "Hotline Bling," which was already derivative, will not die. And, just when it seemed there could not be another original re-invention of the song, enter Anthony Hamilton and his group, The Hamiltones. Hamilton has always been a singer... Read more

November 12, 2015 Video

Erykah Badu Has a New Mixtape Coming Next Week. What Will Its Future Hold?

Erykah Badu gave legs to Drake's "Hotline Bling," courtesy of her own, extended rendition. This was even before Drizzy's meme mushroom-clouding video released. As her Soundcloud page alluded, many speculated that the interpretative cover would belong to a forthcoming mixtape. In a new interview with Noisey, Ms. Badu confirms that... Read more

October 27, 2015 News

Are Paid Streaming Services Relevant In A YouTube, SoundCloud, DatPiff-Dominated Hip-Hop World?

Some of the biggest Hip-Hop albums of 2015 were released without much advanced notice. In August, Dr. Dre released Compton, his first studio album of the millennium, and the third in an illustrious lineage that includes The Chronic and 2001, just a couple weeks after it was announced. However, at... Read more

October 24, 2015 Food for Thought

Wale Talks About Much More Than MMG Drama & A Gossipy Headline Can Capture (Video)

Yesterday (October 21), Wale visited the Breakfast Club at Power 105.1FM in New York City for an interview. For more than an hour, the D.C. rapper discussed his career, the current state of Maybach Music Group, as well as his thoughts about the now infamous Drake and Meek Mill kerfuffle.... Read more

October 22, 2015 Video

Here’s A Mix of Familiar & Fresh Songs To Fire Up Your Week (Playlist)

With a long, hot, and ever-exciting summer now transitioning to fall, here is a new playlist of both new and more throwback singles, plus approved album cuts. This mix nods to stand-out tracks from the last year and beyond. This living, breathing playlist keeps building and growing. This time around,... Read more

October 19, 2015 Playlists

Erykah Badu’s Drake Cover Breaks New Ground & Returns Home At Once (Audio)

Preparing her alleged upcoming mixtape, Erykah Badu appears to be trying some new things. "Hotline Bling" covers Drake's recent scorcher, but on Badu's terms. From the mixtape reportedly called But U Cain't Use My Phone, Erykah offers some "Buduism" in a song co-written with her son, Seven Benjamin (Andre 3000's... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Energy Freestyle Comes To Living Color (Video)

Back in late March, Styles P was amidst a rampage of weekly freestyles, sometimes releasing in bursts. One of those snatched Drake's "Energy" instrumental (produced by Boi-1da), and waxed two minutes of warning shots against all suitors. In high Summer, S.P. The Ghost gets his rooftop on and his bucket-hat... Read more

August 18, 2015 Video

This Streaming Music Mix Is A 52 Song Pick-You-Up (Playlist)

Lots of great music has been releasing as of late. Whether YG's G-Funk revival "Twist My Fingers," Lil Dicky and Snoop Dogg's job interview-in-rhyme, or Drake's surgical Meek Mill reply "Back To Back," there is plenty of diversity, tangibility, and value in music in 2015. Artists are steadily moving their... Read more

August 17, 2015 Playlists

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Is First 2015 Hip-Hop Project To Reach Platinum

Just weeks following his social media ambush from collaborator-turned-foe Meek Mill, Drake adds another accolade to his resume. Drake's February, 2015 release, If You're Reading This It's Too Late has been certified platinum, according to respected source, Chart News. Drake also confirmed the news: Platinum off the tape. Views up... Read more

August 10, 2015 News

Yasiin Bey Clarifies His Rap Challenge & Questions Hip-Hop’s Battling Tradition (Audio)

Yesterday (August 7), the Internet was rattled with a video of Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) challenging "anybody and everybody" against a team of himself, The Roots' Black Thought, and King Los. One day later (August 8), an upset Bey released a nearly 10-minute audio clarification. In the message, Yasiin... Read more

August 8, 2015 Audio

After All the Drake/Meek Mill Hype, Does Waka Flocka Have the Hardest RICO Verse? (Audio)

Waka Flocka Flame is underrated as a spitter. Though he burst on the scene with party-starters, like "No Hands," that showcased a more simplistic MC style, he released a mixtape and several tracks in 2014 where he truly went hard in the paint, lyrically. Now, in a moment that is... Read more

August 6, 2015 Audio

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2015 (Audio)

July has traditionally been slow for Hip-Hop releases, but 2015 proved to be the exception. The month brought new music from a wide variety of artists and set the stage for a blockbuster August, with the return of Dr. Dre and Warren G. Here are the best Hip-Hop songs of... Read more

August 5, 2015 Mixes

The Game & Drake Keep It 100 in Compton (Video)

With the Game's much anticipated The Documentary 2 scheduled to drop August 28, the Compton MC has put out two singles thus far, beginning with April's "Ryda" featuring Dej Loaf. The second single, "100," features Drake and the two put in some serious lyrical work on the track. In addition... Read more

July 31, 2015 Video

Meek Mill Responds, At Last. Is It Drake’s Nightmare Or Is Meek Dreamin’? (Audio)

Tonight (July 30), Meek Mill was expected to formally reply to Drake by verse. More than one week since the Maybach Music Group MC began a social media attack on his recurring collaborator, he has yet to record a record—that even he has promised the public. In that span, Drake... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio, News

Drake Accuses Meek Mill Of Riding On Nicki Minaj’s Coattails In New Diss Record (Audio)

One week later, Drake and Meek Mill are still at it. Meek may have started things, with a social media rant that called out his collaborator for relying on writers as well as an inferred line regarding Nicki Minaj. However, Drake is still the only half of the sides at... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio

If Drake Is Responding To Meek Mill, It’s In This Charged Up Song (Audio)

In a week that has been anything but conventional, Drake has remained un-phased. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning MC/singer was accused of using writers by onetime friend/collaborator Meek Mill in a late-night social media barrage on July 21. In the days that followed, Funkmaster Flex released a "10 Bandz" reference track... Read more

July 26, 2015 Audio

Quentin Miller Breaks Silence, Refuting Drake Ghostwriter Allegations

Quentin Miller has transcended from an aspiring Atlanta, Georgia MC to quite arguably, Hip-Hop's most talked about new artist in just days. Following a Meek Mill diatribe on social media, Drake had been accused of employing ghostwriters. Notably, Meek called out his associate of several years, apparently alleging that recent... Read more

July 25, 2015 News

Lupe Fiasco Says Commercialism Has Ruined Hip-Hop, Not Ghostwriting

Over the course of the last several days, the topic of ghostwriting has entered the conversation about Hip-Hop in a very powerful way. As a trending topic across several social-media platforms (due largely to Meek Mill's public accusation of Drake, who he claims is a used a writer for the... Read more

July 23, 2015 News

Meek Mill Reveals the Ghost Writer He Claims Wrote Drake’s R.I.C.O. Verse (Video)

From The D.O.C. to Royce Da 5'9", Skillz to Ice Cube, Hip-Hop has a long line of famous ghostwriters. High profile albums such as Dr. Dre's 2001, Salt-n-Pepa's Very Necessary, and Kanye West's Yeezus are assembled around raps written by artists besides those who voiced the words. Drake, who has... Read more

July 23, 2015 Video

Where Does Rick Ross Stand in the Meek Mill/Drake Beef? For Now, He’s Claiming Family Ties (Video)

Sometimes things just fall into place. Moments after Maybach Music Group's latest #1 product, Meek Mill, called out Drake's rhyme-writing on social media, Rick Ross expressed his solidarity, sharing Meek's words. According to some late-night web-surfers, the symbolic act came after R.R. first sided with Drizzy—before deleting a highly-controversial tweet... Read more

July 22, 2015 Video

Meek Mill Says Drake Does Not Write His Own Rhymes. Pillow Talk?

The same week that watched former collaborators Ghostface Killah and Action Bronson enter at least a one-sided beef, the trend continues. Meek Mill was at Drake's side in the famed 2012 club incident that resulted in lawsuits, and an all-out attack between Drake and Chris Brown. On July 22, via... Read more

July 22, 2015 News

Meek Mill and Drake Re-Team on a Track So Hard, It’s Criminal (Audio)

After a nearly three year break since the release of his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, Meek Mill's follow up, Dreams Worth More Than Money, is in stores now. One of the standout songs on the album is the hard-hitting "R.I.C.O.," featuring Meek's frequent collaborator, Drake. The sparse track finds... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

Whether It’s Fans or Friends, Game & Drake Only Want The Real (Audio)

With his highly anticipated album The Documentary 2 slated for a June 30 release, the Game is poised to drop a summer blockbuster of a record. The ardor surrounding the release has been satiated, albeit only slightly, with the release of a mini-documentary with behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process,... Read more

June 25, 2015 Audio

Obey Your Thirst, And Some Nas, Biggie, Drake, & Rakim Lyrics While You’re At It…

One of the first companies to respect and reflect Hip-Hop for the force that it is will be honoring the culture again. Soon, cans with lyrics by Rakim, Nas, Biggie and Drake will be in stores across the nation. Sprite has launched a new line of limited edition products sporting... Read more

June 11, 2015 News

Drake Makes Waves Of His Own As The Face Of Apple’s New Music Service

Today (June 8), the forthcoming Apple Music is not starting from the bottom. The electronics giant announced at San Francisco, California's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that Apple Music is on its way—June 30 to be specific. Moreover, Hip-Hop superstar Drake was on hand for the affair. Wearing a vintage Apple... Read more

June 8, 2015 News

Jesse Boykins III Shares His Own Wonder Years In The Form Of Polaroids (Video)

Jesse Boykins III has released the video for his single "The Wonder Years," off of his 2014 LP Love Apparatus. Boykins, a Bilal protege, has stayed consistent through putting his own spin on popular songs, like Drake and Jhene Aiko's "From Time." This visual is compilations of images of Jesse's recent... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

If Eminem’s Stan Was a Movie About Drake, It Would Look Like This (Video)

Writer and director Christopher Cole has put together an ironic and deeply satirical short film about a man's obsession with Drake. The clip, titled If You're Reading This It's Too Late, simultaneously extols the Young Money MC's virtues as an artist, while making sly puns of his lyrics and song... Read more

May 18, 2015 Video

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late CD Bonus Sounds As If It Belongs (Audio)

Bonus songs are a tricky concept anymore. Firstly, should they be considered or not? In the case of Kurupt's "Callin' Out Names," the angsty outbreak on Rap peers was a defining point to 1999's Streetz Iz A Mutha. 2Pac's "Pain," which was only available on early Above The Rim soundtrack... Read more

April 13, 2015 Audio

Styles P Snatches Drake’s Beat For An Energetic Freestyle (Audio)

Drake's given everybody "Energy" on If You're Reading This It's Too Late. Styles P has energy to give, and he takes the Boi-1da-produced beat, and gives a 90 second verbal massage. With emphasized bars and that signature cadence, S.P. The Ghost has really dazzled late March with a series of... Read more

March 26, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 20, 2015 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar’s Butterfly Soars, Breaking Spotify’s Record

The same day that The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill is announced as a diamond certification, selling 10 million confirmed copies, Kendrick Lamar reaches a numerically similar benchmark. The Compton, California native's sophomore major label LP, To Pimp A Butterfly has been confirmed to have streamed 9.6 million times in... Read more

March 17, 2015 News

Da Brat Rhymes on Big Sean’s Blessings and ABSOLUTELY SMASHES IT (Audio)

MC Lyte. Queen Latifah. Lauryn Hill. Missy. Those names are often mentioned in the discussion of great MCs who happen to be women, but now-a-days people act like they forgot about Da Brat...The first lady of So So Def Records was actually the first solo female rapper to have an... Read more

March 12, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Are There 3 Hotter Rappers In 2015 Than Big Sean, Drake & Kanye West? (Video)

Although 2015 is only in its third month, are there three bigger Rap artists for the current calendar than Big Sean, Drake, and Kanye West? Kanye's latest media swarm has everybody abuzz, leading up to God Help Me. Drake shocked the universe last month with his second gold-selling mixtape, If... Read more

March 3, 2015 Video

Raekwon Explains Ghostface’s Biggie Diss on The Purple Tape. Goes Deep on Wu History (Video)

After more than 20 years in Hip-Hop, Raekwon has some stories...lots of them. He sat down with Sway and had as deep of a conversation as you will ever hear from the Wu-Tang Clan killer bee. The OGs covered a lot of ground, starting with how the Wu changed the... Read more

February 28, 2015 Video

Get to Know the Kinder, Gentler Kanye West in this Candid Interview (Video)

On The Low End Theory, Q-Tip famously rapped about "the way things work in cycles." That being said, Kanye West is hitting specific media spots, and doing complete 180's from his late 2013 campaign. Once perceived as angry, arrogant, and easily aggravated during his post-Yeezus run, 'Ye is righting his... Read more

February 26, 2015 Video

If You’re Reading This Its Not Too Late To Stream Drake’s Newest Mixtape (Audio)

In addition to last night's (February 12) iTunes release of Drake's If You're Reading This Its Too Late mixtape, October's Very Own has now offered a stream of the project. Although there are no features, the Cash Money Records-backed work includes production from Noah "40" Shebib, Boi-1da, Partynextdoor, Travi$ Scott,... Read more

February 13, 2015 Audio

Drake Upstages Everybody With The Ultimate Sneak Attack Move

Despite all the major fanfare transpiring in Manhattan tonight with NBA All Star activities and the march to Fashion Week, Drake (who was in attendance at Roc City Classic) may be out for the gusto. Just as he did more than five years ago, Drizzy delivered a mixtape, cleverly titled... Read more

February 12, 2015 News

Step Inside the Mind of Drake With This Moody and Introspective Film (Video)

Taking a page from the playbook of Childish Gambino (and perhaps Kanye West), Drake has released a dark and brooding short film. Jungle is more allegory than narrative and finds Drake playing a character in deep reflection as he experiences a series of seemingly unrelated events. While it is clear... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

Eminem’s Marshall Mathers 2 LP Crowned Rap Album Of The Year, Take A Closer Look

At last night's (February 8) 57th Grammy Awards, Eminem's Marshall Mathers 2 LP grabbed "Rap Album Of The Year" honors. This is the fifth time Em has received these honors, in a career that has witnessed seven studio albums (not including Infinite). The Detroit, Michigan superstar MC/producer was not on... Read more

February 9, 2015 News

Drake, Wiz Khalifa & Childish Gambino Can Make Fun Of Themselves, Or Read Along As You Make Fun Of Them (Video)

Many of today's elite Rap superstars may seem immune to the rough, rugged, and raw criticism they receive on social media. Short of Wale and Lupe Fiasco, not many of the chart-topping artists will entertain the trolls. As guests on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," the stars are asked to confront some... Read more

February 3, 2015 Video

Big Sean, Drake & Kanye West Bless the Mic Over a Rugged Beat (Audio)

Big Sean, Drake and Kanye West have come together on one track for the first time in almost four years, on the remix to Big Sean's "Blessings." The song is from Sean's forthcoming album, Dark Sky Paradise. The three artists last worked together Kanye West's "All of the Lights (Remix)"... Read more

January 30, 2015 Audio

It’s the End of an Era. Lil Wayne is Suing Birdman & Cash Money Records for $51 Million.

After months of decrying Cash Money Records, and it's co-owner Birdman, Lil Wayne has gotten extremely serious about his efforts to permanently sever the relationship with the label that has been his home for nearly 20 years. According to TMZ, Wayne has filed a lawsuit against Cash Money seeking $51... Read more

January 28, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Drake vs. Big Sean…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 20, 2015 Fresh

It’s a New Year and Young Buck is Having His Cake and Eating it Too (Video)

"Y'all don't know how hard it is to keep 50 calm...Imagine a soldier talking to the Don, saying "That's enough cuz. The war is won...'" Young Buck goes in over Drake's "Pound Cake" beat and commands it like a warrior rising up the ranks. There's a lot of real talk... Read more

January 4, 2015 Video

Puff Daddy & Drake Got Physical Over The 0 to 100 Beat. Cameras Don’t Lie (Video)

Reports flooded the Internet Monday morning (December 8) that the unlikely pair of Drake and Puff Daddy came to a physical altercation over the weekend. Diddy, as he was then known, brought Drizzy on board for his Last Train To Paris album (single "Loving You No More") with Diddy Dirty... Read more

December 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Wiz Khalifa vs. Drake…Who You Got? (Video)

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

December 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lecrae & Childish Gambino Join Drake, Eminem & Kendrick Lamar In 2015 Grammy Nominations

The flagship 57th annual Grammy Award nominations have been announced, in part, as they are being rolled out gradually this year. After 2014's controversial "Best Rap Performance" win by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, two more independent artists have been nominated for 2014. Reach Records star Lecrae has been nominated for... Read more

December 5, 2014 Fresh