Chicago Freestyle

Drake’s “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” Turns 3: Stream “Chicago Freestyle” Feat. Giveon To Celebrate

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If there’s anyone who’s been feeding their fans quality work with consistency over the past few years, it’s Drake. 2022 saw the arrival of both Honestly, Nevermind and Her Loss with 21 Savage, both of which will be performed on the duo’s quickly approaching (and highly-priced) It’s All A Blur tour. Before that, in 2020 he boosted the mood amid the COVID-19 pandemic with 14 new titles on Dark Lane Temo Tapes. Today (May 1), that project is celebrating its third anniversary, giving you the perfect excuse to revisit it on DSPs.

If you don’t have time to stream the nearly 50-minute-long effort, we suggest revisiting one of the most popular titles from the tracklist, “Chicago Freestyle,” which is always guaranteed to invoke plenty of emotion thanks to Giveon’s beautiful vocals. Of course, Champagne Papi also does his thing over the Noel Cadastre and Sevn Thomas-produced beat, chiefly reflecting on the most important lessons he’s learned throughout his years spent climbing to the top of the charts, and the industry.

Revisit Drake and Giveon’s “Chicago Freestyle”

Aside from that joint track, Drake also worked with several other friends on DLDT. Chris Brown came through for “Not You Too,” while he and Future made magic together on “Desires.” Other familiar voices we hear include Young Thug, Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign, and Sosa Geek. As for solo songs, some of the 36-year-old’s highest-streamed work on this project is “Toosie Slide,” “War,” and “From Florida With Love.”

Even with all of the aforementioned releases, the father of one has been teasing even more coming our way in the near future on social media. It remains unclear when, or what, he plans to drop next, but we’ll certainly keep you posted as we find out more. Revisit Drake’s “Chicago Freestyle” featuring Giveon on YouTube above, or add the fan favourite to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. What’s your favourite title from Dark Lane Demo Tapes? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later this week for more streaming recommendations.

Quotable Lyrics:

AMEX had a limit in the past
I had plenty women in the past
I done plenty sinnin’ in the past
You don’t need to know, but you can ask

Drake Made A Surprise Appearance During Giveon’s Toronto Show — Which Even Surprised Giveon

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giveon
Getty Image

Although Long Beach-bred R&B singer Giveon was well on his way to a healthy recording career before connecting with Drake, there’s little doubt that the superstar’s cosign on their Dark Lane Demo Tapes collaboration “Chicago Freestyle” helped launch Giveon to a new level of stardom himself. So it’s fitting that during Giveon’s Toronto tour stop, Drake — the city’s unofficial ambassador since 2009 — made a surprise appearance, popping out from backstage to greet his hometown crowd and bless the show during a performance of their collaboration.

Funnily enough, no one seemed as surprised as Giveon when Drake appeared from the smoke on stage to wrap him up in a bear hug as he played the piano. Although Drake quickly returned backstage, Giveon was left grinning bashfully as the crowd continued to cheer for his surprise guest.

Giveon himself later posted an Instagram Story expressing his disbelief at the sneak attack, writing, “Can’t believe my brother surprised me tonight! Toronto! I love you guys. So much love every time!”

giveon drake toronto show instagram
Instagram

Drake has had a habit of surprising collaborators and artists he enjoys, although it hasn’t always gone to plan. In 2019, he bestowed his blessing on YSL rapper Lil Keed in Los Angeles and at DaBaby’s Toronto tour stop, and in 2020, he popped out at Post Malone’s show in Toronto. However, fans at Tyler The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival booed him after waiting at the main stage all day in hopes of catching Frank Ocean. He took the moment of humility in stride, joking that he’d put in a 10-year residency at the festival if Tyler let him. Fortunately, this time around, he didn’t have to.