During an interview with Vulture, Kaytranada revealed that he was seemingly approached to work on Drake’s album, Honestly, Nevermind.
While attending a Coachella after-party, Kaytranada said he was fielded to see if he would open to produce on the body of work or “make beats.” At the moment, he replied to Drake’s supposed representative saying it would be “an honor.” However, that didn’t go over well with Drake.
After time had passed, Kaytranada alleged that word got back to him to that his “Sure, hit me up” response wasn’t warm enough. “Was I supposed to be like, ‘Oh my God, for real? Drake?’ I’m not like that,” he said.
The 2022 project, which featured singles “Sticky,” “Massive,” and “Jimmy Cooks,” was Drake’s head dive into dance music. Alight the album went to debut atop the charts, a collaboration from Kaytranada could’ve helped it remain in the top spot for much longer.
Drake wasn’t the only superstar to fumble a collaboration with Kaytranada. Later in the conversation, he confessed why his beloved remix of Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” track isn’t available to streaming platforms. Ultimately, Kaytranada nixed the upload due to financial reasons.
“Sometimes people don’t see your worth and how important you are,” he said. “I know what I mean to people.” His response was after he claimed Beyoncé’s team offered to pay him next to nothing or “less money than what much smaller artists have paid” while “retaining all the rights to the song.”
It appears Kaytranada has no problem walking away from what doesn’t serve him.
2024 really is the year of Drake hate, although this most recent example in that saga is not only not a hater example, but also not new information, either. Moreover, KAYTRANADA recently engaged in a new interview with Vulture in which he revealed some extra details about the 6ix God and his team once approaching him to produce on the OVO mogul’s 2022 house album, Honestly, Nevermind. The Canadian producer recalled once again how the approach came about, and this time around, he theorized as to what it was about his response that prompted Drizzy’s camp to never reach out again to make the link-up happen.
“[KAYTRANADA] was approached at a Coachella after-party in L.A. to make beats for Honestly, Nevermind, and though he says it would have been ‘an honor,’ he later overheard that it fell through because his casual response — ‘Sure, hit me up’ — lacked fawning enthusiasm,” the article read. “Was I supposed to be like, ‘Oh my God, for real? Drake?’ I’m not like that,” he added. This lines up pretty well with what KAYTRA had already said about this moment.
KAYTRANADA Revisits The Story Of Almost Working On Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind
KAYTRANADA reveals how he nearly produced for Drake’s ‘Honestly, Nevermind’…
“[I] was approached at a Coachella after-party in L.A. to make beats for Honestly, Nevermind, and though he says it would have been “an honor,” he later overheard that it fell through because his… pic.twitter.com/rdZ7cs2je2
“I met Drake in L.A. one time, and that was it, really,” KAYTRANADA expressed during an interview with MONTREALITY last December. “At one point, one of his boys was like, ‘Your boy wants some beats. He’s gonna do a house album.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, sure, hit me up.’ That’s my thing: anybody that wanna work with me, just hit me up. Maybe my reaction rubbed them the wrong way, but I was just saying, ‘Hey, if you’re serious, hit me up, let’s work, for real.’” The TIMELESS creative then never heard from The Boy again, and although this isn’t really cause for any sort of beef, it landed in the perfect context for those discussions.
But let’s not pit one Canadian artist against another. Rather, we hope that Drake and KAYTRANADA eventually link up and make some magic together. After all, we saw how much the latter could add to a lyricist’s sonic pallet thanks to his work with Mach-Hommy and 03 Greedo earlier in 2024. If “#RICHAXXHAITIAN” doesn’t convince you that Aubrey needs to hop on KAYTRA’s production, we don’t know what will.
Drake has been releasing tons of behind-the-scenes content through his 100gigs.org website. Now, though, a model/actress affiliated with one the artist’s past music videos is giving the public similar access. According to HipHopDX and TheComfortable Pod, Riley Simpson, an LA native, was one of the many wives in the visuals for Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind track, “Falling Back”. She was invited onto The Comfortable Pod recently and she divulged on her experience on set for the five days she was asked to be there. Overall, Simpson seemed to have a great time throughout the process, even calling Drake “the coolest person ever” and saying that he was taking care of everyone involved.
“Like, he was listening. We could be across the room like, ‘I’m hungry,’ and he’d be like, ‘What do you want to eat?’”, Simpson explains. She also went onto mention how they were going to lunches and dinners with full bars every day. However, Simpson also talked about some of the things she witnessed and laid out some of the restrictions while she was with Drake. “You couldn’t pull your phone out. You weren’t allowed to record anything, you weren’t allowed to take pictures in your dress, nothing”, she began.
“And if you did, you would go home. So, there were girls that got sent home on day one”. Moreover, Simpson says that some girls took too much advantage of the bars. “There were girls that would get too f***ed up – sent home”. Furthermore, some were just being straight up disrespectful, “There were girls that made fun of his hair – sent home. They made fun of his hair”! It appears that those women cost themselves quite a bit of publicity and “a s*** ton of money”. It sounds like Drake is a nice guy, but you certainly don’t want to test your luck.
What are your thoughts on the model’s recounting of her time shooting the “Falling Back” music video with Drake? Do you think this will somehow be used against the rapper in the future? Was it right for him to send those women home for what they did? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
All the way back in 2008, Kanye West released his 4th album 808s & Heartbreak. The project opted for neither the throwback rap style of West’s first two projects or the ultra-contemporary bling rap of his third album Graduation which it succeeded by just a year. Despite that shift, the album did have hits like “Heartless” and “Love Lockdown” but it was met with mixed reviews. In the years since, the record has been upheld as an influential early innovator of the trap stylings that would eventually go on to dominate the rap world. Through that lens the album has garnered much more critical acclaim in retrospect.
Now, producer Gordo thinks there’s another album that could follow a similar path to eventual acclaim. Honestly, Nevermind was met with much harsher criticism when Drake dropped the surprise shake up back in 2022. Fans called the project boring and forgettable despite his shift into an entire new style, house music. Like 808s, the album did produce some hits like “Jimmy Cooks,” “Sticky,” and “Massive.” During a recent interview with Complex, Gordo shared his full thoughts on why he thinks the album is destined to eventually achieve more acclaim than it currently gets. Check out what he had to say below.
He cited what he sees as the influence of Honestly, Nevermind after it dropped. “We all know that when Drake does something, everyone follows. Kanye does something, everyone follows. There’s a couple people who when they do something, everyone follows,” he began. “And that album, I feel like everyone ended up following, and people who don’t know house music and don’t know that type of vibe, especially the Afro-House vibe that was on that album, is the most popular sh*t out right now,” he elaborated.
What do you think of Gordo’s claims that Honestly, Nevermind will eventually be revered in the same way 808s & Heartbreak is? Do you agree with him that the house album turned out to be more influential than it currently gets credit for? Let us know in the comment section below.
Kaytranada has revealed that Drake’s team initially reached out to him about working on Honestly, Nevermind. “I met Drake in L.A. one time, and that was it, really. At one point, one of his boys was like, ‘Your boy wants some beats. He’s gonna do a house album.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, sure, hit me up.’ That’s my thing: anybody that wanna work with me, just hit me up. Maybe my reaction rubbed them the wrong way, but I was just saying, ‘Hey, if you’re serious, hit me up, let’s work, for real,’” he told Montreality.
Despite a mixed critical reception, Honestly, Nevermind was still a No. 1 album, continuing Drake’s trend of top-charting albums. Honestly, Nevermind was Drake’s seventh, with For All The Dogs becoming his eighth this year. However, despite it not being made explicit in Kaytranada’s interview, he was ultimately not involved in Honestly, Nevermind.
Furthermore, speaking of Drake albums, For All The Dogs, his release from 2023, got a lot of praise after it (finally) dropped. Jim Jones declared For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition his best album of the year. Jones gave his answer at ComplexCon. “That extendo clip that Drake just dropped got real spooky on n-ggas,” Jones explained. However, he also gave props to Too Good To Be True and Utopia. The six-song deluxe EP recently helped push the Drake product back to the top of the Billboard album charts. Despite the success of the album, last week only marked its second week at No. 1. It displaced Stray Kids’ ROCK-STAR, which tumbled to No. 7.
Furthermore, For All The Dogs has also reached platinum certification last month. For All The Dogs then returned to No. 1, holding off another resurgence from 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which spent another week at No. 2. Ironically, the first track of Drake’s EP shouts out Taylor Swift. “Taylor Swift the only n-gga that I ever rated. Only one could make me drop the album just a little later. Rest of y’all, I treat you like you never made it,” Drake raps on “Red Button”.
This new decade has seen Drake continue to be a dominant force in the music industry as he consistently shares new music, topping the charts and breaking streaming records in the process. He recently dropped his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs just in time to conclude his It’s All A Blur Tour of North America. The new record follows a trilogy of albums, including the collaborative Her Loss with 21 Savage, last year’s Honestly, Nevermind, and 2021’s Certified Lover Boy. A new Drake release is guaranteed to divide listeners, and it appears that the reception of For All the Dogsis no different. Despite these mixed opinions, Drizzy is not afraid to clap back.
Drake’s output so far this decade has been prolific, releasing at least one full-length album each year. The quick turnaround between projects is commendable and is deserving of some time off. In a recent episode of his Sound 42 radio show, Drake announced that he will be taking a break from music, “For maybe a year or so.” The Canadian superstar cited stomach problems and his overall health as reasons for his temporary hiatus. To commemorate Drake’s prolific run, the release of For All the Dogs, and his well-deserved break, we are ranking his albums since Certified Lover Boy from worst to best. Take a look at the list below.
4. For All the Dogs (2023)
Drake’s latest album has not been out for very long, so comparing it to his other albums may seem early. While it is still fresh in our minds, For All the Dogs does not stack up against Drake’s previous releases. The album’s bloated tracklist is held back by its runtime and features, with some exceptions. J. Cole, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Bad Bunny contributed standout performances that made for memorable collaborations.
The tracklist has bright moments, but For All the Dogs is ultimately uneven. Lyrically and vocally, Drake has his high points, but there are instances where his performances fall flat. It is a prime example of how Drake can be a victim of his own success with an album that caters to every style. For All the Dogs is still brand new, so only time will tell how it ages in the span of Drake’s discography.
3. Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage (2022)
Drake has recruited 21 Savage for every album since Certified Lover Boy, so it was only right for the two to lock in for an entire joint album. Their collaborative effort, Her Loss, reinvigorated Drake’s rapping skills as he and 21 brought out the best in each other. While the two certainly have chemistry, it does not always translate to making good songs. The project can sometimes be disjointed, but there are plenty of gems on Her Loss.
Songs like “Rich Flex,” “Hours in Silence,” and “Spin Bout U” displayed the duo’s irresistible synergy. Savage held his own, but Drake was the star of the show as his versatility shined throughout the tracklist. His catchy melodies and skillful bars commanded the songs, not to mention “Middle of the Ocean” is arguably one of Drake’s best songs of the decade so far. Her Loss excited with its highlights, but also felt monotonous at times. For that reason, it sits at No. 3 on the list.
2. Certified Lover Boy (2021)
Certified Lover Boy is far from Drake’s best work but has many redeeming qualities. The album’s lengthy tracklist may be inconsistent, but plenty of highlights exist. Its worst moments do not detract from the best tracks that carry the album’s quality. Certified Lover Boy includes one of Drake’s best intro tracks with “Champagne Poetry,” as well as quality collaborations with JAY-Z, Travis Scott, and Tems. Drake sang his heart out with Future and Ty Dolla $ign and reunited with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross for “You Only Live Twice.” The overblown tracklist and overall sequence of For All the Dogs is reminiscent of Certified Lover Boy, but the latter trumps the former with its strongest tracks.
1. Honestly, Nevermind (2022)
Fans were caught off guard with the surprise announcement of Honestly, Nevermind, but even more with the album’s musical direction. Drake primarily sang on his seventh studio album, with the exception of certain tracks. He experimented with moody house music, Baltimore club, and R&B. It made for a unique listening experience distinct from other Drake albums. Honestly, Nevermind displayed Drake’s effortless knack for creating catchy melodies. He may work well with others, but there were no features besides 21 Savage on “Jimmy Cooks.”
Honestly, Nevermind is a concise body of work and a focused effort with a cohesive artistic direction. It is free of moments on For All the Dogs and Certified Lover Boy, where he occasionally sounded creatively stagnant. The album saw Drake exploring uncharted territory, which is what made it such an exciting listen and undoubtedly his best release out of his most recent run.
This time last year, Drakedivided the internet with his Honestly, Nevermind album. It left many of those hoping to hear the Canadian show off his rap skills disappointed, though others who have been leaning into the resurgence of dance music thoroughly enjoyed the 14-track effort. In just a few days, he and 21 Sav are embarking on the It’s All A Blur tour, which will find Drizzy performing songs fromtheir joint LP, Her Loss, as well as his own recent releases like Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the polarizing project, Drake shared the album notes over a black screen on his Instagram Story. “I let my humbleness turn to numbness at times letting time go by knowing I got the endurance to catch it another time,” they begin. “I work with every breath in my body ’cause it’s the work not air that makes me feel alive. That’s some real detrimental shit, but that’s that shit my perfectionist mind doesn’t really mind because no one knows what’s on my mind when I go to sleep at nine and wake up at five – unless I say it in a rhyme.”
The following likes find Drake reflecting on the price of fame, and how most people he meets are more concerned with taking photos together for clout than actually connecting with him. “I got plans I can’t talk about with more than like four guys because the last time I shared ’em with someone on the outside… Well, that’s another story for another night. I was tryna get thru that statement to get to saying I’m not at a time in my life where pats on the shoulder help get me by,” he continues.
“I know everyone that tells me they love me doesn’t love me all the time, especially when I’m doing better than alright and they have to watch it from whatever point they at in their life,” Champagne Papi adds before reminding us he got where he is by “being realistic,” not by “being blind” and sending a shoutout to the late Virgil Abloh. Aside from reflecting on his past releases, Drake has also given us a few new features to enjoy this weekend. On Young Thug’s surprise BUSINESS IS BUSINESS album, the father of one shows out on both “Parade on Cleveland” and “Oh U Went.” Check the tracks out for yourself at the link below, and tap back in later this weekend for more HNHH release recommendations.
Drake is facing a possible lawsuit regarding an allegedly unapproved sample on his song, “Calling My Name.” Ghanaian musician Obrafour claims that Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind track uses “elements” of his 2003 song “Oye Ohene (Remix).” In his legal filing, Obrafour says Drake’s team sent him several emails requesting use of the sample, but he “had not yet responded” when the Toronto rapper went ahead and released the album.
“Nonetheless, the Infringing Work is one of the songs appearing on the Honestly, Nevermind album, as released to the world by ‘surprise’ on June 17, 2022,” the lawsuit states. “The copying of the Sampled Phrase in the Infringing Work is so direct in nature that the audio of the Sampled Phrase heard in the Infringing Work contains little or no audible manipulation, processing, or other alteration to its original character as heard in the Copyrighted Work.”
Drake Performing In Atlanta
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 9: Rapper Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Obrafour is seeking at least $10 million, citing “all profits and damages in the following categories attributable to the infringement” for “Calling My Name.” The suit adds, “To date, over the mere 304 days that have elapsed since the Infringing Work was released, the Infringing Work has already been streamed over 4.1 million times on YouTube, streamed over 47,442,160 times on Spotify, and streamed tens of millions of times on Apple Music.”
Drake released Honestly, Nevermind by surprise back in June 2022. It featured a stylistic change from his normal sound, this time opting for dance and house-inspired songs. It debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with 204,000 album-equivalent units, but was met with divisive responses from fans. The single “Jimmy Cooks,” featuring 21 Savage, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Drake’s eleventh song to do so. Lawsuits aren’t the only issue Drake is dealing with this week. Fans also keep using his voice to create new songs with A.I. technology. Universal Music Group has since called on streaming platforms to take down the songs. They shared a statement addressing the issue online on Tuesday.
