Gordo has really come up in the 2020s. He’s been a DJ for nearly twenty years, but his collabs with Drake have introduced him to a whole new audience. Unsurprisingly, Gordo and Drake have stayed in touch, and continued to collaborate. The former went as far as to suggest that a new collab is going to drop by the end of the week. He posted a video and a photo with the text: “July 12” written over them. The content in both posts is either a supreme case of trolling or a true tease of new Drake.
The video that Gordo posted on his Instagram was taken from the Flagrant podcast. The producer does not appear in the video, but Andrew Schulz and the rest of the panel make reference to him working with Drizzy. “[Drake] does something like that,” the panelist explained. “He did it with Gordo. He saw that this is what people are f**cking with and did it.” The aforementioned photo is even more blatantly meant to evoke the 6 God. It’s a photo of Drake’s Toronto mansion, taken from the inside of a vehicle. July 12 is written across the top of both posts, which aligns with standard Friday rollout for new music.
It’s worth noting that Gordo has cried wolf before. In May, the producer posted a photo alongside Drake with the caption: “You guys reader for summer 2024…” It stirred up so much hype that the IG photo was reposted by DJ Akademiks. As we all know, there was no new Gardo and Drake that followed. A generous reading would be that the release was delayed, and that the song Gardo was referencing is actually the one he’s teasing for July 12. If this Friday comes and goes with nothing from either artist, however, then Gordo credibility as a source will start to wane.
Gordo isn’t the only one claiming new Drake music is on the way. DJ Akademiks claimed that fans should get ready during a Twitch stream on July 8. In contrast to Gordo, Akademiks’ claim was plain and simple. “Drake new music otw,” he told his viewers. “And it’s fye… trust me.” The internet personality has been so adamant about the impending release that he’s actually shot down rumors from other outlets. When fans theorized that Drake would be sampling Michael Jackson’s “Man In the Mirror,” Ak stomped on the story. “Not true,” he tweeted. The good news is, fans won’t have to wait much longer.
The American public is more invested in the ongoing Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef than the upcoming presidential election. Unlike the upcoming presidential election, however, the Drake-Kendrick beef has a clear winner. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” ostensibly ended it, but the “Not Like Us” victory lap is relentless.
Now, even Siri has chosen a side — emphasizing the certified loser of this rap rapture.
HipHopDX’s Jeremy Hecht recorded himself asking Siri to play Drake’s Certified Lover Boy on Spotify, and instead, Kendrick Lamar whispers, “Psst, I see dead people,” which is the intro to “Not Like Us.”
As is my journalistic duty, I also asked Siri to play Certified Lover Boy, Drake’s September 2021 album, on Spotify, and Siri played “Not Like Us.” However, the second time I tried it, Siri did play Certified Lover Boy, so it would appear that Siri’s pettiness is limited to one attempt — or Spotify corrected the glitch. Hilarious, nonetheless.
“I mean, love Drake, love Drake, you always could play him,” DeRozan told Fox 40’s Sean Cunningham in response to whether Drake songs can be played during his games with the Sacramento Kings, his new team. “Kendrick’s been a friend of mine — family, damn near family for a long time, for a while. We from the same city, grew up damn near in the same neighborhood. So, it’s always been there. It hasn’t always been publicized, but that’s basically family.”
With a mix of street reality and melodic sense, Lil Durk, whose real name is Durk Derrick Banks, has made quite a name for himself. At the start of this decade, he arose from Chicago’s drill scene by dropping tapes like Life Ain’t No Joke and Signed to the Streets. Many rappers talk about violence, but Durk raps about what he has seen happen.
It took strength and change for Durk to go from being known only on underground mixtapes to becoming famous worldwide. When “Like Me” emerged as part of his 2015 album Remember My Name, it proved that he was good at making songs people liked. Fans started paying attention, so he did more projects such as Lil Durk 2X, which showed off his skills even more, with stories about life being complex sometimes and emotions getting intense too often, represented mainly through gritty narratives.
Though his reputation may be grounded in tales of struggle, there is no denying that this South Side representative has had commercial triumphs. Collaborating with other artists gave him international recognition, but one example would be when Drake featured him on their single, “Laugh Now Cry Later.” Here, we’re looking at five essential tracks that anyone who calls themselves a Durk fan already knows and anyone getting into his catalog needs to hear.
1. “Dis Ain’t What U Want” (2013)
“Dis Ain’t What U Want” was the single that put Lil Durk on the map in 2013. Taken from his mixtape Signed to the Streets, it features Durk’s combination of hard street lyrics and harmonious flow. The track reflects life in Chicago, where he talks about violence and the daily struggles he and his people face. Paris Bueller produced this heavy-hitting beat, which only serves as a backdrop for Durk’s powerful delivery. This makes it one of his most popular songs with fans and critics.
The success of “Dis Ain’t What U Want” marked a turning point for Lil Durk, who became recognized within drill music as more than just another voice from the streets of Chicago. It also received widespread radio play outside city limits, thus showing off his ability to express himself genuinely through music while also opening doors for future projects with other artists in different genres.
2. “My Beyoncé” (Featuring Dej Loaf) (2015)
“My Beyoncé” is a unique song in Lil Durk’s discography. The track features Dej Loaf from Detroit and represents a romantic turn in Durk’s usual street-themed, hard-edged style. It was included in his mixtape 300 Days, 300 Nights and quickly became one of the fans’ favorites. No one can deny that Durk and Dej Loaf were in perfect harmony while recording this song. They both talked about love and faithfulness, resulting in a contemporary rap ballad about relationships that strikes chords with people.
Collaborating with Dej was an important step for Lil Durk as he showed himself as a versatile artist through this feature alone. As “My Beyoncé” proved, he can write tracks suitable for radio stations without sacrificing his realness. The single also gave him much wider recognition than just being loved by drill music enthusiasts. This record will always serve as evidence that Durk has infinite potential when it comes to evolving or experimenting with his craft. It further proved him to be a complex figure among other hip-hop artists today.
3. “Laugh Now Cry Later” (With Drake) (2020)
One of the most significant collaborations in Lil Durk’s career, “Laugh Now Cry Later,” was released in 2020. It also featured global superstar Drake. The lead single of Drake’s forthcoming album Certified Lover Boy, “Laugh Now Cry Later,” has shown how well Durk can mix his style with mainstream pop-rap. Further, Cardo and G. Ry have done a great job producing this song. It combines smooth, catchy beats with soul-searching lyrics that make you think about life.
“Laugh Now Cry Later” was more than just another feature for Lil Durk. It also marked a turning point for him regarding visibility within the mainstream music industry. This joint reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and people got even more curious about who Durk was as an artist. It became clear that he had no limits after this track blew up.
A powerful 2020 collaboration between three of the most influential voices in today’s hip-hop scene, “3 Headed Goat” features Lil Baby and Polo G. The song is off Lil Durk’s fifth album, Just Cause Y’all Waited 2. With this song title, they pay homage to their dominance over rap by incorporating three styles and levels of lyricism into one track. Aviator Keyz & Cicero handled production for the record, which has a heavy-hitting beat with melodically speaking undertones that are easy on the ears – perfect for all three rappers to flex their skills.
This joint was an instant hit, capturing the hearts of both fans and critics alike. It showcases Lil Durk’s ability to collaborate effectively with other top-tier artists as he effortlessly matches paces alongside Lil Baby while still finding his lane next to Polo G. The song peaked at No. 43 on Billboard Hot 100 and shows how much power Durk has on and off the charts. Moreover, “3 Headed Goat” is a prime example, showing off different sides of the Chicago native.
5. “The Voice” (2020)
“The Voice” dropped in 2020 as the key song of Lil Durk’s sixth studio album. It signifies a high point in his career, artistically and personally. What he went through is expressed in this tune, considering where he came from. He grew up on Chicago’s rough streets to becoming one of hip-hop’s biggest voices. The production features chilling piano lines and a slow beat that support the introspective mood of Durk’s thoughtful lyrics. Actually, “The Voice” isn’t merely a nickname. It represents his status as an advocate for the ‘hood with whom many can relate because they share those same hardships and rewards. Additionally, he lost friend and rapper King Von shortly before dropping “The Voice.” This adds another level of emotion and urgency to deeply moving verses.
Drake might be a partner of the online casino app Stake, but he should take a break from placing bets. On Tuesday night, the Copa America semifinals match between Argentina and Canada got underway. This soccer game was a fairly big deal, especially for the latter. This was the first time in the country’s history in which they were able to compete in this quadrennial tournament. Making things even better for Canada was the fact that they were able to advance this far. However, their cinderella run ended at the hands of Lionel Messi and the South American country as they lost, 2-0. As we alluded a second ago, Drake also caught the L by becoming $300,000 less rich.
While it might be chump change to an artist of his stature, it is the bigger picture here that is more relevant. It seems that anytime Drake does anything post the Kendrick Lamar beef, he always manages to get clowned. In that same breath, though, he has mostly done this to himself. Mocking Lionel Messi and Argentina before the match was another one of those mistakes. “This could get Messi [Canadian flag emoji]”, he said while sharing a screenshot of the bet. Because Canada was such an underdog (9.6-1), the payout was massive at $2.88 million.
However, both unlikely scenarios occurred, and the Argentina soccer team’s social media account made sure to rub Drake’s nose in it. Of course, what better way to do that than to taunt him with Kendrick’s “Not Like Us”. On X, they wrote, “Not like us, not with us [Argentina flag emoji]”. Getting dissed by one rapper is bad, but a whole country is just on another level of disrespect.
What are your thoughts on Drake getting made fun of by the Argentina soccer team? Is he one of the worst sports bettors you have seen? How does the rapper bounce back from all of these losses in your eyes? 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 worlds of music and sports.
Drake threw his support behind Canada ahead of Tuesday night’s Copa America semifinal against Argentina. The upstart Canadian side made a surprise run through the tournament, and as a result, Drake decided to put $300,000 on his national team to defeat Lionel Messi and co. in regulation, which would have been a monumental upset.
Unfortunately for Drake and all of our neighbors to the north, that did not happen, as Argentina were able to pick up a 2-0 win at MetLife Stadium to earn a spot in the final. And because everything involving Drake right now ends up making its way back to his feud with Kendrick Lamar, the official Twitter account for Argentina’s national team took this as an opportunity to troll Drake in an extremely obvious way.
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 10, 2024
Messi is usually pretty good at setting people up for tap ins, so it’s good to see that he played a part in doing that for Argentina’s social media manager. As for the game, Canada fought valiantly against the best team in the world, but goals by Julian Alvarez and Messi were able to put Argentina ahead.
Now, the defending Copa America and World Cup winners will sit and wait to see if they’ll play Colombia or Uruguay in the final. It is unclear who Drake would bet on in that game, but regardless of who wins, it should be a good one.
The bad breaks continue for Drake. The bumps and bruises the rapper has taken in the music world have been well documented. In the sports world, however, he hasn’t fared much better. The 6 God bet $500K on the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, and lost. He lost another $500K on the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup. The Drake curse was already working overtime in 2024, and it’s struck again. The rapper lost another staggering amount of money on July 9.
Drake made his confidence in the Canadian soccer team clear the day before. He posted a betting stub on his Instagram Story, confirming that he’d taken betting odds of 9.6-to-1 that his team would triumph over Argentina in the Copa America game. He put down $300K, with potential winnings amounting to $2.88 million. Drake also couldn’t resist poking fun at Argentina’s star, Lionel Messi. “This could get Messi,” he wrote over his ticket. One would assume he wasn’t in a joking mood after Canada lost to Argentina by a score of 2-0.
Drake has been an avid supporter of Canadian soccer for years. He included footage of soccer being played in the music video for “Started from the Bottom” in 2013. More recently, the rapper hyped up the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held in his hometown of Toronto. “Canada as a whole, we have an incredible melting pot,” he told FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “But in Toronto, there are just so many different cultural experiences. So when the world comes, it’s going to be beautiful.” He also claimed that there was “no passion like football passion.”
The Drake curse has been difficult for the rapper to shed in recent years. The storybook run that the Toronto Raptors had in 2019 quelled some of the criticisms surrounding Drake, but the severe losses he’s taken on major sporting events in 2024 has brought the “curse” talk back with a vengeance. It doesn’t help that Kendrick Lamar accused the rapper of having gambling problems on his scathing “Meet the Grahams” diss. “You got gamblin’ problems, drinkin’ problems, pill-poppin’ and spendin’ problems,” Lamar raps. “Bad with money.”
DeMar DeRozan is team Kendrick Lamar. It was clear from the moment he appeared on stage during Lamar’s “Pop Out” show. He danced alongside Russell Westbrook while Lamar performed the ubiquitous “Not Like Us” five times in a row. If DeRozan’s allegiance wasn’t clear enough, he appeared in the music video for the song as well. He sided with his Compton brethren, which didn’t take much explaining. That being said, the NBA superstar shed light on his decision during a recent interview.
DeMar DeRozan went on FOX 40 Sports to discuss his involvement in the music video. He made it clear that he has nothing against Drake, but he was always going to align with K. Dot when it came time for a battle. “Love Drake, always can play him,” he told the reporter. When it came to Kendrick Lamar, though, there was a different level of loyalty. “Kendrick been a friend of mine. Damn near family,” DeRozan stated. “We both from the same city. Grew up damn near in the same neighborhood, it’s always been there.”
DeRozan also conceded that the closeness of his friendship with Lamar may not have been common knowledge prior to the battle. “It hasn’t always been publicized,” he noted. “But that’s basically family.” DeMar DeRozan occupies an even more interesting role in the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle than it initially seems. He was drafted by the Toronto Raptors and spent a decade playing for the team that Drake is a global ambassador for. The All-Star even appeared in comedy sketch with Drake (and Will Ferrell) during the 2016 ESPYS.
The Toronto connection, coupled with the Compton origins, made DeMar DeRozan a prime point of reference for Kendrick Lamar during the battle. Consequently, the rapper mentions DeRozan on the second verse of “Not Like Us.” “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither,” K. Dot raps. “From Alondra down to Central, n**ga better not speak on Serena.” While it’s hard to imagine a friendship between Drake and DeRozan anytime soon, at least the latter showed love during his interview.
DeMar DeRozan has suddenly found himself in the middle of rap’s most high-profile feud. After spending years as a member of the Toronto Raptors and forming a relationship with Drake, DeRozan appeared at Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out concert, then went on stage during as Lamar performed the song “Not Like Us,” and then appeared in the music video for the track.
It led to some questions about whose side he is on here, and fortunately, DeRozan got asked about the whole ordeal by Sean Cunningham of KTXL in Sacramento. Basically, DeRozan still has love for Drake, but his relationship with Lamar goes back a very long time, to the point that he considers him “basically family.”
Asked DeMar DeRozan about his appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” video and if that signaled the end of playing Drake inside Golden 1 Center. pic.twitter.com/0cRtBImfQm
“I mean, love Drake, love Drake, you always could play him,” DeRozan said when asked if they can keep playing Drake at Sacramento Kings games. “Kendrick’s been a friend of mine, family, damn near family for a long time, for a while. We from the same city, grew up damn near in the same neighborhood. So, it’s always been, it hasn’t always been publicized, but that’s basically family.”
DeRozan, of course, is the newest member of the Kings roster after joining the team thanks to a sign-and-trade. Whether Drake or Kendrick attend any Kings games because of this remains to be seen.
A handful of North American teams got the opportunity to participate in Copa America this summer. The tournament, which is usually made up of teams in South America’s footballing federation CONMEBOL, is taking place in the United States this year, but despite that, the USMNT did not make it out of their group. Nor did the other usual powerhouse of North American football, Mexico.
In a surprising turn of events, Canada was able to get out of a group that included Argentina, Chile, and Peru. They came in second place in Group A, got to the knockouts, and won their quarterfinal game against Venezuela in penalties. Now, on Tuesday night, the Canadians will take on Lionel Messi and Argentina with a spot in the final on the line, and in a show of national pride, Drake posted to his Instagram Story that he’s put $300,000 on them pulling off the upset.
Now, I certainly won’t say that this is a guaranteed loss (and I think this one would not classify as the Drake Curse rearing its ugly head), but Canada faces one heck of an uphill climb here. Not only are Argentina the defending winners of this tournament, and not only are they the defending World Cup winners, but the two teams were actually in the same group as one another and played in the opening game of the tournament, which Argentina won, 2-0.
Canada is an incredible story, as they’ve gotten to this point under American manager Jesse Marsch, and the fun quirk of this tournament is that things go right to penalties after regulation, so they wouldn’t need to hold on for dear life through 30 minutes of extra time if things are level after 90 minutes. That means pulling the upset is ever so slightly easier … but that wouldn’t mean much for Drake’s bet, as his bet is for Canada to win in regulation.
Elsewhere, Akademiks has been Drake’s whisperer throughout the entire beef with Kendrick Lamar. So his next statement may be surprising: “The Drake stimulus package right now doesn’t exist.”
In case you don’t know what the Drake stimulus package is, it was the long-running belief that throwing Drake on someone’s album or single would result in an extra boost in the performance.
“I think, you know, no pun intended, Drake’s wings slightly feel clipped,” said Akademiks. “The Drake stimulus package right now doesn’t exist. So Drake going on Camilla Cabello’s track didn’t do nothing. That’s a fact.”
As evidence of his belief, Drake’s appearance on “Hot Uptown” only made it to No. 149 in its first week. You can hear it from Akademiks below.
“The Drake stimulus package right now doesn’t exist”
