Drake Samples and Bites
Drake has earned a storied reputation for biting other rappers' sounds. Here's a list of samples ranging from popular artists to those still under the radar.
"Right Now" – Uncle Murda (feat. Future)
One of hip hop's most popular producer labels is a sample from 2015 song "Right Now."
Future raps in the pre-chorus:
"If Murda don't trust you, he gon' shoot you
Lil' Mexico don't trust you, we gon' shoot you
Young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon' shoot you
If Brooklyn don't trust you, they gon' shoot you"
A lot of rappers have staked a claim at the legacy of Drake's 2015 single "Hotline Bling", which went viral with the release of its music video in October of that year.
Fans were quick to point out the similarities between the July track and DRAM's March release of "Cha Cha", but the iconic marimba beat had even earlier origins in Timmy Thomas' R&B/soul track, "Why Can't We Live Together?"
Used in the beat throughout the song "Nice for What"
"Care for me, care for me,
I know you care for me
There for me, there for me,
said you'd be there for me
Cry for me, cry for me,
you said you'd die for me
Give to me, give to me
Why won't you live for me?"
The first line of the song
"everybody getcha motherfuckin' roll on," is also picked from the chorus of the Big Tymers track off the album
I Got That Work.
Playa Fly was a key member of rap group Three 6 Mafia until 1995.
The song's hook,
"Just awaken shaken once again so you know it's on" is sampled in the intro to Drake's smash single "Jimmy Eats" (feat. 21 Savage).
Drake pays homage to one of the greats in his 2020 song "Chicago Freestyle" with a familiar Marshall Mathers pre-chorus:
"But I do know one thing though,
bitches they come they go.
Saturday through Sunday, Monday,
Monday through Sunday, yo
Maybe I'll love you one day
Maybe we'll someday grow
til then just sit your drunk ass on that fucking runway, hoe."
Drake samples almost the entire hook, changing the last line:
"...til then I'll sit my drunk ass on this runway on this one-way."
"Playaz Club" – Rappin' 4 Tay
While there's no official backing to suggest "Cha Cha" was plagiarized, Drake (or his writers) haven't always maintained the squeakiest of reputations for original rhymes.
Take for example his feature on YG's song "Who Do You Love":
"I got a shorty named Texas Syn
She got a buddy named Young JB and now you know the deal
We turnt up in the studio late night
That's why the songs that you hear are comin' real tight"
This verse is directly lifted from Rappin' 4 Tay's song "Playaz Club," which goes:
"I got a hoe named Reel to Reel
She got a buddy named SP 12, now, you know the deal
We gets freaky in the studio late night
That's why the beats that you hear are comin' real tight"
No credit was initially given, and Rappin' 4 Tay eventually received a $100,000 settlement for the use of his lyrics.
"Look at Me!" – XXXTENTACION
In perhaps one of the more prominent rap beefs of this decade, late rapper XXXTENTACION claimed Drake bit his flow from his breakout single "Look at Me!" on his album 2017 album
More Life.
"I'm like 'Bitch, who is your mans?', (ayy)
Can't keep my dick in my pants, (ayy)
My bitch don't love me no more, (ayy)
She kick me out I'm like 'Vro', (ayy)"
With the words changed, Drake's song "KMT" follows an identical rhythm:
"Demon just got out the can (yeah)
I gave my bro an advance (yeah)
Love is just not in my plans
Not even takin' a chance"
Though the controversy went viral, XXXTENTACION never recieved credit.
"Blow the Whistle" – Too $hort
"I go on and on,
Can't understand how I last so long.
I must have super powers,
Rap 225,000 hours..."
Drake's verse on DJ Khaled's 2016 single "For Free" samples these four bars in the intro, changing only "225" with "223".
