Drake is one of the biggest rappers on earth. Behind him are some of the most influential producers in modern music. Below, we discuss Drake and those behind his work.
Drake seems to be hitting the headlines for more than just his music these days. AI diss tracks, feuds with Kendrick Lamar, and his huge gambling bankroll have all overshadowed his creative body. Yet, with his album “Certified Lover Boy” containing a sizable 48 producers, who are the people behind his success? In the article below, we dive into Drake and the top minds producing his tracks.
T-Minus
Detractors of Drake, particularly those with whom he often shares online spats, such as Kendrick Lamar, may say that Drake has taken his eye off the ball. He has recently switched his operations to gambling as opposed to making music. He is known to be a huge sports bettor and has an interest in online casinos.
This industry has become huge in recent years, with many operators struggling to keep abreast of the competition. Part of their tactics has been to supply bonus codes to encourage new players, offering discounts on sign-ups. One review site, Bonus Finder, can tell you more at their post. However, another tactic has been for these sites to hire celebrities. Drake has been involved with sports betting companies linked to NFL advertising, along with live streaming of gambling games in sponsorship from casino companies.
To get back to his roots, working with T-Minus would be a great place to start. T-Minus actually got his first big break-making beats for Drake. Originally, he was on a very different path, moving into accounting before changing direction to concentrate on music. The beat for Replacement Girl, released in 2007, was one of his. This kicked open the door, and he was soon in contact with Ludacris, who released his track How Low. This resulted in a multi-platinum seller, and his career was off to a flying start.
Warner Chappell soon approached him for a publishing deal, and since then the list of artists he has worked with has been astronomical. It includes The Weeknd, Camilla Cabello, Lana Del Rey, Sia, and others. His work with Kendrick Lamaar saw him nominated for an album of the year, and he has had eight Grammy nominations for albums and singles.
Part of this has been down to his progressive approach to production. It harks back to the past but also continually strives to be fresh. He has explained that he tries to take music as far as it can go but also says he takes inspiration from the emotion of mid-nineties R&B.
Noah “40” Shebib
If anyone could sum up Drake’s sound, it would be Noah “40” Shebib. Another Canadian producer, he has a distinctive downtempo, minimalist style that has become a hallmark. Also hailing from Toronto, he has been part of Drake’s work since 2008.
Originally an actor, he then shifted to DJ work and eventually production. His work with Drake began as an audio and mixing engineer. Just three days into production, they got on so well they decided they were going to take over the world together.
He has had a few other outings, notably with Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Young Money Entertainment. However, being the defining factor, Drake’s sound may also come with drawbacks. This can often make a production team become formulaic. His most recent three-track release, Scary Hours 2, seemed to be given that reception from the media, with some describing it as autopilot. While this relationship has been fruitful, it may be that the producers and Drake could learn more going their separate ways.
Boi-1da
Boi-1da is the moniker of Matthew Jehu Samuels. He has also been with Drake from the start, beginning with humble roots working from his basement, then moving to become an in-house producer for Drake’s OVO Sound label. He has been part of Drake’s biggest hits, including “God’s Plan.” He has also worked on tracks for Nas, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem.
Those in the inner circle believe this is where a lot of the change comes from Drake’s recordings. He is well known for his plethora of styles, often adapting them from track to track, artist to artist. He is on record as saying the creative process with Drake is easy and that they like a less-is-more approach. This explains many of the stripped-back arrangements for the tracks, particularly on If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late, for which he was credited as executive producer.
There are two arguments for this method of production. One is a two-head better than one outlook. The second is a too many cooks scenario. In some ways, having this many producers brings in fresh ideas and keeps the body of work alive, allowing it a high level of quality control. Yet in other ways, with so many people having input, it can dilute the pure vision of the artist. With Drake’s OVO label in place, it seems like he will not be having any major departures from his sound soon.