Drake has undoubtedly had one of the most successful years for a rap artist in recent memory. From a surprise album release in If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late going platinum, to singlehandedly destroying what remains of Meek Mill, and a joint mixtape with Future rounding things out nicely.
The success spans back to 2014, when Toronto’s finest rapper jumped on remixes of Migos’ Versace, and ILoveMakonnen’s Tuesday. An Instagram video has recently surfaced with Drake dancing along to Kodak Black’s SKRT, subsequently introducing an all new audience to the up and coming artist.
While it may seem that Drake is doing wonders for the exposure of a young rapper, Earl Sweatshirt, he’s seen enough. The young phenom took to Twitter this week, accusing Drake of simply riding the wave of whichever track or rapper is the hottest, jumping on a remix, then bouncing, while reaping all the benefits of staying atop the charts.
drake found kodak black? smh welp
— EARL (@earlxsweat) October 25, 2015
@AwfulSam naw bro. no hipster nothing. drake can be a bit of a vulture on young rap niggas and i don’t want lil kodak to be a victim of it
— EARL (@earlxsweat) October 25, 2015
@TeesanKomo I feel u but I still feel like drake overall statement isn’t “check out this new shit I heard” it’s always self serving
— EARL (@earlxsweat) October 25, 2015
@TeesanKomo I guess u rite. it’s not his job to develop them as artists. but the line between paying homage and wave riding is a blurry one
— EARL (@earlxsweat) October 25, 2015
It’s quite a valid point, although Drake does seem to look after these artists once the wave of a hit single had subsided, having signed Makonnen to the OvO label, and helping to establish the career of pop sensation The Weeknd.
You have to ask yourself though, when you hear any of the aforementioned hit singles, does your association both start and end with Drake? Chances are the answer is yes. He is certainly the master of staying relevant, and is quite comfortable being the butt of the internet’s jokes.
One would think that Drake is not going to stop riding any wave or surge in popularity; 2015 is the year of the 6 God.