Drake, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor who has had a highly successful career in the music industry. Like many celebrities, he has faced his fair share of controversies over the years. Here are some of the notable controversies associated with Drake:
1. Ghostwriting Allegations (2015): In July 2015, Meek Mill took to Twitter to make public accusations against Drake, claiming that Drake did not write his own lyrics and used ghostwriters for some of his songs. Meek Mill tweeted:
“Stop comparing Drake to me too…. He don’t write his own raps! That’s why he ain’t tweet my album because we found out!”
This tweet immediately sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans, fellow artists, and the music industry as a whole weighing in on the controversy. Many fans were shocked by the allegations, as Drake had built a reputation as one of the top lyricists in hip-hop.
In response, Drake initially remained relatively silent but eventually released two diss tracks, “Charged Up” and “Back to Back,” in which he addressed the allegations and mocked Meek Mill for his claims. “Back to Back” in particular received widespread acclaim and further fueled the feud.
The feud between Drake and Meek Mill continued to escalate, with both artists trading diss tracks and insults. It became one of the most talked-about and highly publicized feuds in the history of hip-hop, with fans and the media closely following every development.
2. Feuds with Other Artists: Drake has been involved in several public disputes and feuds with other artists throughout his career. These conflicts have often played out in the public eye, through social media posts, interviews, and diss tracks. Here’s a brief overview of some of the notable feuds Drake has been involved in:
Kanye West: The feud between Drake and Kanye West has been one of the most high-profile and long-running conflicts in the music industry. It stems from various issues, including allegations that Kanye leaked information about Drake’s music and release schedule. They appeared to have a rivalry, with Drake referencing Kanye in songs like “Behind Barz” and “No Stylist. Social media posts and subtweets from both Drake and Kanye added fuel to the fire, and fans eagerly followed every development in this feud.
Pusha T: Pusha T and Drake’s feud escalated after the release of “The Story of Adidon.” Pusha T’s track exposed personal information about Drake and his alleged child, Adonis. Drake responded with his own diss track, “Duppy Freestyle,” in which he took aim at Pusha T and Kanye West. Pusha T then fired back with “The Story of Adidon,” which included personal attacks on Drake, his family, and his background.
Tyga: Drake and Tyga had a feud in the past, largely centered around their relationships with Kylie Jenner. Tyga was dating Kylie Jenner, who is the half-sister of Kim Kardashian (Kanye West’s wife). Drake and Tyga exchanged subliminal disses in songs and on social media. Drake’s track “6PM in New York” contained lyrics that seemed to target Tyga. Tyga responded with his own diss track, “Make It Work.”
Chris Brown: Drake and Chris Brown had a feud that dated back to 2012 when they were involved in a nightclub brawl in New York City. The altercation allegedly started over their mutual romantic involvement with Rihanna. While the physical altercation was resolved, tension remained between them for several years. However, in 2019, Drake and Chris Brown reconciled and collaborated on the hit song “No Guidance,” effectively ending their feud.
3. Relationships with younger women: There were controversies and criticisms surrounding the Canadian rapper and musician Drake regarding his friendships and interactions with younger women in the entertainment industry. One notable example is Drake’s friendship with actress Millie Bobby Brown. They became friends when Millie was a teenager, and their close relationship raised eyebrows in the media. Many people questioned the appropriateness of a grown man, especially a famous one like Drake, having such a close friendship with a minor. Both Drake and Millie defended their friendship as being purely platonic and rooted in mentorship and advice.
There were also allegations and rumors suggesting that Drake had been in contact with and pursued younger women in the entertainment industry, such as Billie Eilish and Hailey Baldwin, when they were underage. These allegations were met with criticism and concern from fans and the public, as there were questions about the nature of these interactions and whether they were appropriate.
4. Blackface photo: In May 2018, a photo of the Canadian rapper and musician Drake surfaced, showing him wearing blackface makeup. The image was originally posted on the Instagram account of Pusha T, another rapper, as part of a beef between the two artists. The photo quickly went viral and sparked controversy, with many people accusing Drake of cultural insensitivity and inappropriateness.
The photo in question was taken during a 2007 photoshoot for a Canadian clothing brand called Too Black Guys. In the image, Drake is seen wearing blackface makeup, a Jim Crow t-shirt, and a hoodie. The use of blackface makeup, which has a long history of being associated with racist minstrel shows that perpetuated harmful stereotypes of Black people, was deeply offensive to many.
In response to the controversy, Drake issued a statement explaining the context behind the photo. He claimed that the photoshoot was intended to highlight the struggles faced by Black actors in the entertainment industry. According to Drake, he and his friend, the founder of Too Black Guys, were trying to address issues of racial discrimination and typecasting in the world of acting. The clothing brand, Too Black Guys, had a history of addressing issues of racial inequality and social justice through its designs. However, despite Drake’s explanation, many people still found the use of blackface makeup troubling and felt that it was inappropriate, regardless of the intended message.
5. Strip club controversies: Drake is known for his frequent visits to strip clubs and has made it a theme in some of his songs. While this may not be a controversy in itself, it has raised questions about the objectification of women in his lyrics and the glorification of strip club culture. Here are a couple of examples from his songs that illustrate this:
“In My Feelings” (2018): In the song “In My Feelings,” Drake includes the following lines:
“Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding? Say you’ll never ever leave from beside me ‘Cause I want ya, and I need ya And I’m down for you always”
While these lyrics on their own might not seem overtly problematic, they are part of a song where Drake repeatedly refers to a woman (presumably Kiki) and her loyalty or availability to him. This kind of language can be seen as objectifying, reducing a person to their willingness to be with the artist.
“Make Me Proud” (2011): In this song, Drake raps:
“I like a woman with a future and a past A little attitude problem all good, it’ll make sh*t last Don’t make it too easy, girl, don’t take it too fast Yeah, that’s it, right there, that’s it”
These lyrics suggest that Drake values women who are not too easy or readily available, which can be interpreted as promoting the idea that women should play hard to get or adhere to certain standards to please men.
It’s important to note that Drake’s music, like many other artists in the hip-hop and rap genres, often contains complex and contradictory themes. While he has been criticized for objectifying women in some songs, he has also created music that addresses relationships, personal growth, and social issues.
