Drake landed at #1 in the U.S. with “One Dance”

One Dance Drake with Wizkid & Kyla

Writer(s): Aubrey Graham/ Paul Jefferies/ Noah Shebib/ Ayodeji Balogun/ Errol Reid/ Luke Reid/ Kyla Smith/ Corey Johnson (see lyrics here) Released: April 5, 2016 First Charted: April 23, 2016 Peak: 110 US, 11 RR, 20 A40, 118 RB, 115 UK, 17 CN, 17 AU, 22 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 10.0 US, 2.4 UK, 13.62 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 360.64 video, 3069.25 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Grime pioneer Logan Sama supposedly played Drake’s team the 2008 song “Do U Mind” by Kyla. WK Drake and company reached out to her record company to tell her they wanted to sample the song. Kyla initially thought it was an April Fool’s joke – until she signed legal documents. CX The song ended up serving as the bridge for “One Dance,” which also featured Nigerian Afrobeat artist Wizkid as a writer and co-producer. WK Kyla didn’t get to listen to the final version – which was recorded in just a week’s time – because Drake rushed the song out for fear of it getting leaked, as had happened with his song “Controlla” in March. WK Unsure how it would go over, Drake’s team released the song simultaneously with “Pop Style,” a more convential rap record which featured Kanye West and Jay-Z. They didn’t need to worry – “One Dance” landed at #1 in 15 countries, marking Drake’s first time to the summit as a lead artist. He’d previously guested on “What’s My Name?” CX and “Work,” both #1 songs for Rihanna. WK In the U.S., it became one of only 32 songs to top the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks or more. It became the second-longest consecutive #1 in the UK with 15 weeks at the pinnacle. WK It became the most streamed song in the history of Spotify with over a billion streams WK and was the biggest-seller in the world in 2016. WK Interestingly, the song’s lack of an official video aided the song’s success on the charts in countries which didn’t tally YouTube streams. A scene from the short film Please Forgive Me, however, featured the song and ended up serving as a video for the song. WK Pitchfork described the song as “a throbbing, wine-worthy tropical thumper…about the spiritual connection two people can have in a club.” WK The New York Times’ Jon Caramanica called it “one of Drake’s breeziest and most accessible songs, and also one of his savviest.” WK Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield said it was “a utopian fusion of global styles.” WK Resources: CX CapitalXtra.com (8/18/2016). “11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Drake’s ‘One Dance’” WK Wikipedia Related Links: Last updated 3/11/2024.

Drake charted with “Hotline Bling”

Hotline Bling Drake

Writer(s): Aubrey Graham, Paul Jefferies, Timmy Thomas (see lyrics here) Released: July 31, 2015 First Charted: August 22, 2015 Peak: 2 US, 12 DG, 2 RR, 111 RB, 3 UK, 3 CN, 2 AU (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 10.0 US, 1.2 UK, 11.42world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 2002.04 video, 1309.27 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Hotline Bling” could be called the lead single from Canadian rapper Drake’s fourth album, Views. However, the single came out in August 2015 and the Views album wasn’t released until nearly nine months later in April 2016, which really makes “Hotline Bling” more of a stand-alone single. The song was Drake’s eighth trip to the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart as a lead artist, equalling the #2 peak of “Best I Ever Had.” He’d also gone top 10 as a guest artist six times, including the #1 “What’s My Name?” with Rihanna in 2010. Critics praised it for its production and the revelation of a more emotional side for Drake. WK Pitchfork’s Jason Greene called it a “halting, aching song” WK and NPR’s Brad Wete called it a “remarkably catchy” song that “twinkles with bright organ riffs and boasts a bass line fit to thump in clubs.” WK Billboard noted that the song “finds Drake giving rap a hard pass and singing his heart out.” WK Lyrically, however, the song met with some criticism. Drake remembers late night booty calls from his former lover. He is jealous that his cell phone is now silent and that she may be with someone else. SF The Frisky’s Carol H. Hood described it as “an incredibly salty and self-centered rant” WK and Bullett’s Allyson Shiffman had issue with the “super sexist lyrics.” WK Fusion TV’s Tahirah Hairston said Drake pettily “opts to condescendingly slut-shaming” his ex for moving on. WK Rap-Up magazine said the video “shows just how suave [Drake] can be with his moves,” WK but the video was also mocked for what was seen as Drake’s awkward dancing. SF The director, Director-X, said he hoped the video would be an inspiration for men to dance more. WK “Hotline Bling” was nominated for Grammys for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance. It won the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song. It also won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video. Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/14/2021; last updated 4/1/2024.