Drake has recently announced his European tour dates & it got me reminiscing on his incredible discography. Here are my personal favourite top 10 Drake songs (in no particular order) released before 2013. I will be releasing a list for more favourites further down the years. A big shout out to some people that gave me their suggestions, it’s easy to forget some of the great songs Drake has released when there’s such a big library.
- Drake – Closer/ Closer To My Dreams (Comeback Season Mixtape) – 2007
This is one of his earliest tracks and boy isit good! The feature from Andrea is beautiful too. For me my favourite thing about this song is the rawness you get. There are no gimmicks on this song, just a lyrically great song. Drake before he became Drake.
2. Drake – Over My Dead Body (Take Care Album) – 2011
The first verse on this song is personally one of my favourite Drake verses. I’ve mentioned my love for this song before but everything about this song to me is spot on. The beat behind the track, Drake’s flow, the background vocals…everything! Despite the background vocals and amazing simple beat, there is a stripped back feel to this song. This is the kind of song you just close your eyes and feel.
3. Drake – Best I Ever Had – (So Far Gone) – 2009
This is a classic Drake song and one of his biggest hits. The reason I personally love this song is because it demonstrates his vocal range. Drake hits the high notes and lowest of notes in the same line. This song feels like Drake verses Drake. Throughout the song it genuinely feels like you hear every version of Drake and to me that proves his versatility.
4. Drake – The Real Her Ft. Andre 3000 (Take Care Album) – 2011
Even though Andre 3000 has possibly one of the best feature verses of all time…the song wouldn’t be what it was without Drake.
5. Drake – Shut It Down Ft. The Dream
Singing Drake will always be a pleasure to listen to. Drake has the ability to have different sounds depending on your mood. This song is best when you’re relaxing or chilling. Drake & The Dream’s voices blend so beautifully on this track too. “I feel like when she moves, the time doesn’t” is one of my favourite lines in the song.
6. Drake – Shot For Me (Take Care Album) – 2011
“I can see it in your eyes, you’re angry”…those lines are legendary. Another song from my favourite Drake album. The outro for this song is one of the best. “May your neighbours respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you & heaven accept you”. The instruments used in this are perfect for the mood especially as it leads into Headlines…..
7. Drake – Headlines (Take Care Album) – 2011
Pure rap. This song is just filled with bars. A hit every-time you listen. One of my favourite lines is “I guess it really is just me, myself and all my millions”, simply because it shows a different side of a Drake, a more confident side. Drake is known for being sensitive and making songs for women stereotypically. This song reminded everyone that he can do both; slow and sensual songs but also rap hits filled with bars.
8. Drake – The Motto – (Take Care Album) – 2011
I picked this song mostly for the impact it had. This song had everyone learning the lyrics word for word. His line “25 sitting on 25 mill” were iconic at the time as well as the term “YOLO” (you only live once). Listening to this song you can hear the growth in Drake over the years. His confidence has grown and it provided his raps with a different perspective.
9. Drake – Replacement Girl Ft. Trey Songz – (Comeback Season Mixtape) – 2007
For this song, Drake was the first unsigned Canadian rapper to have a video premiered on BET. This song despite being released over 10 years ago and from his second mixtape, is still a hit. Drake’s little freestyle he drops towards the end of the song is my favourite verse.
10. Drake – Uptown (So Far Gone Album) – 2009
I hear a lot of this song in Drake’s later song from his “We’ll be Fine” on his “Take Care” album. I like the slow pace in this song. Drake has the ability to slow a song down without ruining the flow. There is a line that sticks out for me which is “And when they call you the answer, you are hardly questioned”. The idea that no one is really questioning Drake because he is “the answer” to what is missing. This is so fitting because honestly I don’t think we have a better artist in terms of consistency and versatility about. I like the feature from Bun B & Lil Wayne too.