Words by Rosalind Thacker
As Drake is crowned Artist of the Decade at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, we pick out the Canadian superstar’s top 30 tracks – from “Best I Ever Had” to “Hotline Bling”.
At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, Drake was awarded Artist of the Decade. Now, whether you like him or not, there’s definitely a case to be made that he’s one of modern music’s most successful and influential talents. With a complex, all-star legacy that’s constantly being etched with every new chart-topper, the Canadian rapper-cum-pop-star has managed to seduce his way into the hearts of a generation.
Whether it’s blasting out of the speakers at a party or comforting you through a heartbreak, Drake’s music is everywhere – and everyone has a favourite Drake song. In this list, we break down 30 of his best.
Starting from the bottom…
30. “Worst Behaviour” – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
This song was probably a turning point in Drake’s career. The moment where he went from being a sad boy with a broken heart to someone you don’t want to mess with. Beneath the super aggressive and boastful lyricism, “Worst Behaviour” tells a story of how much he was overlooked in the early stages of his career.
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29. “Back To Back” (Single) (2015)
Drake has had his fair share of beef with other rappers, but his beef with Meek Mill has to reign at the top. Even if you didn’t know “Back To Back was a diss track, it’s a great song. It was even nominated for a Grammy, which was probably just another nail in the coffin for Meek Mill.
28. “The Motto” feat. Lil Wayne – Take Care (2011)
Initially, this was a bonus track on Take Care. But, it ended up being one of the biggest songs on the album. When you listen to the entirety of Take Care, this track does stand out like a sore thumb, but in a good way. It was also when we began to see Drake’s burgeoning influence over popular culture. Remember when YOLO was a thing? You have Drake to thank for that.
27. “Get It Together” feat. Black Coffee and Jorja Smith – More Life (2017)
When you compare this song with his later, greater success, “One Dance”, the beats are pretty similar. This is just an example of how Drake can adapt a beat to make two very different tracks. Jorja Smith also makes this track worthwhile, with her soulful and smooth harmonisations.
26. “Up All Night” feat. Nicki Minaj – Thank Me Later (2010)
Not every Nicki and Drake collab will make it onto this list, but “Up All Night” is one of the better ones. Heavy percussion beat, catchy lyrics – you can’t really go wrong.
25. “Fear” – So Far Gone (EP) (2009)
This is one of Drakes better, forgotten songs. Even though the rapper’s life is probably so un-relatable to the average listener, songs like “Fear” are a great example of how Drake internalises his own domestic problems and makes them applicable to our everyday lives. Before I know it, I’m rapping along to a song about the struggles of becoming a world-famous rapper like it’s actually happening to me.
24. “Can I” feat. Beyoncé – Care Package (2019)
This would honestly be higher on the list, but the audacity of Drake to feature Beyoncé on a track and have her doing nothing more than say “Can I” and “Baby” over and over is just laughable. It’s definitely not lacking in Beyoncé, as her voice is as distinguishable as ever, but it’s a very bold move.
23. “Over” – Thank Me Later (2010)
I would say this song is as classic a ‘Drake’ track as you can get. Back when he was trying to make it big, Drake was producing elaborate, infectious music. “Over” is also where he first began dipping his toe into mainstream music, which worked out well for him as it reached number 14 on the Hot 100 chart.
22. “Come Thru” – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
Classic Drake. Pining over a girl, asking her to “come thru”, but in reality, she’s been seeing someone else the whole time. In attempt to win her back, he uses chat up lines such as “Baby I heat the stove, you do the dishes ya know?” – questionable, but it must do well for him, right? Aside from that, the song works. I love how the tempo switches up halfway through – it’s definitely one of my favourites from that album.
21. “Make Me Proud” feat. Nicki Minaj – Take Care (2011)
If you ever need a confidence boost, I’d recommend listening to this song. Hearing Drake say how proud he is of you over and over again makes you feel like you’ve got your own personal cheerleader. It’s also nice to hear a rap song that is actually crediting a woman for her brains, strength and independence. As far as hip-hop tracks go, it’s refreshing.
20. “Nonstop” – Scorpion (2018)
If it weren’t for this song getting its second wind on TikTok, it would probably be higher. But unfortunately, the social media trend just completely wrote it off for me. That said, I can still respect that “Nonstop” a good track.
19. “In My Feelings” – Scorpion (2018)
Again, this goes in the collection of Scorpion songs that we all became sick of by the end of 2018. Drake fell victim to his own genius with this album. However, as soon as I hear “Kiki, do you love me?” I’m reminded why this song still deserves some love.
18. “One Dance” feat. WizKid and Kyla – Views (2016)
It’s debatable whether this is really one of the best Drake songs, but it had to make it onto the list as one of the most successful. It might be overplayed now, but when it first came out in 2016 it was a huge hit for a reason.
17. “Teenage Fever” – More Life (2017)
There are two types of Drake fans in this world. Those who skip “Teenage Fever” and those who absolutely love it. Personally, I love it. It doesn’t help the case for this song that Drake blatantly ripped off Jenifer Lopez’s chorus on her 1999 single, “If You Had My Love”, though. Otherwise, it had potential.
16. “Look What You’ve Done” – Take Care (2011)
This song is the pinnacle of Drake’s lyricism. Paying tribute to his family, this is one of the artist’s most emotionally vulnerable songs. A word of advice: don’t listen to “Look What You’ve Done” if you are feeling particularly sensitive. The piano underscore accompanied by soulful vocal samples is enough to pull on anyone’s heartstrings. To top it off, the song fades out to the sound of a voicemail from his grandmother. It’s an emotional overload.
15. “God’s Plan” – Scorpion (2018)
Another iconic track from Scorpion. Like I said earlier, the majority of tracks from this album are seriously overplayed. However, I’m trying not to let that take away from how I felt the first time I heard “God’s Plan”. It’s easy to hate on a song because it’s a mainstream radio hit but, undeniably, Drake knows how to create a ‘moment’ in a track. If you’ve heard “God’s Plan”, you know exactly which moment I’m talking about.
14. “Lord Knows” feat. Rick Ross – Take Care (2011)
The gospel song “Lord, Lord” by Andrew Brown and the National Baptist Convention Choir is sampled throughout this track, and it’s genius. It’s also a significant turning point in Drake’s career. With lyrics like “I changed rap forever,” Drake finally knows who he has become on “Lord Knows”.
13. “Fake Love” – More Life (2017)
In a song about fake friends wanting to get close to him for his fame, it’s no ground that Drake hasn’t covered before. The production isn’t too trailblazing either, but perhaps that’s what works so well for the rapper. At this stage in his career, he didn’t need to do anything crazy and unpredictable to get people to listen. “Fake Love” is just Drake’s familiar sound that we know and love.
12. “HYFER” feat. Lil Wayne – Take Care (2011)
On “HYFER”, Drake and Lil Wayne deliver a simplistic yet effective hook on top of some double-time verbal gymnastics in the verses. They really do make a dream-team in this song. Also, the music video just makes it even more noteworthy. Drake throws himself a pretty wild bar mitzvah party, basically.
11. “Too Much” feat. Sampha – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
This song is beautiful. Not only is Sampha’s voice as soulful as ever, but once again, Drake’s lyricism and storytelling ability shines through. Here, he opens up about the anxieties and pressures that fame has placed on his life – especially his relationship with his family and loved ones. Sampha’s voice, though, is a vehicle to carry the lyrics and make this track truly memorable.
10. “Passionfruit” – More Life (2017)
Simple, low-key, but effective.
9. “Tuscan Leather” – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
Probably the greatest opening of any Drake song. “Tuscan Leather” is six-minutes of self-assured confidence over some genius beat changes. It’s a rollercoaster, and I wish it were longer than six minutes.
8. “Hotline Bling” – Views (2016)
“Hotline Bling” is one of Drake’s most successful singles to date – and for good reason. Five years later, and it’s still catchy as ever. We’ve seen many sides to Drake, but I don’t think we were ready to see the dance moves he pulled out for the music video. They came out of nowhere.
7. “Jumpman” feat. Future – What A Time To Be Alive (2015)
Another instant hit. This song became pretty unavoidable throughout the summer of 2015. A classic case of quotable lyrics, exceptional production and great chemistry between Future and Drake. So many of Drake’s collaborations feel like two different sounds forced together, but it’s evident from the entire collaborative album that the pair are a great match.
6. “Best I Ever Had” – So Far Gone (2009)
“Best I Ever Had” was Drake’s first big hit. It peaked at number two on the Billboard chart, his highest ranking until “One Dance” hit number one in 2016. Drake’s ability to transition from serenading a catchy hook into a rap verse never fails to impress – all whilst still being smug, vulnerable and charming with just the right amount of cheesiness. This was the starting point of Drake’s style that we know and love today.
5. “Hold On, We’re Going Home” – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
Drake definitely isn’t the most technically competent rapper out there, but he does have range. To produce a slow-jam R&B song, without rapping, demonstrates that he really can pull off a bit of everything.
4. “Started From The Bottom” – Nothing Was The Same (2013)
The age-old story of a young rapper overcoming masses of difficulties in order to take his place at the top. Of course, you could argue Drake didn’t start anywhere near the bottom. After all, he is a successful child-star rapping in the same league as artists who have risen from real poverty and hardships. However, “Started From The Bottom” is still a good song.
3. “Chicago Freestyle” feat. Giveon – Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020)
Drake cleverly weaves the bridge from Eminem’s “Superman” into this song. He delivers us the usual lyrics about his anxieties and relationship struggles, but simultaneously manages to gloat about his amassed fortune. Classic Drake. With the help of Giveon’s silky-smooth vocals, this song is something special.
2. “Nice For What” – Scorpion (2018)
Picture this: it’s the summer of 2018, one of the hottest on record. England have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. It’s been the best series of Love Island to date. You go to turn on the radio and “Nice For What” is playing. Life is good. Yes, it may not be a prime example of why Drake is the Artist of the Decade, but if “Nice For What” didn’t make it onto your Spotify Wrapped 2018, what were you listening to?
1. “Marvin’s Room” – Take Care (2011)
There was only one song that could beat “Nice For What” to the top spot, and that’s “Marvin’s Room”. This song is pouring with raw, open and honest emotion, making it the ultimate heartbreak anthem for men and women alike. It may not have the most extravagant beat or lyricism, but “Marvin’s Room” speaks to everyone who’s been through a tough breakup. We know and love Drake for being the most relatable – and also un-relatable – songwriter in the game, but “Marvin’s Room” makes you realise that perhaps you and Drizzy aren’t too different. We’ve all fallen victim to drunk calling our ex… right?
Check out Drake’s apparel collection, NOCTA, designed in collaboration with Nike.