Because it goes against the grain of everything that is traditional,” Drake said.Ī few weeks later following the impressive first week sales of Take Care, Hov congratulated Drake in a handwritten note that he shared on his October’s Very Own blog. I just felt like they had an option to give me a Grammy for a mixtape, and they just didn’t do it. “The one that really got to me was when I lost to “D.O.A.” for “Best I Ever Had.” That one to me was, like, really? Not to say that Jay-Z isn’t the most incredible rapper and that “D.O.A.” wasn’t a good song. In an interview with Billboard, Drake mentioned his displeasure with Hov beating him for best rap solo performance at the 2009 Grammys. November 2011: Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” Loses to “D.O.A” at ‘09 Grammys, JAY-Z Congratulates Drake’s Success With Take Care. “Please pardon my brother, he’s just angry at you n-as/ Who don’t have your heart in your rap shit and got too fucking comfy,” Drake rapped. Jay fired back a year later on the Watch the Throne lead single “H.A.M,” rapping, “I’m like, ‘Really? Half a billi n-a, really?’ You got Baby money/ Keep it real with n-as, n-as ain’t got my lady’s money.” Wayne clapped back viciously on Tha Carter IV cut “It’s Good,” threatening to kidnap Jay’s woman for ransom.Īt the time, people felt Jay and Kanye had grown lazy with the disappointing “H.A.M,” so Drake, who rarely misses an opportunity to call out his elders’ laziness, defended the Young Money captain by taking a subliminal shot of his own. Back in 2009, Birdman stated Weezy was better than Jay, due to Wayne having more money than him. Hov has had numerous on-again, off-again relationships with fellow rappers, and his ties with Lil Wayne is no different. The closing lines on Drizzy’s verse had people think he was dissing Jay and Kanye, when Drake spit, “I’m just feeling like the throne is for the taking/ Watch me take it.” Drake quickly denied on Twitter any shots being thrown, and Jay acknowledged no offense was taken but it was clear the first punch was thrown.Īugust 2011: Drake Defends Lil Wayne on “It’s Good” His guest feature on DJ Khaled’s “I’m on One” would be one of the best of the year, as Drizzy rapped about his work ethic and ascent to the top of the rap mountain. Jay and Kanye were in the process of releasing their highly anticipated album Watch the Throne, while Drake was quickly becoming the most popular rapper in the game with his ferocious guest features (“In the Morning,” “She Will”) and a slew of loosies (“Club Paradise,” “Trust Issues,” “Dreams Money Can Buy”). May 2011: Drake Takes Aim at the Throne With “I’m on One”Ģ011 was an important year for both Drizzy and Hov. It was a promising moment between the two.
As Drake described aspirations and his ascent to the top in his lyrics, Hov gave the 6 God a word of advice on what it would be like to make that climb. Drake got the chance to flex his lyrical muscle against Jay’s wordplay wizardry and the result delighted fans. June 2010: Drake Calls on JAY-Z for “Light Up”Īfter the lukewarm “Off That,” fans got a proper JAY-Z and Drake collab when they linked up on “Light Up” off Drake’s debut album Thank Me Later. Despite the tepid reception, Hov’s coveted co-sign was just the start to the long history between the two. Unfortunately, the collaboration wasn’t favored, as people wanted more than just a Drake hook on a JAY-Z collab. Drake was one of the hottest burgeoning MCs at the time and in true JAY-Z fashion, he gave the rising star a platform. The relationship between Drake and Jay got off to a good start when Jay tapped the Toronto MC for a guest feature on the hook to The Blueprint 3’s “Off That” - just six months after Drake’s breakthrough mixtape So Far Gone. September 2009: JAY-Z Taps Drake for Blueprint 3’s “Off That” It’s difficult to discern if their relationship is hostile or pleasant at times.Īs we continue to gawk at the soon-to-be legendary photo, here’s a timeline of JAY-Z and Drake’s roller-coaster relationship. For the last nine years, Hov and Drizzy have shared numerous jabs on wax and delivered various compliments to each other while also showing a mutual respect on several different occasions. What started as a growing relationship on Jay’s “Off That” and Drake’s “Light Up” turned into an on-again, off-again battle of words. The two will forever be linked thanks to the similar paths both men have taken in their careers. The relationship between JAY-Z and Drake has been one of the most unpredictable and perplexing rap bonds in recent memory.