Collaboration in the World of Rap Music
There was a time when rappers, especially those who claimed to be the best in the world, were expected to write their own lyrics. However, as rap music has evolved and become more closely associated with pop, the creative process has also changed. It is now common for rappers, producers, and singers to work together in a collaborative process. One artist who has exemplified this change is Drake, who has been one of the most dominant rap artists of the decade.
Since 2011, when rumors began circulating about The Weeknd’s contributions to Drake’s album “Take Care,” it has been widely acknowledged that Drake uses collaborators to help with his songs and verses. The revelation that Drake may not write all his own lyrics came to light when Meek Mill took to Twitter on July 22, 2015, accusing Drake of using ghostwriters. It was later revealed that Atlanta rapper Quentin Miller had allegedly written some of Drake’s verses on Meek Mill’s single, “R.I.C.O.”
Following Meek Mill’s accusations, more alleged reference tracks of Drake’s songs surfaced, casting doubt on Drake’s hip-hop legitimacy, especially among purists. The leak of reference tracks raised questions about how much of Drake’s lyrics are truly his own.
In response to the recent leaks, which have continued throughout the year, we have compiled a history of all the alleged leaked reference tracks related to Drake. These revelations have sparked a debate among fans about whether they can trust Drake’s penmanship at all. Collaborative songwriting is not uncommon in the music industry, but for many fans, the authenticity of an artist’s lyrics remains an important marker of their talent and credibility.