Drake is back with another highly anticipated project, and this time, he's mixing romance with rap beef in his latest album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, this 21-track collaboration with PartyNextDoor isn’t just about love songs—it also throws in some subtle (and not-so-subtle) responses to his ongoing lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar.
A New Era of Collaboration
This marks Drake’s first full collaborative album with PartyNextDoor, a fellow Toronto artist and longtime OVO Sound signee. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this duo to drop a joint project, and now that it’s here, the reception has been electric. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are already buzzing, with songs like "Nokia" and "Gimme a Hug" quickly becoming fan favorites.
Addressing the Kendrick Lamar Drama in “Gimme a Hug”
One of the most talked-about tracks on the album is Gimme a Hug, where Drake appears to subtly address his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar. The feud, which has been brewing since last year, reached its peak when Lamar dropped Not Like Us, a diss track that not only dominated the charts but also earned him multiple Grammy wins, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Drake wastes no time in Gimme a Hug, kicking off the track by calling out what he describes as “Drake elimination, fake intimidation.” He brushes off the idea that his opponents can take him down, rapping, “Using you for promotion, truer words have never been spoken.”
But he doesn’t stop there. Later in the song, he minimizes the impact of diss tracks against him, possibly referring to Lamar when he raps, “They be droppin’ (expletive), but we be droppin’ harder (expletive)/ (Expletive) a rap beef, I’m tryna get the party lit.”
Shouting Out His Support System
Beyond the rap beef, Gimme a Hug also sees Drake showing love to those who have stood by him. One notable shoutout goes to 21 Savage, his Her Loss collaborator. “Savage, you the only … checkin’ on me when we really in some (expletive), brother,” he raps, emphasizing the bond they share.
Drake also takes a moment to acknowledge his fans: “I appreciate the fans rocking with me/ This is really just a small token.” He refers to himself as “a visionary,” doubling down on his legacy and ability to stay relevant despite the noise around him.
Legal Battles and Allegations
Drake doesn’t just address his critics in his lyrics—he’s also taking them to court. The rapper has been embroiled in a legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), the distributor of both his and Kendrick Lamar’s music. In January, Drake sued UMG, accusing the company of profiting from his defamation by releasing Not Like Us. His lawsuit claims that UMG intentionally turned him into a target for harassment and violence while financially benefiting from Lamar’s track.
One of the most serious allegations in his lawsuit is an incident in which a “group of men” allegedly fired shots at his Toronto home, injuring a security guard. Drake appears to reference this in Gimme a Hug with the line: “Bulletproof doors so heavy, got me rollin’ ‘round like a dignitary.”
He goes on to claim that his enemies are “waiting on the boy’s obituary,” but instead of letting it bring him down, he uses it as a flex: “Have the girls up at 29 on stage twerking with a dictionary?”
And in classic Drake fashion, he makes sure to remind everyone how well he’s doing, despite the chaos: “Right now, I got so many villas booked on like I’m billing to ‘em,” followed by, “Really out here, filling up the itinerary ’til I’m six feet in a cemetery.”
Touring While the Beef Heats Up
As if all this wasn’t enough, Drake is currently touring Australia and New Zealand on his Anita Max Win Tour. Interestingly, while he was down under, Kendrick Lamar performed Not Like Us during his Super Bowl halftime show medley, keeping the rivalry fresh in fans’ minds.
Name-Dropping and Pop Culture References
Drake has always been known for dropping references to pop culture icons, and this album is no different. Lasers includes a nod to Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, while Small Town Fame name-drops Charli XCX and Tate McRae. Fans were also excited to hear Ice Spice’s voice on Glorious, which samples one of her tracks.
Other notable mentions include wrestling legend Hulk Hogan in Gimme a Hug, along with Lil Durk and Melyssa Ford. Ford, who co-hosts a podcast with Joe Budden, appears to be the target of a subtle jab from Drake, continuing his longstanding tension with Budden.
A Surprising Label Connection
Despite his legal battle with Universal Music Group, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U was released under Republic Records, a subsidiary of UMG. This raises eyebrows, considering Drake’s ongoing lawsuit against the company, in which he accused them of deceptive business practices and promoting defamatory claims against him. The case alleges that Not Like Us spreads false claims, including accusations of illegal activity, which Drake vehemently denies.
Full Tracklist for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
For those looking to dive into the full album, here’s the complete tracklist:
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CN Tower
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Moth Balls
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Something About You
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Crying in Chanel
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Spider-Man Superman
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Deeper
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Small Town Fame
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Pimmie’s Dilemma
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Brian Steele
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Gimme A Hug
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Raining in Houston
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Lasers
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Meet Your Padre
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Nokia
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Die Trying
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Somebody Loves Me
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Celibacy
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OMW
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Glorious
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When He’s Gone
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Greedy
The Verdict
Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U isn’t just a Valentine’s Day gift for fans—it’s a statement. Between the sleek production, PartyNextDoor’s smooth collaborations, and the undeniable references to his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, this album keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.
Whether you’re here for the drama, the music, or a little bit of both, one thing is clear: Drake isn’t backing down anytime soon. And as history has shown, when Drake speaks, the industry listens.
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