It’s been roughly seven years since Drake released Views, an album that remained divisive upon its release yet foreshadowed his unparalleled commercial success. Coming off of a heated battle with Meek Mill that revealed the use of ghostwriters, Drake embarked on a mission to become the biggest artist of all time. Though his aspirations to become the biggest rapper came as a result, he took a leap of faith when he began the rollout. On April 5th, 2016, he released the two-piece EP consisting of “Pop Style” ft. The Throne and “One Dance.”
The former doesn’t necessarily rank high in Drake’s catalog. Jay-Z’s contributions were kept to four bars while Yeezy slid through with some extravagant flexes for her verse. However, “One Dance” became an unexpected success that undoubtedly defined Drake’s career. “One Dance” ushered in Drake’s formal takeover with assistance from Kyla and WizKid. With records like “Hotline Bling,” Drizzy showcased his versatility and his range within R&B. However, “One Dance” took him to global acclaim beyond the meme-inspiring single.
Drake’s “One Dance” Turns 7
Drake’s fusion of R&B with tones of dancehall and afrobeats undoubtedly shaped the sound of pop music moving forward. The mesmerizing production and the sample of Kyla’s “Do You Mind (Crazy Cousinz remix)” pair perfectly with Drizzy’s smooth melodic performance and the accents of WizKid’s production. It's hard not to acknowledge how plenty of the pop records that came after followed a similar blueprint. At this point, “One Dance” stands as an iconic anthem that, these days, feels like a blast of nostalgia. Last year, UK rapper Ardee sampled the song for “Hello Mate”
Beyond the anniversary of Drizzy’s classic #1 smash, the rapper is currently gearing up to hit the road for the It’s All A Blur tour. This summer, Drake and 21 Savage will be hitting the road across America and Canada for a co-headlining venture in support of Her Loss. Most recently, the rapper appeared at Dreamville Fest in Raleigh, NC for a joint set with J. Cole and brought out guests like Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, and of course, 21 Savage. Revisit Drake’s “One Dance” above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics
Strength and guidance
All that I'm wishin' for my friends
Nobody makes it from my ends
I had to bust up the silence
About The Author
Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.
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