He’s still popular, still relevant, still scoring hits, and rap, as it exists now, has been remade in his image, with at least three artists on the Billboard charts making their name out of repurposed bits of his style. But the minute you’ve peaked, rap music starts waiting impatiently for you to disappear.

Many rappers before Drake have faced this moment—T.I. in 2007, Kanye West in 2015—where, as far as their public is concerned, their hero’s story is concluded and they are free to cede the stage.

It’s a difficult corner to fight your way out of: There is no obvious adversary and you are still revered around the world. But all that lavish praise must begin to feel suspiciously like someone throwing your retirement party for you.

out @ kanye disrespect

JIK > anything drake released since '15

Op thought he had one typing out those big words

Take Care 2 coming soon.

I don't think he dissed Ye at all, it sounds like he's talking popularity

Eh I still believe he has another gear he can reach popularity wise

Thread backfired expeditiously

You don't even believe that

But OP’s second paragraph is really great

It really does feel like ppl see Drake’s story as over right now

did you really have scorpion or views on replay?

thats what they said like 6 plateaus ago

Maybe. It feels like every time he drops he finds a way to make his drakiest song yet, and then also put out a complete smash. Desires is, to me, the most potently drake-sounding song he’s put out, and I have no reason to believe he can’t do it again. Life is Good is huge too.

His last album had jaded and in my feelings, plus like 4 others that I think fit into one of these categories.

More life had ice melts, teenage fever, passion fruit.

Views had controlla, hotline bling, feel no ways.

If you’re reading this had energy, know yourself, legend.

Nwts had 0 to 100, worst behavior, going home

Take care had headlines, marvins room, good ones go.

And that’s minimizing things

I haven’t seen a consistent downward trend, even in the last 1-2 years. Maybe he’s plateaued, but personally i have no reason to believe he can’t push it a little further.

I remember seeing the same type of thread before Scorpion and despite the criticisms he scored three #1 hits which really could’ve been four with Nonstop. Strictly in terms of popularity I can’t foresee his next album not putting up ludicrous numbers per usual with a few smash hits sprinkled in.

This thread can be made every 6 months until it comes true.
Don’t hold your breath

where's that last sentence from

Didn't Queen's run at the top last like 20 years

granted, that's queen and we are talking about Drake. But never hark a speculative thread as something factual.

How you gonna start your thread off by stating all the reasons why your thread isn't true, but then try to flip it like those factors are irrelevant?

He can avoid plateauing if he develops a serious heroin habit before recording any more music. This would be the best possible career move for him.

He would produce a deranged, dark, d***ged out experimental album that would be praised. He’d give grizzly accounts of life and the situations he gets into while being a fiend, and hustling pills on the side to fuel his addiction as people begin to distance themselves from him. Soon it would come out about his addiction and the media would be buzzing. Scandal after scandal would arise and he’d be the most talked about person in the world as he continues down this dark path of addiction and insanity. Then, he would get arrested for possession and do a stint in jail, adding credibility to the hard image he’s been trying to adopt for sometime. The #FreeDrake movement would be like nothing we’ve ever seen before and it would spark an international conversation about how we treat addicts (rehabilitative vs punitive punishment.

Drake would get out, get clean, and become the face of the opiate epidemic sweeping North America, opening him up to even wider audiences and platforms. His first album after release would sell a million first week and be praised, as Drizzy explores a whole new realm of lyrical content reflecting on his past degenerate behavior and becomes a symbol of hope for millions dealing with addiction. This would be great for his image, solidify him as one of the greatest rappers ever, and create worldwide change that benefits millions for years to come.

The best possible thing drake could do for his career is to start doing as much dog food as possible, as soon as possible.

You all say this every. single. year.

Fire & Desire > JIK

T.i didn’t peak until 2008 tho

tbh I’m still more excited for drakes new album than anything else dropping this year at least for rap music