I've noticed Drake has done this a couple times over the years

TROPHIES

Was sent to Migos to add a chorus as Drake was having writers block. Eventually, Drake came up with a chorus and released it via SoundCloud before it was featured on the 2014 Young Money album. Migos released their version, billed as a "remix"

HYPE

Although originally released (non-commercially) as a "remix", seems more like an original version. Lil Wayne affiliate Term mentioned a Lil Wayne verse existing a day after Views dropped.

POP STYLE

Single version released prior to Views. Eventually Kanye's verse was replaced with a Drake verse prior to release

CONTROLLA

Leaked prior to Views with Popcaan. Eventually released with a new Drake verse replacing Popcaan's verses. The song would eventually be released non-commercially via OVOSoundRadio and performed by the two artists at OVOFEST 2019. Toronto entertainment/comedian group 4YALL ENT. said Popcaan vocals were removed because they were sent in the wrong format.

GOD'S PLAN

Originally sent to Trippie Redd for a feature which was eventually replaced with a new Drake verse. A snippet of a early draft of Trippie's verse was self leaked and he never finished the whole thing

TIME FLIES

The solo version was previewed by Drake on IG Live and eventually released on his 2020 mixtape. However, the song began as an alternate version of "Life Is Good" and featured Future. A snippet of this version was leaked.

The song was eventually reworked to feature Tory Lanez, but then Tory was removed for Drake's second verse. Tory would speak about the record on his interview with DJ Akademiks in 2021, and various DJ's throughout Toronto would play his version before it finally leaked in 2024

WHAT'S NEXT

Despite the song being released solo, the early version featured Playboi Carti and Baby Keem. Drake would eventually non-commercially release an extended version of the song, encompassing the released version along with addition verses from Baby Keem a few months after the SH2 release. The Carti verse is yet to surface.

SEARCH & RESCUE

Leaked after the release of Drake's single. Seems the song was sent to Durk to do a verse prior to Drake adding a second verse

SOD

Non-commercially released by Lil Yachty via Kai Cenat's stream. Was eventually non-commercially by Drake with a new Drake verse replacing Yachty's verses

Just something I found interesting. Usually when features are scrapped, they are replaced with another feature artist. But in Drake's case, alot of the time he replaces features with himself. And his new verses never really seem to be inspired by the verses he recieved back. So no real need for the feature getting the song in first place. I wonder what the thought process is when he goes back and cuts the feature for himself? Cause alot of these verses are solid features.

Good thread

What's Next with Keem

Thank you will add

Thank God

While alot of these features were solid, most of the time, the solo Drake version is the better version.

Just not sure why he even bothers sending it out for features tho? Why not just sit on the record a bit?

lemon pepper with rodeo wave

Thats diff cause it still had a feat

Talking songs where ft got cut to make it solo (usually by adding extra drake)

Collabing with people is good even if they dont get used imo.

oh. but you lowkey could do this the other way to. Solo songs turned to features.

U got that thread champ

i think someone already did

Kings of Leon feature was cut from Karaoke

Lil Wayne used to be on Congratulations but on the remaster he was left off. If that counts @op

Lil Baby was left off Toosie Slide

Will update the rest soon! Forgot about this one

didn’t know this

I Could Never was supposed to feature Jorja in 2017 but in 2022 he played an updated version on Table For One and she was removed

Young Thug had a verse on Signs that was cut

Dudes verses be wack that’s all.

These where cut for good reason
Some of those rappers voices don’t fit the beat or they verse didn’t fit the song structure

Gave em an opportunity and they fumbled

all big artists and rly most artists in general do this

exactly

more showing of how collaboration works and studio culture in general