Of all the huge Drake features - and there’s a lot - his most defining to me are on DJ Khaled’s I’m One One and Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode.

I’m On One

In I’m On One, Drake shines brighter than any other artist on the track (which includes Lil Wayne and Rick Ross), with an almost cold crooning hook that people can sing along to yet embrace as a hard-hitting rap chant. Lyrics like ”All I care about is money in the city that I’m from” and ”I don’t really give a f*** and my excuse is that I’m young” call Drake’s identity into the song, with his Canadian background and being younger than the established legends he was being compared to at the time respectively, which is not only oddly specific for a hook on a rap superstar posse cut but also puts him at the forefront beyond just a catchy hook and a dope verse by being so revealing.

While Drake had already proved himself to be a great feature artist on Rihanna’s What’s My Name and that he could hang with rap veterans on his single Forever, I’m On One was when he first showed that he could renegade other artists in his signature way: with a sung hook and memorable verse with many flows. This is especially notable given the time period in his career; he just began the era for Take Care which would go on to become his most defining album...

Sicko Mode

Seven years later, Drake is in a very different spot than he was in Summer 2011. He’s the biggest rapper in the world, an established rap legend and a “big bro” to a lot of younger rappers; Sicko Mode showcases this, along with Drake’s ability to transform another artist’s song into a bigger moment on full display, leading to the song becoming one of the longest running songs in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 ever, further cementing Travis Scott’s spot as one of the most important current rap superstars with his first #1 song, and becoming arguably one of the biggest events the genre has seen in the last ten years.

If we compare where Drake was between these two songs, we see a promising act of the younger generation coming into his own vs a veteran who has been dominating for almost a decade at the time. I’m On One and Sicko Mode couldn’t be any more different, yet, (besides originating from Drake’s own songs, Trust Issues and Elevate) they both mark a vital point in his career that encapsulates his place in hiphop in relation to everyone else. He came for the throne and we watched him take it, all with the help of two songs that force us all to stop and look at his assists.

Accidentally deleted last time my bad

its all good fam all love

does @op or anyone else remember if TRUST issues came before or AFTER im on one? jc

Hey, I don't think they were asking for your approval

I'm On One is a great song, not a fan of Sicko Mode because of the annoying beat switches

Music sxn fuming

F*** off i run this site ppl gotta check in w me before they hit post in music sxn G

blocked

fam its all love

⬆ ⬆⬆😂😂😂😂😂😂 not check in

Sicko Mode originating from Elevate?

After

2nd drake verse on sicko mode was supposed to be 2nd verse on elevate

ah ok dope stuff. thanks fam

Interesting

Still 99% sure Drake sent to Travis last second so he couldn't ask for another verse. Woulda scrapped it so fast. Im not lettin no1 diss ye contributing to my art as myself. Nvm as travis

This is wild to see it’s full circle

I'm On One is dope all around.

Ross was at the height of his powers, his delusions at their zenith. Wayne had mastered his scatological style and was getting by on pure wit and charisma. Drake was the underdog coming into his own, challenging up and comers, talking his s*** and blaming his exuberance on youth.
Classic song from that era. No New Friends too.

we gon be aright if we put drake on every hook

One of young Aubrey's more underrated features

Travis a whole spineless b**** for allowing that

How do you know what Travis & Kanye's relationship is?

They havent worked together in 4-5 years

😂😂😂😂😂huh

he probably didn't even catch it tbh lmao