Rarely do I go out and do this, but I felt like sparking some debate. Given his most recent, and albeit, impressive mixtape drop So Far Gone, Drake has already established himself under the wing of hip hop’s biggest star, Weezy, and has received the co-sign from numerous legends and current hip hop studs. For a guy who began on Degrassi, the look and the appeal was already there. He threw in a rap voice and some great lyrical skill to pretty much complete his threat. Is it fair to say that he has the potential to be, not only the biggest selling Canadian Hip Hop Artist, but simply, the most known Canadian hip hop artist ever?
The fact is this; I’ve heard more about Drake from the USA than I have from Canada’s own. To say that any other artist north of the boarder has garnered as much buzz and anticipation for a debut album could be inaccurate in comparison to Drake. If you look at the most successful Canadian artist, you’ll find some great emcees: Maestro Fresh Wes (The Godfather of Canadian Hip Hop), Saukrates (Multi-dimensional musical genius), Kardinal Offishall (Ambassador of Canadian Hip Hop), K-os (easily one of Canada’s premier emcees). With all of this talent, it could be hard to figure out how or what Drake has that should shoot him to the top.
The answer is simple. Lil’Wayne. Drake has not only hip hop’s biggest star at his disposal, but music’s biggest star. Whether he decides to ride the coat-tails of Weezy’s success is up to Drake, but it seems like he already has enough of a buzz going with him under Interscope without even putting out an album. With over 80,000 mixtape downloads of So Far Gone (with a variety of download links the number could be higher), I find it very hard to say that any of the aforementioned Canadian artists, let alone an artist of any area code, could pull that off. I still remember when he put out two joints alongside Little Brother; he was hardly an afterthought despite his large amount of potential and talent. Now, the problem is not talking about him and fitting him into that “Weezy Mode” of always being a topic of conversation.
Sure, while those previously mentioned artists have had tremendous success across the boarder, some fizzed out too soon (Maestro) and some took a while to get there (Kardinal). Drake seems to have been as loud as ever without ever making any noise. I don’t want to come across like I’m riding this guy (or take anything away from those Canadian hop hop legends), I’m sure the ego is probably boosting on the daily, but I do feel like despite the quality of his music he will be on top or at least around the top for a while for reasons that may or may not have anything to do with music.
Canada is loaded with talent, and if you have noticed, KevinNottingham.com has been hard at work promoting some hip hop from “America Junior,” as Homer Simpson calls it. Sadly, I can say that Drake probably won’t have that “Canadian Artist- Drake” label attached to him for too long, similar to how K’naan has been developing in Europe and Asia and even in parts of the US. The small of it all is that if and when Drake does release an album, we can probably expect BET’s countless countdown lists to feature him, for all the girlies to go nuts, and for all the alpha male hip hop heads to give him his daps. He’s got a ton of appeal and will certainly develop amongst even the slightest hip hop fans, just like his apparent partner in crime, Weezy, has.
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
Dope write up… Drake has come a long way from that Degrassi series to being one of the “new faces” in hiphop…
you’re exactly right. wayne’s co-signing to drake catapulted him to a level that he couldn’t have reached without him. i just wrote a little post joint about that. he’s been trill for a while. i actually made a track on that first mixtape for him. he was spitting then. he met wayne, and enhanced his flow a little bit to fit the mold of what the world (specifically americans) wanted to hear at the moment. and he did great work there.
but i like k-os a little bit more. he’s deeper and says some cool stuff. drake just has an ill flow and lines that make you rewind shit and be like, “oh shit, did he really just say that!?” but k-os is my favorite canadian artist. give me a little bit and maybe that’d change, but he’s more unique to me. the other thing is that on that first mixtape, he expressed his connection with the south. he apparently spent half his life in memphis (or summers or something like that), and i guess he kinda milked that because he has a slew of southern classic-sounding joints on this mixtape. he even boasts that country twang when he raps.
i’m just saying though. great post.
It’ll be interesting to see where his career goes with the Wayne co-sign. Wayne gets so much hate (some deservedly so) that its almost a negative so be associated with him.
Drake is the “it” or “hottest” (at least one of them now) that its no telling what people will think about him a year from now.
However, if he is smart (Drake) he can and will use the resource that Wayne is to get his music and the message he wants to convey to fans out to a broader audience.
Also, he’ll be smart to take a page from Wayne regarding work ethic. Whether you like Wayne or not his work ethic cannot be denied over the last 3-5 years.
The only thing will be once Drake goes 3x plat will the music stay the same? Its difficult to please everyone especially those “bandwagon fans of hip hop”. <<<<< those are the ones who jump on the latest and greatest thing….who care nothing about the history of hip hop or care to learn one page of its history.
Anyway enough rambling.
Great Response so far guys,
As I said, I wasn’t saying Drake is by amazing the “best” canadian artist, that’s another topic for another day…hopefully that is clarified. An artist like Shad or K-os can certainly fill that void though.
He still has a lot of work to do, and given that he has been in entertainment before in a variety of ways, it seems like his work ethic will be there. He’s got a little bit of an ego on him though…so something will have to be done about that. Even Wayne in the most extreme cases off the microphone is extremely humble
Can someone please explain to me what the big deal about Drake is? I’ve listened to his shit and it ain’t that good to me. Am I getting old? or am I missing something that makes him any better than the other 100,000 artists out there?
Nice post! I’m from Amsterdam, aka. redlight city but the only Canadian artist i’m familiar with are Belly, Kardinal Offishall and Saukrates. Drake seems dope though.
if i met drake n person u have no idea of all the shit i have of his. im addicted 2 his music cuz he has such talent no one really knows about!! hes da future of hip hop as we speak. i got all his shit from da beginning.
no hes not, kardinal, the rascals, red1, ect… id say he has the most buzz right now
thanks for reading D.. thanks.. thanks for reading
freaking retard
Tell me the average hip hop listener in America will know who Red1 is..
goddamn…. It’s post like that that make me wanna vent the hell off
Well i’m Canadian and find this pretty insulting that you call this shitty guy the biggest Canadian hip hop artist ever.
lol…
really john?
We will have to wait and see about this kid. How many of our favorite emcees started out his way? Biggie and Jay for sure but not to the degree of the digital age. More importantly, how many of the biggest emcees didn’t start off this way? By no means am I a big fan of Drake but if his buzz is big, big up to Canadian hip hop. Maybe his buzz, and I’m assuming his impending success should open more doors for cats we may really be feelin’. Yo go Jimmy!
YESSS JIMMY
Deez, you always on point. Drake is quite possibly my favourite MC right now, he has been for the past 6 months or so. He’s one of the few MC’s that I actually pay full attention to when he’s spitting. Flows, charisma, multi’s, everything. Dude can even sing. ‘So Far Gone’ been on blast non-stop since I copped it. If he doesn’t blow up as big as Wayne, something’s wrong.
lol by no means am i saying he’s of the top quality though Cee, a few douchebags already got Deez’ed for assuming so. I think he has probably the largest buzz of any canadian emcee though
As hip-hop gets more and more universal, foreign emcees will have more and more buzz. To say because he has the most buzz now that he is the best ever is like saying because Wayne is hot now he’s the nicest emcee ever. Do the history on Canadian Hip-HOp. If buzz is the measuring stick that you go by, you’ll be crowning someone else next year.
lol, never before have i felt so compelled to reply to these things. I Feel like some cats aren’t even reading what I’m writing.
Hannibal, why the hell are you telling me to do my Canadian Hip Hop history when you are out of NYC acting like you know a thing or two?
Where.. oh WHERE did I say he’s the best ever.. please.. tell me.. where. No, can’t find it can you?
actually here, let me help you out:
Is it fair to say that he has the potential to be, not only the biggest selling Canadian Hip Hop Artist, but simply, the most known Canadian hip hop artist ever?
where is the word “best?”
also: but I do feel like despite the quality of his music he will be on top or at least around the top for a while for reasons that may or may not have anything to do with music.
shit, all you have to do is read a paragraph or two. We write so that people can read. A simple read will let anyone see that by no means.. BY NO MEANS am i claiming him the best canadian, but, arguably, the biggest. What other Canadian emcee will have 100,000 in 26-30 hours of being available for download? Tell me..
Besides rap dude can sing and write as well..not to many of these young catz can do the triple threat thang…The article is “fresh”, I gotta throw up the blue cup for this one (wit’ dat purple sprite)
Excellent job Deez !!! A+++++++
Maestro Fresh Wes is the most successful canadian hip hop artist
lol…
i give up…
JD Era is the best canadian artist right NOW! that’s all I know he’s got the hardwood to prove it too.
Enough said about Drake 2 like god damn, ya hes good but he got murdered by era on a track verse 4 verse, not to mention classified who is one of the best lyrically out of Canada. one of the realest too, y’all just think drakes good cuz you know who he is.
says the guy who emailed me telling me to spotlight JD Era and such…
I realize he’s your peoples and all, but you are missing the point of this article.
LMFAO!
man actually won it in 08 I’m tellin you man.
….
young.. read the article.
i encourage you to read the article. Where in there, do I say anything about him being the best. For the record, JD Era has a LOT of work to do, and I’d gladly critique his album and his performance at the Gza show to see what else he’s got to deliver and the crowd’s reaction to him.
For the record, I do think Drake is a better emcee than JD Era, and he didn’t even need to put out this last mixtape for that. Moreover, you want to put JD Era up to the likes of K-os, Kardi, Shad, and Class? Yeah right… get off the high horse and get knocked back down to earth…
Deez, I guess people read “biggest Canadian hip hop artist ever” and they assume you mean best. I read your article. Nowhere did it say best.
To compare apples to oranges, I’ll go out on a limb and say Lil Wayne may turn out to be hip hop’s biggest artist ever. And you all know how I feel about Lil Wayne. Eh, that may be stretching it…. it kinda hurt to say that… lol
Deez is just pissed lol who cares at the end of the day all I know is it aint drake that’s for damn sure. And clearly era isnt the biggest artist EVER. But he is one of the hottest if not the hottest right now in my opinion. Young K out
The hottest right now?
are you kidding me?
Has he had a mixtape reach over 2000 downloads realistically?
What isn’t Drake, Drake ISN’T the biggest? Is Drake not one of the most talked about artists in music right now? Are you making equal Biggest and Best? I didn’t think people on here were shallow enough to do that.
Even Maestro (thanks to the retard who pointed that out, it only took him one single to achieve a good amount of success, but I’m more convinced that hip hop listeners are more familiar with Drake than Maestro)can’t say he had this buzz or the possible success that Drake could achieve.
lol, seriously, I don’t think people are reading the article
“Wayne gets so much hate (some deservedly so) that its almost a negative so be associated with him.”
^^^^^^^^
I co-sign my own statement.
it’s an opinion chill out man lol and na to me Drake isn’t the biggest. He hasn’t been out long enough for me to consider him the biggest ever. Ya his mixtapes do go over 2000 for the record, like that even matters tho.
For your question about Drake being one of the most talked about artist. Wasn’t Ja Rule one of the most talked about artists at one point? He’s not one of the biggest artists ever is he? who cares if he’s hot now. I like Drake’s shit but to me it’s way to early to say hes the biggest canadian artist ever.
HAHAHA Deez I feel your pain. It was hard reading all these comments.
Nah Young, It’s not all opinion… in this case, AS I’VE STATED IN MY ARTICLE, a lot of it is indeed fact.
What other Canadian artist has gotten work this quickly this high volume and this highly anticipated? What other canadian artist, has had, arguably the biggest artist in this genre, as their representative?
And for the record, Drake will have the best canadian hip hop album selling numbers in the USA with his debut album, regardless of how it is.
Ja Rule is in an American market, how are you gonna compare that, it’s hardly the topic here.
I could careless what you think, shit, I could careless what I think, this is more or less an expository article describing the success of Drake, who has yet to drop an album and is already bigger (and better) than your boy JD Era…
How do we know his popularity is because of his rapping and not his singing? I don’t think it’s as clear cut as you think. I don’t see him as a straight hip hop artist.
I’ll agree with you to a point. But I still don’t know if I can say he’s the biggest. I still know people who don’t know drake that know about classified and kardi. I don’t know if that makes them bigger to you but at least more well know. The Ja shit was just an example, 1st person I could think of. Drake is bigger than Era I know that, of course he is. I got it twisted at the start thinking you did mean best. I just like Era more cuz I feel drake is kind of trying to sound like Wayne. Either way it’s hard for me to say drake’s the biggest Canadian artist. I Still think Era is better than him but that’s another conversation. My bad for gettin it a lil bit twisted.
Honestly dude is not real. Hes made the right connections in the media thats all. He got a little flow thats cool with me he got a little car little jewelry.Feel me. Nothing ground breaking or original.He could very well make it to the top but not because hes that nice is just hip hop fans in general are wack.I’m sorry.Im not hating on the guy personally I’m defending real hip hop drake is commercial garbage at best. I fuck with this site cause yall deal with TIMELESS music.Drake will never put out a timeless record. Im from hamilton canada and I would love to see a big canadian hip hop star manifest but real recognize real and drake look like a stranger.
I just wanna add that kardinal is super wack.Why is it that canadian hip hop fans are so desperate for a hip hop star that they will big up any canadian artist that gets a video on bet.So many great underground acts here to enjoy. So what if the USA dont care about them just enjoy the music fuck the industry.
I do wish these new cats decide if they wanna be a rapper or singer.
What’s wrong with spittin 3 16’s for a song?
Drake reminds me of all the other people that have been endorsed by “popular” blogs and then burn-out in a few years time.
Mark my words, Drake ain’t here to last.
As far as people misinterpreting your words Deez… most dudes don’t read past the title when they see something opinionated like that.
Oh yeah saukrates most successful? I seen that bird everywhere Square One, BMO field etc.Looking like a pissed of rapper that never made it. He flopped hard.
My 2 cents as long as it’s good music…who gives a fuck if he’s the biggest or the best…it’s all about the music…We all have our opinion on who’s the biggest or the best and as real fans we should be able to respect each other’s opinions
Example: I say Fuck Soulja Boy !!! But someone else will say Fuck You…hey gotta respect dude’s opinion, lol
Young, I urge you to check out early Drake stuff… Phonte and Pooh connected with him on two occasions.
Ceelos.
First canadian artist signed to a major american label ain’t successful? Working on production and engineering with Redman and Method Man ain’t successful?
Touring with Nelly Furtado and forming his own band that has been drastically successful in europe ain’t successful? Saukrates is a genius.
Oh yeah those hit records with meth and red.How could i forget those.He was a back up singer for nelly furtado a BACKUP SINGER.yea i guess thats what I call doing it big.lol.
i agree with J.RIZZLE..good music is good music..it all comes down to our own personal taste in music..i personally dont like DRAKE’s music but i will say that the dude gots a hella of a buzz going on and with his fanbase and growing fanbase, you never know dude could be canadas biggest artist..i guess what im trying to say is who cares how successful an artist becomes or doesnt become, it comes down to our personal choice of what we like to listen to..we all have different taste in music..thats why these blogs are here for, to help some of us people that dont get a chance to hear some of these artist, get a feel for their music and at the sametime we help the blogs turn them on to some of the music we listen to that they havent heard..we as fans of music need to support our artists we like to make them successful..anyways good luck to DRAKE in his music career..(p.s. be on the lookout for NOTES TO SELF (canadian group) their dope)..PEACE
actually, he did a majority of executive production with Nelly Furtado. Chances are though, he probably made more money as a backup singer/hype man with Nelly F than anyone else would as a b grade rapper.
Are you kidding me with this though? Dude is one of the most respected hip hop men from up north. He’s done absolutely everything to elevate the bar of hip hop here.
DEEZ. Nelly had timbo thats all i gotta say about that.I know hes an OG but he just never blew up.Hes not what up and coming canadian artist wanna be.
K I’m a do my homework on Drake for ya deez.
lol K,
do what you gotta do man, once again, I’m not claiming this guy is god’s gift to Canadian music. I think there are loads of better artists out there.
Bump, bump, bump!!!!
Once again pub going to wack ish… the blogs are becoming the new radio… love it to death
Deez get’s nuff respect, I thought the article Deez wrote is better than Drakes mixtape…I’m must be old….I’m just not feeling this Drake dude…Sound like Kanye to me…
“I felt like sparking some debate.”
Mission accomplished, Deezill. I think what some people are missing is the distinction between “biggest” and “best”. I thoroughly enjoy K-os more than Drake. But, with Weezy’s backing, Drake has the vehicle that allows him to gain a lot of exposure. He’s already putting his name out there. Funny enough, most people I talk to identify him as “dude from Degrassi” instead “dude from Canada”
lol… I didn’t know Degrassi was big in the USA until recently though. Bun Ryan Gosling via Breaker High
and right on, this shit rules
Wow, some of these comments were quite difficult to read, and a little ridiculous. Deez, don’t waste your time being bothered by those comments and trying to explain yourself because they’re obviously not reading your article – and for that, their comments have no value to what you’ve written. Maybe next time the title will be worded differently so that lazy people don’t jump to conclusions and make stupid comments.
On another note, I read it, and I thought it was very well written and a great mention to this Canadian Artist. As usual, great job Deez.
Deez, hell yeah Degrassi is big in the US, an old head like me watches that joint every weekend, with my bowl of Frosted Flakes…That’s where I recognized Drake from…I was like that’s that youngin’ fron Canada that’s on that joint with Little Brother “Don’t U Have a Man”…btw the ladies love when I bump this song
Man… Drake is one of the illest hip-hop artist ever. I enjoy Ransom by him and Wayne, and that song is really popular at my school. But alot of his new mixtapes coming out are filthy. It would be a lot better if he came out with an album though. He’d get alot more recognition, and a lot more poeople would be able to know about him, and see how he is basically like Weezys prodigy. So hopefully he’ll do that.
I jus got up on Drake and think he cool…for now. Hopefully I wont get sick of hearing his voice like I’m sick of hearing wayne. His lyrics are worth paying attention to and in hip hop thats all you can ask for from MCees. Tha R@B aspect jus adds some flavor. We will all see if he exsist in 5 years. I think he will. Not in same sentence as Pac, Biggie, Or Jay. Mayb Shady
I didnt know this guy was on degrassi?! wtf? That will mess his street cred rite the F up. If this kid even looks at 50 the wrong way he will be over. 50 is the all time best career killer. now that i know this i want him to fail. Seems like all the hip hop out of canada is soft.I thought “drake coffee cake” was different.
Guess not.
Please define “street cred” to me? What does 50 have to do with this post? What does he had to do with Drake? This whole comment is ridiclous….I’m not sure why I’m responding.
Big FAIL You’re comment has This has to be the most asine comment I’ve read on here. You may
Big FAIL for you my friend….hit submit before I clean the comment it.
lol
i feel you homie…
I don’t think Deez even heard a JD ERA track to make that comparison. U assuming since Drake is much more known that he better than ERA. Please nigga, u need to really get up on ERA, actually go ask Kardi about ERA, or better yet ask DRAKE about ERA and he’ll tell u ERA is so FUCKIN NASTY.
lol @ droppin’ the N on me.
But word, Era impressed at the Gza show apparently. But I mean, I’m not saying skill wise anyone is better than who.. Drake is easily the biggest act out of canada in a while. What other Canadian hip hop artist charges 40$ for a concert? and will still most likely sell out?
I would just like to state that Drake is the a very talented and unique artist. Coming from the Canadian scene merging into a U.S. market with some our hottest artist is not as easy as it may look. But he has done that and my opinion he has the potential to do this till he doesn’t want to any longer give us something that he, you and I know that no one else can bring to the table. “Drake Creativity”
Ok so this cat has some potential no doubt. I agree that he is really one of the biggest names in the game “at the moment”… Honestly though, coming from another artist, he sometimes has elementary lines that make me question why he would say that ish and then at other times he is kinda clean. The voice is reminiscent of Bow Wow on the realist. LOL! Say what you want but if u lissen it’s true. He could be a real good addition to the game or he might just fall into the same group as a lotta these new so-called “talents” and just be a momentary spark.
IWE a Canadian Rapper He Look Mexican Like Me HOMES
Damn ESE
3 days until the Drake concert….I am so excited. I’ve loved this boy from “Jimmy”, to “wheelchair Jimmy”, to Drake. Degrassi did these behind the scenes 1 hour specials on different cast members and when I watched Drakes (Aubrey Graham) that is when I first knew about him rapping cuz they showed him in the studio and I was surprised and wanted to check out more so I found his myspace and instantly fell in love with “City is Mine” and every other song he had on there….I checked back all the time for new songs and thats when I became a huge Drake fan. Drake and I share something in common with having white Jewish mothers and black fathers and I love some of the jewish references he uses. I’ve seen this guy around a few times and he is so down to earth and laid back and I feel for now that is the persona he brings to his music and performances. He’s not about rocking the stage with 3 platinun necklaces on and having a diamond studded grill in his mouth he’s just keeping it real Drake style. I love his beats and that he sings and that he has so many chill and laid back tracks. I have friends who loved replacement girl and brand new but now that the buzz is so big on him they’re down playing him saying he’s not all that….it’s like there happy at the beginning when he’s just coming out making a name, but then when the buzz is out and the potential is there for him to do big things they start knocking him down. I don’t know what is is but I myself will always show my love and support to canadian artists because I feel they work 10 times harder than there american counterparts to make it big. Damn I could go on forever but I hope the concert sells out and every has an amazing time and shows there love…I wish I checked this site out sooner so I could’ve entered the contest to win free tickets….Then again I am a big enough fan that I’ll gladly pay my $40 and support Drake….regardless of what his future holds he is HOT right now and this concert is gonna be CRAZY!!!
yeah, it’ll be an interesting show. I’m gonna be sure to be extra critical
wots good peeps….yo drake is an excellent artist and i dont hate on his lyrical flow esp since he can blend hip hop and rnb…..but im thinking ok if he is from north of the border why does he sound like one of mainstream hip hop artists from da states? i thought hip hop was suppose to be bout ORIGNALITY AND CREATIVITY…..not everybody sounding alike like DAMN ROBOTS…..hip hop in da states mos def needs a real adjustment these days and i FEEL the roots and conscious effect is slowly coming back…..when it does hip hop will be back to its pure soul essence from the streets like it use to be……not negativity…..
Drake sucks ass the reason why he is so bigg is cause he is with young money . he wouldnt be that big if he didnt have a track with trey songz and was backed up by lil wayne trust me ..there are so many other rappers out there thats better than him . You bigging him up like he is your savior . gtfoh, He is smart for wearing his star of david cause he knows the music industry is owned mostly by jews ..thats the truth not trying to sound mean but its a fact. fuck drake
Every time an artist “gets to much shine” the same argument comes up. “so and so is better than him.” Tell so and so to make better records.
Every artist is not meant to be a star. SMH.
give a flyin flip what ppl say. this nigga still sounds like yung berg. and he’s makin ppl question my name too… LOL
1st of all hershel i dont worship any damn humans ya know……and as for drake i think he should develop his own style in regards of how he express his lyrics esp since he is not from the STATES……i heard a few songs he made himself that makes him stand out and his unique style of hip hop/rnb is a good combination as far as being in the hip hop game….the only thing that i dont like about his involvement w/ CASH MONEY RECORDS is that all they focus on is on the lower level vibration of the hip hop game(sex, MONEY, etc…..) and its gets tired to hear da same kind of songs that focus on the consciousness of SET…….da hip hop game needs an upliftment…..i have listened to a couple of rappers from CANADA their music style is totally different than the MAINSTREAM POPULAR hip hop artists that are blowing up in DA STATES like young money, LIL WAYNE, ETC…..
I need some opinions please.
Who do you think is better, Method Man or Drake?
Thanks!
from my opinion, method man has much more experience in the rap game than drake due to his anomalous of debuts and lps he has produced and participated in……drake is new to da hip hop game these days and he has alot right now to prove that hip hop comes from the heart and not all bout materialistic themes……he is a talented artist and i hope to see him in the future to start his own thing and bring rap back to a positve fun vibration……