Top 20 Best Drake Songs For Your Favorite Playlist

We list some of the best Drake songs you can add to your favorite playlist. The OVO rapper is well known for his introspective rap style, his sensitive R&B crooning, and his golden touch with songwriting. Drake has proven himself an able wordsmith and gifted curator of sound — his ability to identify a ripple in the zeitgeist before it turns into a full-blown wave is part of what makes him consistently successful.

Bio: Who is Drake?

Drake was raised only by his mother in Toronto, Canada since he was just five because his parents got divorced. Sometimes, he spent summers with his father in Memphis. Drake started his career as an actor when he was 15 years old. He portrayed the role of Jimmy Brooks on “Degrassi: The Next Generation”, a Canadian teenage drama series. However, he later decided to connect his life with singing, which led to him releasing his debut mixtape, titled “Room for Improvement” in 2006. The talented youngster signed to Young Money Entertainment, and in 2010, his debut album “Thank Me Later” came out. It instantly brought him great success, debuting at number one on the United States Billboard 200 chart. Other albums, from 2011’s Take Care to 2018’s trap-influenced Scorpion — topped charts worldwide, Among the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 170 million records sold, Drake has also won four Grammy Awards.

Top 10 Best Drake Songs

1. Hold On, We’re Going Home

“Hold On, We’re Going Home” is a dreamy, 100-BPM cut that nicely split the difference between synth-soaked R&B (think Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It”) and slow-motion deep house (Disclosure’s “Help Me Lose My Mind”). The track features someone named Majid Jordan, a pair of Toronto producers ( Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman) formerly known as Good People. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, as well as number five on the singles chart in his native Canada.

Stream “Hold On, We’re Going Home”

2. Hotline Bling

“Hotline Bling” sees Drake focusing on a former lover, as he recalls the late night calls from her on his cell phone. He previously knew that when his hotline “blinged” late at night it could only be a booty call from his girl. Now Drake doesn’t get those calls anymore, and it’s driving him crazy. With his cell phone silent, he is mad with jealousy, wondering if she’s getting freaky with someone else. The song’s instrumentation heavily samples the instrumentation of Timmy Thomas’ 1972 hit “Why Can’t We Live Together.” Helmed by Director X, the “Bling” video features Drake dancing — solo, often in wide shot — very much as if no one’s watching. Later on, he’s joined by choreographer Tanisha Scott, who was asked to craft a routine reminiscent of her work on Sean Paul’s “Temperature” video.

Stream “Hotline Bling”

3. Worst Behavior

On “Worst Behavior” Drake calls out his doubters on this song where he discusses the transition from being a budding actor and rapper, to being a Grammy-winning superstar. In the video, Drizzy takes it back to his father’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The 10-minute clip was shot in Memphis, Tennessee and opens on the historic Royal Studios, which was run by Drizzy’s uncle Willie Mitchell. The clip consists of vintage-style shots of ’70s pimps before we see modern-themed footage of Drake and friends. It also features appearances from his father, Juicy J, Project Pat and Turk from the Hot Boys. Drake said he’s been “hesitant” to return to his old stomping grounds. “My family is like two different worlds and I feel like people only acknowledge one half of it,” Drake told VIBE. “I have a lot of family that I love very deeply (in Memphis). But if anybody knows anything about the South and how it is, it’s tough to go around people who could use your help and you can’t help everybody. It’s like a guilt or a burden that comes over me, so I hadn’t gone to Memphis in a long time.”

Stream “Worst Behavior”

4. God’s Plan

“God’s Plan” is a song recorded by the Canadian rapper, and it acts as a single from his second EP, Scary Hours (2018), and the lead single from his fifth studio album, Scorpion (2018). In the music video, the rapper gives away the project’s entire $996,631.90 budget, which he chronicles throughout the video. “Don’t tell the label…” the opening credits read. The next six minutes feature Drake handing out stacks of cash to people on the street, delivering toys to the children of Miami’s Lotus House, surprising a family with a brand new car and providing a scholarship to a student at the University of Miami, among other acts of kindness.

Stream “God’s Plan”

5. Over

On “Over” Drake raps about his introduction to fame and how his career is just only beginning. It sees him as someone who fought for notoriety, gained it, and now struggles with what comes with it: criticism, groupies, and the pressure of expected greatness. It was released as the first single from Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later. In an April 2010 interview with MTV News, Drake gave his thoughts on the song saying “‘Over’ is a great alter-ego moment. It’s the dark side of things and I really wanted that to come out first.”

Stream “Over”

6. Started From The Bottom

“Started from the Bottom” was released as the first single from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. It features a sample of the ambient piece “Ambessence Piano & Drones 1” by Bruno Sanfilippo. The Mike Zombie-produced single begins with a dreary piano loop before the rapper begins his chant, which is backed by steady war drums. “I feel sometimes that people don’t have enough information about my beginnings and therefore they make up a life story for me that isn’t consistent with actual events,” the former “Degrassi: The Next Generation” star wrote in a blog post announcing the track. “I did not buy my way into this spot and it was the furthest thing from easy to achieve. I am proud of every part of my past and I’m excited for this song to find a place in your life as well.” “Started from the Bottom” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

Stream “Started From The Bottom”

7. Find Your Love

“Find Your Love” finds Drake surrendering to a forbidden love. Drake continues harmonizing on the chorus, hoping to fulfill his heart’s desire before it’s too late. The song displays the Toronto-native’s singing abilities over a melodic Kanye West-beat. During a 2010 interview with Complex, No I.D revealed how Drake took the song. “Drake heard Rihanna’s version and was like, ‘I really want to use this record,’ and I was like, ‘Man, ask her!’… So he ended up with the beat and then when he recorded it he was singing, and I was like ‘Word? Singing. You’re really rolling with this, huh?’ Drake took it and made his own magic record.”

Stream “Find Your Love”

8. Take Care ft. Rihanna

“Take Care” is part of Drake’s 2011 studio album of the same name. The song features guest vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna. The Drake song is actually a remake of a Jamie xx’s remix of the legendary, late Gil Scott-Heron‘s “I’ll Take Care of U.” Jamie xx, a member of the Mercury Award-winning English group the xx, remixed Scott-Heron’s 2010 album I’m New Here last year, creating We’re New Here. 40 said he and the team at OVO felt “I’ll Take Care of U” never got its deserved shine, so they asked Jamie for the files so they could “take this song and make it go.” The black and white music video feels very intimate and romantic, with shots of the duo caressing one another and resting their heads on the others shoulder.

Stream “Take Care ft. Rihanna”

9. I’m Upset

“I’m Upset” was part of Drake’s fifth studio album Scorpion (2018). In the music video, Drake staged a massive reunion with his former co-stars. The six-and-a-half-minute visual opens with Drake, fresh off a one-night stand, waking up in a bed on the court of the Toronto Raptors’ home arena, Air Canada Centre. The single followed the Pusha T and Kanye diss track “Duppy Freestyle,” a three-minute Soundcloud track paired with a mock invoice billed to the G.O.O.D. Music rappers for “promotional assistance and career reviving.”

Stream “I’m Upset”

10. Laugh Now Cry Later ft. Lil Durk

On “Laugh Now Cry Later” Drake and Lil Durk rap about the high-life they live and a relationship, hoping to live in the moment and deal with pain and troubles later. The song’s Dave Meyers-directed video was filmed at Nike World Headquarters in Oregon. The track features cameos from Kevin Durant, Odell Beckham Jr. and Marshawn Lynch. The song debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and received nominations for Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Stream “Laugh Now Cry” ft. Lil Durk

11. Nonstop

“Nonstop” is part of Drake’s fifth studio album, Scorpion (2018). It was released as the sixth single from the album on July 31, 2018. In the video for “Nonstop,” Drake takes things completely next level during what appears to be a moment of “me time” for the rapper as he sits poshly at the table for one, drinking from a teacup.

Stream “Nonstop”

12. Nice For What

“Nice For What” heavily samples Lauryn Hill‘s “Ex-Factor,” which appeared on 1998’s genre-shifting The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. In the music video, the star-studded clip, which includes Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tiffany Haddish, Yara Shahidi, Zoe Saldana, Jourdan Dunn, Letitia Wright, Syd, and Misty Copeland, is remarkable for its celebration of black women in front of and behind the camera.

Stream “Nice For What”

13. HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right) ft. Lil Wayne

“HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)“, also known as just “HYFR”, is part of the Canadian rapper’s second studio album Take Care (2011). The song features Lil Wayne and was released as the album’s sixth official single. In the music video, directed by X, shows Drake’s younger self busting a move at a family party, then gets “re-bar mitzvah’d as a recommitment to the Jewish religion” and does the Hora with an ear-to-ear grin on his face. Birdman and DJ Khaled look on from the pews, Trey Songz imbibes liberally and Lil Wayne spits his guest verse from inside a bear mask. Drizzy explains how when he was younger his mother wasn’t able to throw him the proper Jewish coming of age party, so now that’s got some money he’s taken it upon himself to appropriately throw his own re-bar mitzvah. During the 10-minute bit, Drake also introduces fans to Hamilton emcee OB O’Brien, as well as some of his family and friends that were also in attendance.

Stream “HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)” ft. Lil Wayne

14. Toosie Slide

“Toosie Slide” was a catchy confection engineered to cause an Internet stir — which it did after the Atlanta dancer for which it’s named (Toosie) teased it during the pandemic. Toosie’s short clip set off a dance challenge that viral across TikTok. Toosie is a dancer from Atlanta whose real name is Daquan. If you listen to hip-hop, like to dance, or like to watch people dance to hip-hop, you’ve probably come across one of his videos. He got his start in high school, posting Nae Nae routines on Instagram that immediately blew up. Six years later, he’s linked with Future, Rae Sremmurd, 2 Chainz, Tory Lanez, Migos, Lil Wayne, Diddy, Playboy Carti, Usher, and yes, Drake.

Stream “Toosie Slide”

15. Drake – Chicago Freestyle ft. Giveon

Drake shared with fans a double release titled “When to Say When” and “Chicago Freestyle” during the pandemic. When to Say When / Chicago Freestyle are two featured classics on Drake’s mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes that pay tribute to notable rappers. When to Say When features a sample of Song Cry by Brooklyn’s Finest, Jay-Z , while Chicago Freestyle opens from Eminem’s flow with Superman.

Stream “Chicago Freestyle” ft. Giveon

16. Energy

“Energy” sees Drake show that how the negativity of detractors extends beyond himself to many other famous personalities. In the Fleur & Manu-directed vid, Drake’s face is morphed onto the likes of Oprah, Kanye, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Barack Obama and many more… it’s gloriously surreal.

Stream “Energy”

17. When To Say When

Stream “When To Say When

18. In My Feelings

“In My Feelings” is an infectious tune which is much more than a viral dance record. The OVO rapper penned a quasi-love letter directed at former lovers and women he’s been fascinated with in his life. In the New Orleans homage directed by his go-to magic-maker Karena Evans, Drake acts, dances, and acts some more alongside Lala Anthony as Kiki and the phenomenal Phylicia Rashad, who plays her mother. There are cameos from NOLA bounce queen Big Freedia and the City Girls, along with clips of viral videos of people doing that dance, but it’s Shiggy who steals the show with his carefree dance moves that started this whole thing in the first place. Towards the end, Shiggy flexes his acting skills in a scene with Drake and fans of the two were ecstatic about his moment in the spotlight.

Stream “In My Feelings”

19. 5AM In Toronto

Without a hook, Drake takes numerous competitors and naysayers to task on “5 AM in Toronto“, rhyming for almost three minutes straight. While he doesn’t get specific, but when he mention Lupe, some people took this as a slight. But Lupe told Genius that bars can be cryptic and that it could mean anything. “I don’t think he said that,” Lupe said at around the interview’s 36-minute mark. “I don’t know. He’s never confirmed that. He’s never said anything about that and people always bring to me and make it a thing. And I kinda played into it generally because I ain’t really know but I still don’t think that’s what he said.” On August 2, 2019, the song was re-released after Drake dropped Care Package on all major streaming platforms — a project he describes as “some of our most important moments together available in one place.”

Stream “5AM In Toronto”

20. Headlines

“Headlines” is the second single from Drake’s second studio album Take Care. The song debuted and peaked on the Billboard charts at number 13, becoming one of his highest charting songs at the time of release. The song takes the bull by the horns and shows off, as the opening lyrics confess, Drakes ‘overdose of confidence’. As for anyone who doubts Drake’s greatness, he figures that they’ll eventually be forced to admit that he’s the real G.O.A.T. in the room. The music video was directed by La Mar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne, both related to The Weeknd’s “XO” crew. It doesn’t feature anyone from Young Money, but has appearances by T-Minus, Noah “40” Shebib, The Weeknd, Boi-1da and Kromatik.

Stream “Headlines”

Honorable mentions

Connect with Drake

You may also like: