Drake’s recent months have been filled with both triumphs and controversies, leaving fans and critics alike guessing about his next moves. The rapper has managed to score several major achievements despite some setbacks. Most notably, he was named the most-streamed rapper on Spotify once again, solidifying his dominance in the streaming world. He also took home three awards at the Billboard Music Awards, showcasing his continued relevance in the industry. However, his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, particularly after the infamous “Not Like Us” diss track, has cast a shadow over his accomplishments.
Despite this, Drake appears to be moving forward with new music, much to the excitement of his dedicated fanbase. On December 19, 2024, Drake took to Instagram to tease his upcoming work, sharing a glimpse of his longtime collaborator, producer Noah “40” Shebib, hard at work in front of a Christmas-decorated fireplace. The producer, laptop open, can be seen mixing a track, which many believe could be part of an upcoming release. While Drake doesn’t appear in the photo, the caption—”strong winds from the north”—left fans speculating about the location and meaning. Could it be a reference to Toronto, where Drake hails from, or perhaps his new home in Texas? Either way, the post confirmed that new music is in the works.
This announcement comes at a time when fans are eagerly awaiting the long-anticipated collaborative album between Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, which the two artists had initially promised would drop before the end of 2024. With the year quickly drawing to a close, it seems unlikely that the album will arrive on time, leading to speculation that it has been delayed. PARTYNEXTDOOR had mentioned he would return to work on the project once his tour concluded, but there are no updates confirming if his contributions are complete. It’s possible that the track 40 is working on in the Instagram post will appear on the collaborative album, but this remains uncertain.
Drake’s recent Instagram post is also a strategic move to build anticipation for his new music, especially considering the negative press he’s been receiving lately. Beyond the ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, the rapper is reportedly planning to sue Universal Music Group and Spotify over alleged tactics used to boost the streams of Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” This legal action, along with the backlash from fans, peers, and the media, has sparked widespread criticism of Drake’s actions. Notably, Snoop Dogg recently weighed in, criticizing Drake for not adhering to the street code of the rap world. During an appearance on the Bootleg Kev Podcast, Snoop remarked, “On the West, we hold court in the streets,” implying that Drake’s behavior isn’t in line with traditional rapper conduct.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Drake’s strategy to tease new music is likely to keep him in the spotlight and maintain fan engagement as he navigates through these challenges. With 2024 rapidly approaching, it’s clear that Drake’s career continues to be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but his influence on the music industry remains undeniable. Fans are eagerly awaiting more updates as Drake’s journey continues to unfold.