20 Best Lyrics From Drake

Let's face it, Drake has had a pretty good couple of years. He went from playing a paralyzed teenager on 'Degrassi High' to being one of the biggest rappers in the game. With only one album out, and one on the way, he's quickly become the go-to collaborator for everybody from Lil Wayne to Kanye West to Jay-Z. Fans have been patiently awaiting his sophomore release, 'Take Care,' due in exactly four weeks on Nov. 15, but they haven't been deprived of his lyrics; he's featured on other artists' records, covered R&B music and let just about everyone into 'Marvin's Room.'In honor of Toronto's favorite MC, and his forthcoming sophomore effort, sit back and enjoy our countdown of Drake's 20 best lyrics.

 

20

"Intelligent too, ooh, you my sweetheart/ I've always liked my women book and street smart/ Long as they got a little class like half days/ And the confidence to overlook my past ways."

'Fancy'

Tibrina Hobson, FilmMagic

Rarely do you find a male artist making an anthem for women, but Drake's 'Fancy' falls squarely into that category. From the one-liners to the inquisitive chorus, this track is entirely club-worthy. Drake already knows that the ladies love him so why not lay down the blueprint of the kind of woman he's looking for.

19

"As soon as it's official/ We'll have to let it go, go, go/ So we don't confirm the fling/ Keep avoiding all the questions/ You can teach me many things/ I'm just scared to learn a lesson."

'Little Bit'

Jeff Vespa, WireImage

Even before finding fame, Drake confidently blurred the lines between hip-hop and R&B on this remix to Swedish artist Lykke Li's track about a secret love. The beat's European influence and carefully placed Auto-Tune turns him from rapper to singer then back again. We're "a little bit in love" with this track.

18

"F--- that n---- that you love so bad/ I know you still think about the times we had/ I say f--- that n---- that you think you found/ And since you picked up I know he's not around."

'Marvin's Room'

Christie Goodwin, Getty Images

Bad things can happen when you drunk-dial and spill your heart to someone who's clearly over you. This track proves things might not end well. Drake's ingested a little liquid courage to chat up his ex-lover. He may be a hater in his verse, but he's only being the honest rapper we've come to love.

17

"Man they treat me like a legend, am I really this cold?/ I'm really too young to be feeling this old."

'Over'

Roger Kisby, Getty Images

All eyes were on Drake to see if the first single off his debut album, 'Thank Me Later,' would be worth the wait. So he had no choice but to comment on the speculation. The club appeal of 'Over' is undeniable. In this line, he reveals how success has aged him, but it's "far from over."

16

"I love Nicki Minaj, I told her I'd admit it/ I hope one day we get married just to say we f---in' did it/ And girl I'm f---ing serious, I'm with it if you with it/ 'Cause your verses turn me on and your pants are mighty fitted."

'Miss Me'

Jason LaVeris, FilmMagic

Deep down, Drake is a hopeless romantic, and his sweet spot is Nicki Minaj. He not only made his love for her known on his first album, 'Thank Me Later,' but also proposed marriage. Sadly, these two will probably stay forever in the friend zone.

15

"Would've came back for you, I just needed time to do what I had to do/ Caught in the life, I can't let it go/ Whether it's right, I will never know/ But here goes nothing."

'Aston Martin Music'

David Livingston, Getty Images

Drake is no stranger to sacrificing personal relationships for career aspirations, in fact he's been vocal about it, which is showcased here. On this Rick Ross track off 'Teflon Don,' where he goes head-to-head with Chrisette Michele to demonstrate his crooning abilities, the rapper let's his lady know work -- mixed with a bit of pleasure -- comes first.

14

"N----s want to be friends, how coincidental/ This was supposed to be ya'll year, we ain't get the memo."

'Moment 4 Life'

Scott Legato, FilmMagic

Drake can go from humble to cocky in the blink of an eye. He gladly hyped up his success but the true reign of Young Money is on this track. Complemented by Minaj's whimsy on this song from her debut LP, 'Pink Friday', Drizzy moved away from wishing to have a moment to letting the haters know he's here to stay.

13

"It's funny how someone else's success brings pain/ When you're no longer involved, that person has it all/ And you stuck standing there/ But I'm gonna need you to say something baby."

'Say Something'

George Pimentel, WireImage

There's nothing more uncomfortable than witnessing your ex doing well when you're still feel bitter. So what happens when that ex is one of the biggest rappers in the game? Drake took this concept and turned it into an entire song. Even though it's Timbaland's track off 'Shock Value II,' Drizzy took the reigns and the super-producer had no problem letting him run the show.

12

"I mean that thing is poking/ I mean you kinda like that girl that's in the U.S. Open/ I mean I got this hidden agenda that you provoking/ I got bath water that you could soak in."

'In the Morning'

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Drake's not the first rapper to reference Serena Williams' "assets," and he won't be the last. Using the famous tennis player's curves as the blueprint to bring this line to life, we get the feeling that the girl he's rapping about has a great figure.

11

"Baby you my everything, you all I ever wanted/ We can do it real big, bigger than you ever done it/ You be up on everything, other h--s ain't never on it/ I want this forever, I swear I could spend whatever on it."

'Best I Ever Had'

Raymond Boyd, Michael Ochs

Hip-hop and love songs don't always mix but with these romantic lines, Drizzy put himself on the map. Showing affection for his lady-love made the women swoon and the industry sat up and took notice. Drake deftly shows his sensitive side without being too syrupy.

10

"I'm doin' classic s--- in all my sessions/ Other n----'s situations they are all depressin'/ That's why I never follow y'all suggestions."

'Uptown'

Michael Stewart, Getty Images

The 25-year-old MC takes after his label boss Lil Wayne with these lines. While he couldn't necessarily foresee just how "classic" his future records would be, like Weezy, Drake isn't shy in boasting or expressing his self-confidence. As for the rappers who seem to be failing in his eyes, he doesn't name-drop but touching on the subject proves he's leading and not following the rap pack.

09

"When they want you to be like somebody else and you just want to be yourself/ And you do it and get the feeling it's wrong/ It is when all the press articles happening/ And the cameras get to snappin'."

'Try Harder'

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Prior to major labels bidding for him to sign with them, Drake was having trouble keeping his image intact. Here, the rapper reveals how people want him to change his style to fit the mold. It's a good thing he stuck to his guns.

08

"Tell me can we kick it like Ali Shaheed and Phife Dawg/ People really hate when a backpack rapper get rich and start livin' that life dog."

'Show Me a Good Time'

Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images

Not everyone would characterize Drake as a "backpack" rapper, but in his mind, he's down with the struggle. Putting himself in the same league as Common, Talib Kweli and the ultimate backpack rapper-turned-mainstream mogul Kanye West, Drizzy exposes everyone who hates on his bank balance.

07

"Yeah, I want it all that's why I strive for it/ Diss me and you'll never hear a reply for it/ Any awards show or party I get fly for it/ I know that it's comin,' I just hope that I'm alive for it."

'Successful'

Mindy Small, FilmMagic

Before he actually made it, the 25-year-old rap star was just like any other aspiring artist putting out mixtapes, hoping to get put on. Teaming with Trey Songz on this tune, he spits about reaching his goals, but the best thing here is the hunger heard in the lyrics. Everybody just wants to be successful.

06

"Dedicated to my mom and I swear my word is bond/ Everything will be OK and it won't even take that long/ You can see it in my face or even read it on my palm/ Leader of the new school, it's proven and it's known/ I'm sitting in a chair but in the future it's a throne."

'The Calm'

George Pimentel, WireImage

Drake has always been close to his mother, who raised the Young Money signee as a single parent. In past interviews, he credits his mom with inspiring the sensitivity in his lyrics and this track displays them in raw form. Penning this track after a fight with his dear ol' mom, he still wanted to make her proud despite their verbal tiff. We're sure he's made up for any other disagreements since then.

05

"Yes I make mistakes that I don't ever make excuses for/ Like leavin' girls that love me, and constantly seducing h--s/ I'm losing my thoughts, I said damn where my roof just go?/ Top slipped off like Janet at the Super Bowl."

'Money to Blow'

Jag Gundu, Getty Images

Lil Wayne's right-hand man must have been through some relationship woes because this verse is nothing short of a diary entry. Choosing lust over love is nothing new, but the way Drake throws Janet Jackson's infamous "nip-slip" into the mix on this Birdman joint off 'Priceless' is pretty perfect. Drizzy won't let Miss Jackson live that one down.

04

"And I'll be right here in my spot, with a little more cash than I already got/ Trippin' off you 'cause you had your shot/ With my skin tan and my hair long and my fans who been so patient/ Me and 40 back to work but we still smell like a vacation."

'I'm on One'

Johnny Nunez, WireImage

Drake is no psychic but predicting that his second album would be just as successful than his first was a pretty safe bet. Teaming with some of the usual suspects, like DJ Khaled -- the song appears on his 'We the Best Forever' album -- and Lil Wayne, Drizzy addresses his long break between releases and thanks fans for their support.

03

"Please start doin' you, I've been doin' me/ And I'm a staple in my city, you can never ruin me."

'I'm Still Fly'

John M. Heller, Getty Images

No matter where he ends up, Toronto will always be home to Drake. There's no argument that he's the biggest rapper to come out of the Canadian city, but he never forgets his roots. He's Toronto's very own -- and October's while we're at it -- and he's proud to rep his city.

02

"Dropped the mixtape that s--- sounded like an album/ Who'da thought a country-wide tour would be the outcome/ Labels want my name besides a X like Malcolm/ Everybody got a deal, I did it without one."

'Forever'

Denise Truscello, WireImage

Drake's rise from mixtape rapper to the top of the charts is the stuff that dreams are made of. The 'So Far Gone' mixtape he references on this song -- taken from the 'More Than a Game Soundtrack' -- not only sounded like an album but got him a Grammy nomination. Not bad for a rookie.

01

"I might be too strung out on compliments, overdosed on confidence/ Started not to give a f--- and stop fearing the consequence/ Drinking every night because we drink to my accomplishments."

'Headlines'

David Becker, WireImage

Compliments aren't always a good thing. Even though he's used to making headlines, too much too soon can be overwhelming. Like Kanye West before him, he explains on this first offering from his sophomore LP that being at the top can be as addictive as it is lonely.