S. Samuel
Young Money's Drake speaks out on his rap image and why he does not feel a need to become somebody he is not in the new XXL Magazine.
Based on an excerpt from his interview, Drizzy admits he feels comfortable in his own skin but isn’t sure if many artists can say the same.
“Do I think that if I didn’t have, for lack of a better term, a unique look about me, if I was from somewhere in America and if I hadn’t been on a kids TV show [Degrassi: The Next Generation], would I be as famous? I don’t know, man. Honestly, I don’t think so. I was just some young kid on a TV show. And I haven’t become anything else while I’ve been in this position. It’s not like I got here and was like, “Oh, got to switch up my image.” I don’t wake up nervous. I feel like maybe a lot of these guys do. How old are you, really? What is your background, really? What have you really done in the drug game, in the thug game?” (XXL Magazine)
A couple years ago, Drizzy spoke on overcoming his friendly “Degrassi” television image.
“I watch clips of myself on ‘Degrassi’ and I’m like, I can’t believe people look at this guy and hold me as one of the most respected rappers out there!,” he explains in the magazine. “But being Canadian and an actor aren’t things to overcome any more – they add to my story…I definitely see [the Will Smith comparisons.] Except that my hip-hop is different from his…When the stars align, anything is possible.” (Q Magazine)
Recently, throwback footage from Drizzy’s “Degrassi” days surfaced showing him give a full tour of his mother’s home.
“Me and my grandma have a little thing, my mom doesn’t let her eat chocolate. But my grandma slides me a little extra cheddar on the side and I make sure she gets her daily chocolate dosage,” Drake said in the video. “Now we’re going to check out my space. This is my space, this is where I live. This is my living room. I like a chilling vibe, that’s my favorite thing about this basement. I made this table. It’s got Barry White, Frank Sinatra, Notorious B.I.G., everybody around this table has basically inspired me to get into music, particularly Pharrell, he’s one of my idols.” (“Degrassi: Unscripted”)
Drizzy also gives his father a shout-out in the clip and shows off his personal music stash.
“This is my dad, him and my uncle worked with Al Green. That’s basically why I do it. He taught me everything. So, thank you dad, I don’t get to see you that often but my love is always with you. … I’m a music fanatic, so, I got some Fab, some Marvin Gaye, Kanye West, Big L, Jay-Z, all the Jay-Z albums, I don’t know, we could go on for days.” (“Degrassi: Unscripted”)
