Drake’s Next Move: Comeback Season or Curtain Call?

Hey SND/SYS Fam!

We’re back with this week’s dose of sounds, vibes, and unfiltered takes! From groundbreaking albums to cultural shifts and debates that have the streets and the timeline on fire, there’s never a dull moment. Hip-hop, as always, stays at the center of the conversation—challenging norms, redefining itself, and reminding us why it remains the heartbeat of culture. And this week, we’re diving deep into one of the biggest questions shaking the game right now: where does Drake go from here? Let’s get into it.

Also, just 3 Weeks Until Jay Glavany Takes the Stage. He’ll be hitting the stage as part of K. Forest - Under the Firelight on December 22 at The Baby G in Toronto. Grab your tickets now and come out to show your support! Get your tickets here

Hear Me Out

Words by Gaellan Brown

With everything that's been happening over the past few weeks, a major question we’ve been asking is: where does Drake go from here? His current standing in the culture of Hip Hop is questionable, and having the support of the culture is crucial to the success of any Hip Hop star. Right now, Kendrick is the people’s champion, and Drake’s missteps throughout the beef actually support the numerous claims that he is, in fact, disconnected from Hip Hop.

Drake the Artist vs. Drake the Rapper

As an artist, Drake’s career is not in danger. His catalogue is too good and too vast for him to fail. Don’t be a prisoner of the moment and forget that he is one of the most successful acts in history.

As a rapper, though, his reign is definitely in jeopardy. Hip Hop fans are notoriously fickle, and if enough people come to the consensus that Drake does not belong in the culture, his notoriety in Hip Hop could dissipate. He might have to shift towards making music in other genres entirely. Then again, his ability to create great music in other genres is arguably the reason he has accomplished so much in music. So… does it even matter?

The Ego and the Genre

The ego of a rapper is almost as fundamental as the ability to rhyme. The genre is inherently braggadocious. Whether you’re claiming to be the richest, the flyest, or the most lethal, rap is a genre fueled by narcissism.

How Drake handles his ego being hurt will determine his future in Hip Hop. After the humiliation caused by Pusha T in 2017, Drake became bitter, resentful, and even slightly obsessive. Most of Scorpion felt like he was trying to prove to himself—and to everyone else—that he lost by circumstance (i.e. J Prince stepping in) and not by ability. His anger toward Kanye, Pusha, and others was continuously heard in the projects that followed.

This time around, there really is no excuse. The culture has decided on a clear winner in Kendrick Lamar after what feels like a 9-game series. Drake has no choice but to accept that loss. So, does he hang up the jersey or take some time off to make a comeback? (Side note: If there was ever a time to release Comeback Season on DSPs, it would be now, btw.)

Where Should Drake Go From Here

My suggestion as a fan of Drake is to shift focus to other genres and aspects of his career. Maybe I speak for myself, but I think everyone would love an album full of Controlla’s and One Dance’s.

Maybe now is the time to focus on developing OVO artists and continuing to build an even more robust empire that isn’t reliant on him to drive all the revenue. Double down on the TV/Film production side of things and give us more amazing shows like Top Boy and Euphoria (maybe with a more mature storyline, though).

Drake deserves a break, and I think more good will come from it than harm. My hope is that, in 2030, when he makes his return to Hip Hop, we finally get the full rap album fans have always wanted—and it’s his version of 4:44.

On Our Playlist This Week: We’ve been deep in the lab, curating tracks that hit just right. Here’s what’s been in heavy rotation:

• Julieta by LATIN MAFIA – A true gem of Afro-Latino music. We need more cross cultural music cuz this was the most fire music discovery I’ve made in a long time. Certified banger - Gaellan

• FACT SHAMING by DEEMA – My favourite track from the Dog with a £ EP he just released. The ‘Amerie - 1 thing’ sample over the smooth production is chef’s kiss. - Aaron

Mix of the Week 🚨: Our latest mix just dropped on YouTube, and trust us – you’ll want this on repeat. “DEEP CUTS R&B MIX” was inspired by Jay’s EP ‘Deep Cuts’. Jay selects some of his favourite covers and originals to showcase the importance of artistic inspiration amongst musicians.

Spotlight: Albums/EPs You Need to Hear: We’ve been vibing to some fire releases lately, and we couldn’t let you miss out. Here’s an albums/EPs that deserve your attention:

• Peace of Mind EP by Shenie Fogo – I discovered Shenie on Spotify while searching for new music, and I remember the first song I heard was “Head in the Clouds.” I was completely mesmerized. Her new EP, Peace of Mind, dropped recently, and it’s a gem. Still an independent artist, Shenie clearly has a strong understanding of her sound palette and consistently delivers within that style.

  In this project, she collaborates with her go-to producer, iSHi, to create music that's perfect for your Saturday or Sunday mornings. It’s definitely worth a listen if you’re looking to escape the noise and refresh your ears. The project is solid throughout, but my favorite tracks are the title track, “Peace of Mind,” and “Fade Away.”

Stay Tuned: We’re cooking up some fresh mixes that’ll be coming your way soon. Make sure you’re subscribed to our YouTube channel or check us out on SoundCloud so you don’t miss a beat.

Catch you on the next drop,

JG & The SND/SYS Team

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