Wake N’ Watch: Drake “Best I Ever Had” + Exclusive Interview
Finally. After months of everyone bumping Drake’s “Best I Ever Had”—sweat pants, hair-tied, chillin’ with no makeup on—the biggest song in the country finally gets a video. A video directed by Complex homie Kanye West, no less. And it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. This past week, the Toronto native’s smash single rocketed up 24 spots to #3 on the Billboard charts, right as he solidified his much gossiped-about record deal.
Just before premiering the highly anticipated video (whatup, OnSMASH!), Drake stopped by the Complex office to discuss working with Kanye, the truth about his new deal, his handicapped experience at the 2009 BET Awards and his thoughts on World Star Hip Hop’s newfound love of Degrassi…
Interview By Damien Scott
Complex: Everyone’s been waiting on this video. Can you take us through the making of it?
Drake: Yeah. The video is directed by Kanye West. Basically we decided, as opposed to taking ourselves super serious, we just wanted to have some fun with it. Myself, being a young man, a young single man at that, I kind of wanted to be real about the way I function with women at this current point in my life. Which is, I don’t have one woman that I call my girl. There’s different girls in my life that play different roles and I see at different times, but collectively they kind of make up the roster of happiness for me [Laughs].
Complex: Understandable. So what’s the concept?
Drake: The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.
Complex: Well, now they’ll know.
Drake: [Laughs.] Now they’ll know.
Complex: Kanye is known as kind of a control freak. How was it working with him on set with him directing?
Drake: Me and Kanye have a great eye to eye. I can’t speak for anybody else, but I would give Kanye the utmost credit for actually being one of the most understanding creative people that I have worked with. I think me and Kanye have mutual respect for each another and I listen to what he has to say regardless, ’cause I trust him. I don’t really fight his suggestions [Laughs.] But he was great. It was a long day and I just thank him for dedicating the time he dedicated. He was great.
Complex: Speaking of basketball, you tore your ACL playing basketball, right?
Drake: Yes sir. It was intense casual, I guess [Laughs]. It was just a regular pick up game and I just took the wrong step.
Complex: Damn, that’s horrible. At the BET Awards this past Sunday, everyone was shocked to see you sitting on a stool. Did you ever think to yourself, Maybe I shouldn’t perform?
Drake: That, actually—to be honest—was a terrible idea that I’ll never do to myself again. [Laughs] But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes. I don’t think it called for us to perform “Every Girl” and “Always Strapped,” and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-in-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne’s daughters and her friends coming out on stage…
Complex: Yeah, it really was an awkward moment.
Drake: Yeah, it was just timed very poorly and it definitely wasn’t planned like that, but with that being said, it is what is. I believe in Wayne and myself and it’s nothing we can’t bounce back from. To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn’t intended to offend anybody.
Complex: Watching it at home, the BET Awards seemed to be a mess. Did it seem that way in person?
Drake: Well, I can only speak for my portion of it. I had asked for something very specific for my performance and none of those were met, as far as production value, so…
Complex: That’s BET for you…
Drake: I understood my situation, as far as sitting in one place, and figured there was a way to make it interesting. But when I looked around and noticed that none of that was going on [laughs], I kind of just realized that it was going to be a loss for me. But at the end of the day, it is what it is.
Complex: How did you feel when you heard Mike passed?
Drake : Shocking. Because Michael is just one of those people that you just kind of expect to always be there—he’s Michael Jackson. He’s like one of those guys you never think about…
Complex: …as a real person?
Drake: Yeah. I just never thought Mike could die. And it’s tragic. I know before this tour, a lot of people never had the opportunity to see Mike perform. It’s unfortunate and I always find it interesting to see when people pass away and people find this new found love for the person
Complex: Yeah, a lot of people were saying if Mike never passed, a lot of the comedians would have still gone on making jokes and what not.
Drake: Yeah, you know it’s just…it’s a very interesting thing when somebody passes away and people sort of…the world loves Michael Jackson, I just think that there are certain people who use it as an opportunity to talk more. With that being said, I always appreciated what Mike did and my condolences go out to Mike’s family.
Complex: For real. Going back to your music, “Best I Ever Had” jumped to #3 on the Billboard charts. And then you announced yesterday that you signed your deal with Universal…
Drake: Nah…I definitely want to clear this up, I didn’t sign to Universal. I’m actually signed to… a lot of people were telling me, “Oh, you should do it independent.” I’m actually 100% independent. I signed to Cortez Bryant and G. Roberson, my managers, so I signed a joint venture between Aspire Music Group, which is them, and Young Money. So the only part that Universal plays is P&D [pressing and distribution]. I’m not a Universal artist. I’m signed to myself.
Complex: What does Young Money bring to the table?
Drake: Since the beginning of this, Lil’ Wayne has always put himself out there on behalf of me, from spitting my verse at the VMAs, to jumping on the songs that I needed him on and always promoting me. Right now it’s more about building up Young Money, as opposed to what Young Money brings to the table at this point. Obviously, what Young Money brings to the table is Lil’ Wayne. He’s a powerhouse and I felt it was only fair to stay loyal. I thought it was only fair for him to get that look and I wanted the YM logo on the album and to make sure that he knows that I don’t take what he did for me for granted.
Complex: You were entertaining other offers from Atlantic and Interscope, right?
Drake: I can definitely say that I wanted to be over at Interscope for a while, but it wouldn’t allow me to work with Wayne the way that I wanted to work with Wayne. I had to make a sacrifice. But with that being said, if we sell some records and people actually see how the record deal breaks down… Somebody told me they saw my deal the other day and they said it was one of the worst record deals in history [for] the label. That’s a good thing for me. I own everything, I have 100% creative control, I own all my masters, everything. I’m blessed to be in that situation. If we sell some records, I think we’ll just add to the historic pace that this has been going at.
Complex: There was a feeling that if you didn’t sign to a major label, that would signal the demise of the record industry.
Drake: I think that it all depends on the success on the project. I can have this conversation with you and tell you the impact I think it may have, especially when the details of the deal get out. But it’s all dependent on what I do. I first have to make the right album that will sell some records. With that being said, I definitely think it could cause a bit of a shift if we find a way to sell a million records.
Complex: What made you want to strive to stay independent?
Drake: Since I started, I’ve always been giving my music away for free…I’ve always kind of done it for the people, you know? So I just want them to still have some attachment to this project. I don’t want to lose my fans completely because they support me in a way that’s more than just listening to my music. They support me like we’re friends. They support me like they have emotions invested in it. So I want there to be a challenge to it, so when it drops, they’re looking at the numbers, they’re maybe even clicking it twice on iTunes just to prove a point. I want it to be fun, man. This shit is just not exciting if it’s so straight forward like, “I’m putting a record out, go to the store and buy it” and there’s so many people behind it, it has nothing to do with me. You know? It’s like, fuck it, let’s just have fun, let’s see if we can shake up the world, let’s see if we can fuck with the system. I just figure it’d make it more interesting on the album day.
Complex: There were rumors of a $4 million bonus…
Drake: [Laughs] Where is it? Tell me where it is, I’ll go pick it up right now. I got some money. I got a little money. I’ll be alright for a couple months.
Complex: Lately there have been a couple videos on World Star Hip-Hop showing you in your Degrassi days. It doesn’t seem like your past bothers you in any regard…
Drake: I think World Star Hip-Hop thinks it bothers me. There was a time in my life when I really lashed out against World Star Hip-Hop. And it wasn’t World Star Hip-Hop the site, ’cause I’m not gonna pretend like I don’t go there every day. It was just the way people look at World Star Hip-Hop as an outlet for them to talk about shit. There are artists that I feel could be doing a lot better for themselves that go on there and kill their own careers by just talking too much, and I think that they took that personally and now all they do is air Degrassi clips of me and potential things that could embarrass me. But with me, man…the great thing about me being me in this game is that I’ve been so honest up until this point, I really have nothing to hide, I don’t fear any clip, you know? It’s out there already, everyone knows that’s my story. At the end of the day, it’s part of me, it’s my stepping stone. I’m proud of every moment thus far.
RELATED:
• Drake Talks Young Money, Kanye Comparisons & Ghostwriting (Feb. 2009)
• Complex’s Best of 2009 (So Far): The Top 10 Albums (Drake @ #3)
• 50 Cent Talks “Power” Cologne And Drake Comparisons
• Mr. Hudson Talks Auto-Tune, Drake Video, & Kanye’s LV Shoes
• 10 Exclusive Retail Deals For Rap’s New Generation
DeShawn Stevenson July 2, 2009 at 9:51 am
Let me just say it FIRST:
BEST. VIDEO. EVARRRRRRRRR
Greg Washington July 2, 2009 at 10:01 am
I’m a huge fan of Drake and a huge fan of Kanye. But this video was a let down on both sides. Kanye should have chosen a more appropriate concept and Drake should not have allowed that video to be made. Not a good look for either gentlemen.
London Calling July 15, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Agree. AWFUL video!
Capo July 2, 2009 at 10:19 am
Everyone who is complaining about the video must not like to look at titties. And if you don’t like to look at titties. I don’t like you.
sunny July 4, 2009 at 9:26 pm
well said nigga. aha
Peter Fallow July 2, 2009 at 10:26 am
Mr. Greg Washington,
Please keep your heterophobic comments off of Complex.com.
Thanks,
Peter Fallow.
Marcus Troy July 2, 2009 at 10:30 am
Very insightful interview on DRake! Another one.
MT
jocyn86 July 2, 2009 at 10:34 am
You DDDDDDDDDDD Fucking Best
ithinkiloveher July 2, 2009 at 10:36 am
great video. i don’t think people really grasp the metaphors and Kanye’s directorial vision.
like, when when Drake is talking about how stretching is an essential part of the game, peep how Kanye holds that shot of the girls stretching each other for several seconds. real director shit. on some channeling Kubrick shit.
you kids are used to all the silly ass videos on 106 with shots cutting every half a second and no real artistry to it.
plus there are titties and ass everywhere.
awesome video. STFU haters.
s.t. July 2, 2009 at 2:57 pm
you my friend are an idiot. Stanley Kubrick?! Wow wow wow…..streching? Any 4 year old who can hold a camera still then your saying can be a GREAT director? I do not think so. Do me a favor and die.
Pete July 2, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Worst music ever
suckitmarshall July 2, 2009 at 2:38 pm
This video is incredible, and I don’t even like Drake.
Titties in slow motion > Your weak-ass CGI effects
brandon July 2, 2009 at 2:41 pm
nope, nope, nope dont understand why he’s getting soooo much hype, i can name 5 other artists that are 100x better than he is, AND are underrated, but im not gonna bitch, thats just what rap has become…!
MIKE July 2, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Capo July 2, 2009 at 10:19 am
Everyone who is complaining about the video must not like to look at titties. And if you don’t like to look at titties. I don’t like you.
^^
CHUUUURCH
me July 2, 2009 at 4:44 pm
This video sucks. BIG disappointment. Titties don’t make a video great.
Haha July 2, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Not all the time. But this time it definitely did. I don’t even like this song, but I saw it just for the titties!
Kiley July 2, 2009 at 4:44 pm
IDIOT… should have took his own advice…..
Drake- Say you will
“but slip up and shoot the wrong fucking video
and they think they can market you
however they decide to naww”…..
Boogii July 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm
When i say this is the most sexist shit ever made. this is disgusting. don’t no straight woman want to watch girls bouncing all around and putting they ass to the camera. i love drake and kanye but they can have this shit back.
Fem July 2, 2009 at 5:48 pm
This video is disgusting. Bad enough he rapping nasty songs on the BET Awards with Lil’ Wayne’s daughter on stage. Then he shoots a video with girls titties out and they’re supposed to be playing high school girls in the video? What’s up with disrespecting young girls? Damn, at least act like you’re coaching a women’s b-ball team. If Drake need to throw in a bunch of titties and asses for people to watch his videos then he aint no real MC. This dude is GARBAGE. And Kanye stank for making some shit like this.
Sam July 2, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Yea, I think Drake is wack as a rapper. But this video is great.
fuzz e July 2, 2009 at 8:30 pm
great video. i don’t think people really grasp the metaphors and Kanye’s directorial vision.
like, when when Drake is talking about how stretching is an essential part of the game, peep how Kanye holds that shot of the girls stretching each other for several seconds. real director shit. on some channeling Kubrick shit.
you kids are used to all the silly ass videos on 106 with shots cutting every half a second and no real artistry to it.
plus there are titties and ass everywhere.
awesome video. STFU haters.
^^^^^^^^
you my friend are an idiot. Stanley Kubrick?! Wow wow wow…..streching? Any 4 year old who can hold a camera still then your saying can be a GREAT director? I do not think so. Do me a favor and die.
^^^^^
he was obviously being sarcastic. If he was as ignorant as you think he wouldn’t even know stanley kubrik’s name…anyway the video is sexist…and it does clash with the song…but its funny as hell.
Jhalainna Castaneda July 2, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Dude, this is why I love Drake….he’s so real and honest….
maria July 3, 2009 at 12:14 am
I write this on the off-chance it really will get to you… I didn’t know you were the one that sang this till my kids were like “THAT’S JIMMY!” My kids like your music, so far i’m ok with that. i personally love Degrassi (I grew up with Spike and Snake lol) and the role you played taught some very valuable lessons, never let anyone make you feel any differently. I am very proud of what you’re doing to bring your dreams into reality, just watching u roll with lil wayne’s crew concerns me. Be you, not the you they can turn you into. I guess I care cuz my son has a friend who looks so much like you, and he’s wanting to call himself a rapper and all… u know how it goes. You’re big to lots of people kid, best of blessings!
Uncle Love July 3, 2009 at 3:31 am
Drake is overrated and unsincere. I don’t believe him in the interview and I have deleted my Drake music. He and Lil Wayne made an ignorant song even more obvious with the little girls presence on the awards.
This video drives the disrespect and disregard of women into the ground. Kanye wasn’t even creative or gollowed an interesting story- it was just gratuitous and blatant sexism- a Hooters commercial- Drake was the pimp….
Yes the women were beautiful and sexy but as a man I felt stupid and cave-man like after watching that. It shows in the comments what type of males enjoy this video.
Kanye your soul and artistry are getting corrupted- get it together man! You better than that! I don’t know about Drake.
Bri July 3, 2009 at 10:56 am
GREAT Interview!!!
Stuff Ghetto People Like July 3, 2009 at 11:45 am
It’s like Drake was coaching the Cleavage Cavaliers…
Stuff Ghetto People Like July 3, 2009 at 11:46 am
Or the Toronto Faptors…yeah, that’s the ticket!
P-Jizzle July 3, 2009 at 1:08 pm
lol, the explanation is right there as to why the vid is the way it is: “The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.”
To condense that into a 3 minute video which will appeal to a audience, I don’t see how you can do much better than that…
Realms July 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm
lotsz of talk about the "best i ever had video"
i wasz checkin sum of the commentsz n it deff looksz like the majority of people are against it. there wasz even sumone who completely gave up on drake which shocked me. i mean, i respect his response in the explanation of the video, even tho i didn agree wit the concept or the quality but itsz just one video.
if ur rele listening to what he saysz in his songsz n u see the way he isz in interviews, u obviously had a good idea of the kind of person he isz.
if ur gonna let one lil disagreement over a song video sway ur entire opinion about a person then i find that messed up. know what i mean? like put urself in the shoes of an artist n imagine sumone isz loving all ur ideas up until they see one small thing they dont like
i honestly hope i have a strong base of support
*this doesnt apply to anyone who wasznt a fan to begin with
*n hatersz alwaysz want to talk shit about other peoplesz opinion so do what ya do
drakehead July 4, 2009 at 4:12 am
the video wasnt wht i expected but ima always love drake he’s sumthinq the wrld hasnt seen yet && everyones jst hoppinq on his dick and ithink kanye did a qreat job on ths video && its makes me wonder wht more drake has to brinq to the plate keep uph da qood wrk;;
&.8.6.07 July 4, 2009 at 4:13 am
the video wasnt wht i expected but ima always love drake he’s sumthinq the wrld hasnt seen yet && everyones jst hoppinq on his dick and ithink kanye did a qreat job on ths video && its makes me wonder wht more drake has to brinq to the plate keep uph da qood wrk;;
C-LOS July 5, 2009 at 3:40 pm
DRAKE IS DA TRUTH FOR REAL DUDE DELIEVERS AND IF ANYBODY WANNA BATTLE ON WHO DELIVERS MORE THAN HIM OTHER THAN WAYNE WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE
naughtyniemczyk July 5, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I think he’s a much better R&B dude than a rapper.
Hip Hop Comics
Drake – I’m Going In (feat. Lil Wayne)
Cole July 5, 2009 at 4:48 pm
idk what you guys are talking about.
VIDEO: good A
SONG: great A+ (Houstatlantavegas is better though)
DRAKE: EXCELLENT A++
Weezy and Drizzy are gonna the future of hip hop forget the past
Reesha July 5, 2009 at 9:16 pm
When i first seen the video, i definitely hated it..but after watching it again, i found it really funny and saw what him and kanye was trying to do..i was going to Support drake anyway..This is my favorite interview of drake thus far.Part of what made me like him is that he is always real and honest..and this interview proves it..He’s real, raw as i gets..and nobody can put him down..in fact im not one of those who “jumped on” degrassi..I loved jimmy and Degrassi from the beginning, and people who loved the show then would have noticed that Aubrey graham was into music and was gonna do something with it..furthermore, i like how much he apreciates his fans..and he’s write we even invest emotions..Myself..i wish i could atleast be his friend, i think he’s chill beyond the music.
mr. swagger July 6, 2009 at 3:41 pm
so this the hype? multi-tasker Kanye doing video for Drake. underrated Miami’s Gil Green does better music videos for crying out loud.
tits, ass, “stretching”, so amateur even a filmmaking student can do tha sh*t.
Cipha Sublime July 7, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Yo! Dopest video Every! Its the “BEST” i ever seen in a while.
This may have revuenated his fading career!
S. Weston July 8, 2009 at 11:18 am
Cewl article. Drake, keep doin what u doin! As a fan, we appreciate you, ur music is fun, I see ur gonna keep it that way, and I assure my support!!! God Bless.
S. Weston
M.Wanzer July 9, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Great interview. I think dude gets a lot of hate because people just cant understand how this child star came out and is killing in hip hop. People will say stuff like o..he only raps for the females, o he’s too pretty, but if you really give one of his tapes some burn, he actually can spit. In addtion to all of that, dude is not really brash and he sounds rather articulate in his interviews. More power to ol’ boy and I’m glad he got a good deal, to many of these rap cats get raped when it comes to signing on the dotted line.
M.Wanzer July 9, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Oh yeah, and even though I am a dude, and I can appreciate the assets in the vid, and I am a fan of the dude, I thought the video was kidna wack, granted his explanation cleared it up a little and I am glad he didnt do something cliche like singing to some chic while driving a benz, I expected something a little better from him and Ye
RobLee July 10, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I am a big fan of drake I actually was listening to his music for a while not realizing it was the guy off degrassi. True story one day I was watching an old ep of Degrassi and listening to Brand New not knowing it was jimmy funny stuff. Anyways I think the video was a big let down I mean when I watch a music video to a good song I expect there to be more of a connection or honestly he could’ve done something like his replacement girl video ( which I think is a better video than this one). Yes I like seeing scandilly clad women with nice bodies but we see that everyday everywhere you turn, I just found the video to be lackluster I mean honestly its early in the game and I just think early in the game his videos should be amazing and people( Men & women) should want to watch the video over and over. In the end I just think his next video needs to be like he said Ground Breaking to recover from this and hopefully his cd which should drop this year is ground breaking
Krista July 11, 2009 at 11:54 pm
i genuinely think that Drake is a connoisseur with words. his lyrics are inspiring, witty and down right intelligent. since jimmy brooks, Drake has hands down been an amazing actor, singer, lyricist and eye-attention grabbing person. he will go far. no doubt =)
DJ MP July 17, 2009 at 10:01 pm
It’s a fucking video shut the fuck up, if you hate it don’t watch it. I never seen people get so mad over a video. It’s because he had so much hype. His trey songz video from like 2007 was basic and look where that got him. Let him do what he wants.
Incognitus July 26, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I don’t fuck with this cat’s music at all. The only reason I like this dude is because of him, Light-skinned half-breed pretty boys like me are back in style again. For a long time, we we’re played out. Back in the early 2000’s and late 90’s, it was about being dark-skinned and super thugged out in tee-skirts and hefty garbage bag pants.
Amorous_ September 10, 2009 at 1:56 am
To all the haters, eat a dick. This Video is fucking dope and I in no way find it offensive being a female n all… Its funny. It truly is. Most of the videos out there have the artist rappin in it. They decided to tell a story. Plus+++++, Them girls are hot! :) Big ups to Drake n Kanye 4 this one!