Top 10 Underrated Drake Songs

 
Produced and co-written by Khalil Rahman aka DJ Khalil, this track examines the personal anxiety that comes with fame. With each passing verse, Drake becomes a little more rattled, detailing the cost of his growing fame and reputation. He lays down some fundamental truths, but the “Fear” persists, as he tries to deal with being misrepresented and underappreciated. It’s a little more personal than the typical existential hip-hop track, and Drake insightfully chronicles his industry journey with the support of DJ Khalil’s layered and meditative production.
 


 


 
For this snarky track, Drake and his featured guest take aim at … posers. Rhyming over a grimy beat, Drake reminds that he’s the real deal in more ways than one. And if he’s less than clear with his message, Future drives home the hook while elaborating on the diverse array of uppers and downers currently in his system. Throughout the track, Drake and Future insinuate that they’re more about keeping it real than posturing for others, making “Grammys” an entertaining and thought-provoking commentary on rappers in love with the spotlight.
 
 

 
Produced by Noah “40” Shebib, this track isn’t necessarily a love song, per se, but it’s driven by honesty and truth. With a drawn-out lyrical delivery, Drake explains his glamorous lifestyle, adding that real life is different than a paparazzi’s perspective. In classic Drizzy fashion, he attempts to qualm the concerns of a certain female, yet he doesn’t quite apologize for any questionable behavior. “Cameras” is a stripped-down take on what it means to date a high-profile hip-hop star. In other words, the cameras don’t always reveal the truth, but rather a brief snapshot about a specific place and time for hip-hop’s “underground kings.”
 
 
 
 

 
With its mid-tempo beat and inspirational narrative, this track features a younger Drake on the cusp of achieving his dreams. Musically, the production has a slow jam feel, certainly when paired with Andreena Mill’s vocals. But “Closer” thrives with Drake’s lyrical acumen and precise phrasing. There’s no mumble-rap going on here, and although Drake keeps it loose there’s a sense of urgency that shines through. Back in ‘07, a mixtape track like this showcased what Drake could accomplish, and he clearly felt that he was on the right track. Looking back, it’s most definitely one of the Toronto MC’s more underappreciated songs.
 
 

 
While this joint didn’t make the American version of Drake’s studio debut, it nonetheless had success on the Billboard charts. Even so, people tend to forget about “9AM in Dallas,” a track in which Drake essentially talks smack to all the haters. It’s filled with freestyle zingers and features all the Drake bravado that fans have come to love. But it’s neither a deeply philosophical track nor a club banger – more of a meditation on swatting down the trolls and knowing one’s place in the game. In that regard, it’s steeped in traditional hip-hop roots; a song that’s often overlooked given its absence on the domestic album release.
 
 
 



 
Built on a jazzy, stripped-down beat courtesy of Drake’s right-hand man Noah “40” Shebib, this late album track is one of Drake’s more chilled-out productions. Starting with a sample of Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Drake doubles up with vocals of his own. In the first two verses, Drizzy shifts gears from confident to skeptical lover, questioning whether he’s lost credibility. But rather than spiraling into madness, Drake re-focuses by the final verse, now dropping rhymes with confidence. However, there’s still some underlying anxiety about the future. It’s the subtext that makes “Jungle” such a gem, as Drake looks inward rather than boasting about trivial matters.
 
 
 

 
In the opening seconds of this song, a dreamlike vibe sets the tone. Produced by Eric Dingus and Jimmy “Prime” Johnson, “Now & Forever” has Drake caught up on his thoughts, caught up in all his hopes and fears. It’s a moody, existential track about breaking free from what’s holding you back, with many people interpreting the lyrics as a nod to the ongoing drama between Drizzy and Cash Money Records. There’s no rap clichés, hip-hop references or name-dropping to be found, just the repeated statement of “No More”, making “Now & Forever” an accessible track for any listener, anywhere.
 
  

 

 
Poetic and minimalistic, this love ballad plays like a conversation between Drake and an old flame. With a soft piano backdrop and Jhené Aiko’s hushed vocals setting the mood, “From Time” feels completely harmonious once Drake begins his first verse. With this song, he’s not afraid to open up, but doesn’t come across as soft. Through this approach, he addresses issues with his father and romantic stress, acknowledging all the little things that make a difference. It’s about communication, with Drake becoming even more raw by the end. All in all, it’s the slight production tweaks that give “From Time” some depth, just as Drake makes his own personal tweaks and progresses as a songwriter.
 
 
 

 
For this track, Drake uses one extensive verse to pay homage to his roots. At times, there are subtle references to friends, and even foes, yet Drake livens up “Weston Road Flows” by dropping pop culture references throughout. Even if listeners can’t necessarily relate to Drake’s experience, they can at least appreciate the context, as he paints a full portrait of his life - past and present. Incidentally, when Drake ultimately references “Weston Road” - the Toronto street where he grew up - one can understand Drake just a little bit more.... where’s he been, and how he sees the world.
 
 
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
 
“Company” feat. Travis Scott
If You're Reading This It's Too Late (2015)
 


“Under Ground Kings”
Take Care (2011) 



“Club Paradise”
Single (2011) 
 
 
 

 
Thanks to the opening vocals by British singer Sampha, there’s immediately an anthemic quality to this Drake production. But rather than keeping it light, Drake revs things up with a couple of strong verses on the costs of success and its impacts on family. Doing away with the usual hip-hop fare, here Drake addresses his own family, desperate for some type of resolution. By allowing himself to be so vulnerable, it’s clear that some aspects of Drake’s life had become too much to handle. With Drake’s introspective lyrics combined with the soulful and heartfelt contribution from Sampha, “Too Much” will surely be remembered as one of the best deep cuts from Drake’s discography.