This week, the much anticipated (or dreaded, depending on whom you ask) Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay lists were released on every subscriber account. Per usual, Drake ended up on many people’s top artists list.
As people started to post their yearly roundups that have turned into entertaining slideshows from Spotify and Apple (side eye to you, Apple Music listeners) on Instagram, the consensus is that many people were confused about how Drake snuck on their lists. While some people finally admitted to liking maybe one or two songs that he released with their other favorite artists this year like 21 Savage or Future, others felt like their roundups simply were inaccurate because they don’t listen to Drake “that much.”
Well, sorry to burst your bubble, people: Drake has mastered the art of collaboration and marketing. He consistently releases music and makes sure that many of other fan-favorite artists are also in the booth with him.
This year saw his album For All The Dogs, which included artists that have extremely dedicated fanbases: Teezo Touchdown, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red and Lil Yachty. He’s found a way to flock multiple genres and fanbases into his music, causing people to forget that, at the end of the day, they’re streaming Drake’s music. All three of his top songs this year on Apple Music were collaborations, “Rich Flex” and “Spin Bout You” with 21 Savage and “WAIT FOR U” (feat. Drake and Tems) by Future.
According to Billboard, the 6 God has been Spotify’s top artist for three out of the nine years that Wrapped has existed: 2015, 2016 and 2018. In 2018, he had over 8 billion streams for the year. Looks like you all have been listening to him more than you like to admit! And how could we blame you...he has some catchy songs.
Though Taylor Swift snatched this year’s top spot for top artists globally on both Spotify and Apple Music (are we surprised?), Champagne Papi ended the year as the number four artist globally and number two in the United States.
Although people have had many issues with Drake’s personality throughout his career, the music is not often debated. He has the most singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and that’s not from making bad music. Whether or not you like his witty and oftentimes shady Instagram captions or his latest hairdos, it doesn’t matter. Because when it comes to music, Drake isn’t going anywhere.