Drake’s New Album Gets Love From Kanye West & Young Thug Amid Chart Success
Drake’s latest project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, has made a huge impact since its release, sparking reactions from fans, critics, and even some of his industry peers. Among those showing love? None other than Kanye West and Young Thug, both of whom took to social media to praise the album’s success.
Kanye West Co-Signs “Gimme a Hug”
Despite a history of tension between the two rap titans, Kanye West gave Drake an unexpected nod of approval over the weekend. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ye shared his thoughts on the standout track “Gimme a Hug,” calling it “incredible” and adding a “sheeeeesh” for emphasis. His tweet also included a retweet of Chart Data, highlighting the song’s rise to No. 1 on Apple Music’s U.S. chart.
The acknowledgment comes just weeks after Ye referred to Drake as his “nemesis,” making this moment of praise all the more surprising. While the two have had a turbulent relationship, ranging from diss tracks to reconciliations, this latest endorsement signals a possible shift in their dynamic.
Young Thug Celebrates Drake’s Chart Victory
Young Thug, a longtime collaborator and supporter of Drake, also chimed in to celebrate the album’s early success. The Atlanta rapper took to social media, writing: “That boy back number one 🐐”—a clear recognition of Drake’s dominance in the rap game.
Thugger and Drake have a long history of working together, with past collaborations like “Oh U Went” and “D4L” (with Future) proving their chemistry. His excitement over the album’s performance only reinforces Drake’s place at the top of the game.
Mixed Reviews But Major Streaming Wins
While $ome $exy $ongs 4 U has been met with mixed critical reception, particularly regarding its lengthy runtime and lack of cohesion, it’s been a massive streaming success.
- On Spotify, the album racked up 56.6 million first-day streams, the second-biggest debut of the year—only behind The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow.
- Over on Apple Music, the project broke the all-time record for most single-day streams for an R&B album.
- Additionally, Drake temporarily overtook Kendrick Lamar for the most single-day Spotify streams by a rapper in 2025, with 92.4 million total plays.
Despite the divided opinions on the album’s artistic direction, Drake’s commercial pull remains undeniable.
Drake References Beef With Kendrick Lamar
Beyond the album’s success, Drake also appears to take aim at Kendrick Lamar in the song “Gimme a Hug.” In his opening verse, he raps:
“Drake elimination, fake intimidation / Take a minute, take a deep breath, have a little bit of patience / ‘Drizzy, you amazing, you the inspiration / You set the bar for the next generation.’”
Later in the track, he hints at the tensions surrounding his dominance in hip-hop, implying that his rivals thrive off his downfall:
“Funny how it’s only btch n-ggas that are waiting on The Boy’s obituary / ‘Cause if I die, it’s these n-ggas that become the sole beneficiary.”*
While he doesn’t mention Kendrick by name, the references to rivalry and industry politics have sparked speculation among fans that the bars are aimed at K.Dot.
Drake continues to command attention in the music industry, whether through his record-breaking numbers, celebrity co-signs, or lyrical shots at rivals. With $ome $exy $ongs 4 U making waves on the charts and stirring up conversation, it’s clear that Drizzy isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
