This summer marks a period of discontent for Drake. Despite the efforts of his devoted fans to put a positive spin on things, the Canadian artist has come out of his feud with Kendrick Lamar feeling battered and bruised, and there's a lingering impression that he no longer holds the reins of his own story.
His recent trip to the UK for a weekend takeover at Wireless was meant to create a secure environment, but the choice to fly in a plane full of influencers annoyed local media, resulting in rather tepid reviews.
Still, the curatorship of the event was impressive, highlighted by a memorable moment: Central Cee leading the crowd in singing the lyrics to their then-unreleased collaboration.
This week, Drake has teased the release of the single as part of a wider promotion for ICE MAN, even making a trip to Manchester for a video shoot at Victoria Baths.
Released now, ‘Which One’ fails to address some essential questions. It represents Drake's ongoing fascination with British culture—so much so that one night at Wireless was referred to as “the mandem”—yet it feels somewhat superficial, with production that revisits a club sound he has already explored on his 2022 album ‘Honestly, Nevermind’.
The lyrics swing from clever to rather unsettling—“Put your head inna the pillow, face first”—and while the overall vibe aims for triumph, cracks in the facade reveal hints of self-doubt.
The line “Trust me, this is how the single should sound” reflects someone grappling with creative insecurities, while the chant “You want friends or success, which one?” suggests deep internal conflicts and a significant distrust of those around him.
However, that’s delving into therapy territory. ‘Which One’ has its moments of fun but doesn't reach the heights one would expect from Drake. Central Cee’s feature contributes to his ascent in North America during this period of shifting trans-Atlantic rap dynamics—his presence is likely to benefit him, and the playful Chinese food and Spice Girls reference (“I got a chopstick for your wonton / Tell me what you want, what you really, really want…”) adds humor.
With an unexpected (and somewhat unnecessary) interpolation of Rihanna’s ‘Work’, ‘Which One’ avoids tackling the more significant criticisms aimed at Drake.
Rating: 6/10
Words: Robin Murray
Our fantastic summer magazine also includes features on Shame, Kae Tempest, Indigo De Souza, Black Honey, and many others.
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This summer marks a period of dissatisfaction for Drake. Regardless of how fervently his loyal fans try to portray it otherwise, the Canadian artist has come out of his conflict with Kendrick feeling wounded and shaken.