Image via Getty/Jesse D. Garrabrant
The Raptors are champions, and Drake is following through on his promise to release new music in celebration of the hometown victory. Earlier this week, he replied to a Complex Instagram post about him needing to drop new music after a Raptors victory by commenting, "say less." Three days later, he announced that he'll be dropping two singles on Friday called "Money in the Grave" featuring Rick Ross and "Omertà." The pair of songs represent the first major releases from Drake in 2019, so they’ll set a tone for what’s to come from him the rest of the year. As we wait for the tracks to arrive (any minute now?) here are five things we hope Drake delivers on "Money in the Grave" and "Omertà."
"They said I was a curse, now they cursing each other out"
The potential for extremely Drake-y lines about the NBA is strong. He’s been prowling the sidelines all playoffs, and this is his chance to respond to everyone who has criticized his courtside antics or poked fun at "the Drake curse." During a live stream after the Raptors’ victory on Thursday night, he was so amped up that one-liners started flying out of him on accident. At one point, he even let this gem slip: "They said I was a curse, now they cursing each other out." Honestly, for an IG Live stream, that’s a bar. Who knows what he'll come up with on "Omertà." —Eric Skelton
Celebratory horns
Drake is at his best over triumphant, brassy production on songs like "Trophies." Sure, introspective Drake is cool, but there’s nothing better than hearing him rap about staying at the Intercontinental over celebratory horns from Hit-Boy. A Raptors championship is our best chance to hear the type of hyped, overzealous Drake who was once confident enough to rap about wearing all his chains at once (even when he's in the house). —Eric Skelton
Big boy cloth talk from Rick Ross
Rick Ross will be joining Drake on "Money in the Grave." And we need a beat that samples the score of The Godfather with Ross rapping like he just ate a bunch of wings under the stars in his Wraith on the way to the Grammys. We need big boy cloth talk from both of these guys. We need this song to sound like it was supposed to be on either Deeper Than Rap or Teflon Don, but was left off because they couldn’t clear a sample. With the Meek and Drake beef squashed, we need Ross to be in rare form. —Angel Diaz
Angry Drake
At this point, all we have to go on when it comes to the tone of these songs are the titles, but there are some clues: The definition for "Omertà" is "a Southern Italian code of silence and code of honor that places importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders." Could this be Drake's response to all the criticism (including a warning from the NBA) he’s received for being so vocal on the sidelines? Or is it a preview of an incoming "silence all the haters" type of song? Either way, it looks like we’re about to get the version of Drake who puts extra bass in his voice and snarls more than he sings. We’re about to get "Nonstop" Drake. The best Drake. Let's hope he brings the same spirit he's had in all these wild post-game interviews. —Eric Skelton
Bars for Steph Curry and Kevin Durant
Drake has a long history of rapping (and getting tattoos) about Oakland Warriors stars Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. So when his beloved Raptors faced the Warriors in the Finals, he was put in an awkward position and covered up his tattoos. But during the series, Drake’s interactions with his two favorite Warriors have been mixed. At one point, he yelled at Steph Curry on the sidelines and poked fun at him about his hair lint (“for sale on my eBay right now!!!!”) but then responded emotionally in the immediate aftermath of Kevin Durant’s injury. What’s a better opportunity than a post-championship song to draw a line in the sand and show where his true allegiances lie? What kind of energy are you going to keep, Drake? Looks like we might find out on “Omertà." —Eric Skelton