By YRS Jerzy
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Baaack… to baaack…, but this is the three-peat, huh? The past couple of years in hip hop have belonged to Drake, but this year was special. It looked like he would top 2015 off with Views From The 6, but he didn’t even need that.
Early in the year, Drake still faced the same stigma and even beef from his label-mate, Tyga, and newfound ally, Chris Brown. This time around, Drake must have read up on the art of war. Not only did he silence that situation, he may have ended a career.
The year of 2015 ended with Drake no longer being called “soft.” On the flipside, Drake changed the game with If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late, his surprise mixtape/album. His new project changed the game and made people wonder if he did it to get out of his Cash Money deal.
As the summer approached, Drake did his part in helping Meek Mill, doing a track on his album. For his effort, Drake found himself dissed by Meek Mill in one of his typical Twitter rants. Safe to say, Meek Mill made a major mistake for going at Drake in that manner, as he lit him up with “Charged Up” and “Back To Back,” also stopping the rising single, “All Eyes on You,” from Meek Mill from rising, ironically featuring Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown.
While Drake may have stopped one career, he definitely gave another career a boost. In 2014, Future did not exactly fall off, but both he and his core fans were disappointed in his effort and he promised better in 2015. Drake committed himself to helping Future accomplish his goals, doing What A Time To Be Alive, the joint mixtape, together to much success.
Some argued that Future may be the Artist of the Year, but in our book, his success with Drake cemented the Toronto emcee’s third straight title with Hip Hop Vibe. During every facet of the year of 2015, Drake dominated in one way or another. Along the way, he even boosted the name of one of the top rappers in the game, already.
Watch “Energy” by Drake below:
Watch “Hotline Bling” by Drake below:
Follow YRS Jerzy on Twitter @IAMYRSJERZY.
