When Drake first came on the scene, I’ll admit—I didn’t know what to make of him. A Canadian rapper who used to be on “Degrassi”? Sounded more like a punchline than a blueprint. But over time, that man earned his stripes. Drake didn’t just break into the industry—he reshaped it. He blurred the lines between R&B and hip-hop in a way we hadn’t seen since the heyday of artists like Lauryn Hill and André 3000.
Now, if you grew up with Marvin Gaye in the vinyl crate and Tupac in the tape deck, Drake might’ve taken a minute to grow on you. But it’s undeniable—his sound, his storytelling, and his way of capturing the moment made him a force in modern Black music. Love him or side-eye him, you gotta respect what he’s built. Every era since the late 2000s has had a Drake anthem in heavy rotation—at the cookout, in the whip, or blasted through your Bluetooth speaker while cleaning on a Saturday morning.
This list right here is for the folks who’ve been riding with Drake, folks just getting hip, and those somewhere in between. Whether you first heard him singing to somebody’s girl or rapping like he had something to prove, these ten tracks left a mark. And before we count them down, let’s give a quick nod to some cuts that almost made it. You can’t talk about Drake without mentioning tracks like “Way 2 Sexy,” “Jimmy Cooks,” “Toosie Slide,” “Nonstop,” “Fake Love,” “Jumpman,” “Energy,” “All Me,” “Headlines,” “Take Care,” “Forever,” “Fancy,” “Successful,” “Nice For What,” “Over,” “Rich Baby Daddy,” and “Know Yourself.” Classics in their own right—but not quite top ten material for this particular list.
Alright, let’s get into it.
10. God’s Plan
Album: Scary Hours (EP) / Scorpion (2018)
This one’s more than just a song—it’s a moment. The beat hits like a calm wave, but the lyrics carry weight. “God’s Plan” was Drake at his peak—generous, introspective, and on top of the charts. The video alone made folks teary-eyed, watching him give away almost a million dollars to folks in need. Say what you want, but that moved people. It showed Drake blending fame with humanity—and musically, it’s catchy without being corny. This track had grandmas, uncles, and little cousins all nodding their heads.
9. In My Feelings
Album: Scorpion (2018)
This one had the streets, the internet, and the aunties all on fire. Blame the viral #InMyFeelingsChallenge, but let’s be honest—the song slapped even without the dance. The New Orleans bounce influence gave it flavor, and the “Kiki, do you love me?” line was everywhere. DJs from Brooklyn to Baton Rouge were running this back-to-back all summer ’18. And Black Twitter? They carried this one like family reunion tupperware.
8. Back To Back
Album: Single (2015)
If you know, you know. This wasn’t just a diss track. It was a cultural moment. Drake took a beef that could’ve gone left and made it into a Billboard hit. Before Drake’s “Back To Back,” who else you know making diss records you can two-step to? It was slick, sharp, and petty in the best way. “Is that a world tour or your girl’s tour?” Come on now. That bar alone had grown men reconsidering their whole rap careers. This was battle rap meets brunch music, and it worked.
7. Hold On, We’re Going Home
Album: Nothing Was the Same (2013)
If Prince, Sade, and 1980s synth-funk had a lovechild, it would sound like this. Drake leaned deep into R&B with this one, and it paid off. This track had soul, smoothness, and just enough ache to make you text someone you probably shouldn’t have. The hook, the instrumentation, the retro feel—it’s the type of song that reminds you Drake’s not just a rapper. He’s a vibe artist. This one gets played during late-night drives and grown folks’ nights in.
6. Find Your Love
Album: Thank Me Later (2010)
Back when folks were still asking if Drake could really sing, he dropped this gem. Produced by Kanye West, “Find Your Love” gave us that sweet spot between vulnerability and groove. It didn’t sound like anything else on the radio at the time, and that’s what made it bold. If you were in your feelings—or trying to get somebody back—this one hit hard. A true R&B-rap fusion that pushed the envelope.
5. One Dance
Album: Views (2016)
This was Drake embracing his global influence. “One Dance” wasn’t just a hit—it was a takeover. The Afrobeat and dancehall vibes connected with listeners across borders, and the rhythm made it impossible not to move. It broke streaming records for a reason. You could hear this at African weddings, Jamaican cookouts, and L.A. rooftop parties all the same. It was a love letter to diaspora sound and a reminder that Drake knows how to keep the world on its feet.
4. The Motto
Album: Take Care (Deluxe) (2011)
“YOLO.” One little acronym—and Drake made it into a whole lifestyle. “The Motto” was pure energy. He and Lil Wayne traded bars like seasoned pros, and the West Coast influence gave it that Cali cruise vibe. If you ever rode down Crenshaw with your windows down and this playing, you felt alive. This wasn’t just a banger—it was an attitude. Young folks were yelling “YOLO,” but us older heads knew the message was deeper than that: live while you can.
3. Best I Ever Had
Album: So Far Gone (2009)
This is the one that started it all. The debut single that had everybody asking, “Who is this kid singing and rapping at the same time?” Smooth, melodic, and emotional without being soft, “Best I Ever Had” introduced a new kind of hip-hop artist. Drake didn’t come through acting like a thug—he came through telling his truth. And for many of us, that truth sounded real familiar. This was the beginning of a new era.
2. Hotline Bling
Album: Views (2016)
The memes, the dance, the lighting—everything about “Hotline Bling” was made to go viral. But beyond the jokes, the song itself was catchy as hell. The beat had that weird retro feel, like it came from a video game and a Miami club at the same time. And those lyrics? Relatable. That feeling of someone changing up on you after success? We’ve all been there. Drake hit a nerve, and the world responded.
1. Started From The Bottom
Album: Nothing Was the Same (2013)
The anthem. The statement. The one that shut the doubters up. “Started From The Bottom” was Drake saying, “Y’all don’t know what I’ve been through.” Even if his “bottom” wasn’t like everybody else’s, the sentiment was real. It became a rallying cry—not just for him, but for anyone building something from scratch. The beat is haunting, the delivery cold, and the message crystal clear. No flex. Just facts.
Drake’s catalog is deep, and depending on your mood, you might have a different top ten. Maybe you like the softer joints. Maybe you lean into the bars. Either way, the man has range—and he’s left a permanent imprint on soul-infused rap and R&B.
What makes these songs iconic isn’t just chart success. It’s the memories tied to them. The moments. The way they slipped into our lives and soundtracked our joys, heartbreaks, nights out, and rides home. For a generation (or three), Drake’s music has been a constant companion.
Let me know what you think about this list. How many of your favorites made this list? Drop it in the comments and tag a friend who enjoys topics like this! Let’s keep the conversation going. Music is meant to be shared, discussed, and felt—and there’s no artist quite like Drake when it comes to giving us something to feel.
And, there you have it!
Leave a Reply