Miami rapper Yung Miami recently offered a candid look into her interactions with global music superstar Drake, revealing a past attempt to secure a feature on a song during a tumultuous period for the Canadian artist. In an interview on former NFL player Cam Newton’s YouTube show, Funky Fridays, Yung Miami discussed her efforts to get Drake to contribute to her track "Take Me to Chanel" in 2024, a time marked by Drake’s highly publicized rap feud with Kendrick Lamar and Metro Boomin.
A Past Attempt and Understanding During a Heated Feud
Yung Miami recounted her direct approach to Drake via direct message (DM) on social media, suggesting he would be a perfect fit for her song. She acknowledged that her outreach coincided with the intense and widely covered public dispute between Drake and Lamar, which dominated headlines and social media discourse throughout much of 2024. The feud, characterized by a series of diss tracks and retaliatory statements, created a highly charged atmosphere within the hip-hop community, influencing artists’ creative schedules and public engagements.
"I got a song called ‘Take Me to Chanel’ and I was trying to get him on the song," Yung Miami recalled, detailing her initial DM. She continued, "I remember DMing him, but that was at the time when he was going through all his sh—." Demonstrating a mature understanding of artistic and personal pressures, she added, "And when people going through they sh—, like, I get it, I understand." Despite Drake’s minimal response – he reportedly only “liked the message” – Yung Miami expressed her continued respect and comprehension of his situation. "But I DM’d him like, ‘Drake, I think you’ll sound good on ‘Take Me to Chanel.’ He just liked the message like come on, now, don’t do that! Drake, don’t do that now ‘cause when you called me I was there! But, nah, I f— with Drake, I understand." This exchange highlights the complexities artists face, balancing creative aspirations with personal circumstances and public pressures.
Appreciation for Drake’s Artistic Prowess
Beyond the specific collaboration attempt, Yung Miami expressed significant admiration for Drake’s artistry and his impact on the music landscape. She articulated her excitement for Drake’s latest projects, including what she referred to as ICEMAN, and his continued prominence in the rap genre. Her praise extended to his unique lyrical style and his ability to craft universally resonant music.
"I’m excited. I love Drake," she stated, elaborating on the qualities that make him stand out. "He’s so special that it’s like his music is like, ‘You gotta know to know.’ He’ll say some sh— and it’s like what made him… he’s clever." Yung Miami pointed to Drake’s meticulous approach to song construction, particularly his use of interludes and soundbites. "And I just love how he does his interludes. He’ll go and get a soundbite and blow it up, and he’s gonna show you love. It just be little things like that. And he just always got one. You can play Drake at a graduation, any function and you’re gonna feel good." This sentiment underscores Drake’s status as a consistent hitmaker capable of creating music that appeals to a broad audience and fits various social settings, a testament to his strategic understanding of music’s emotional and cultural impact.
The Breakthrough Moment: "In My Feelings" and City Girls’ Ascent
Yung Miami also reflected on the pivotal role Drake’s 2018 chart-topping single, "In My Feelings," played in the career trajectory of her duo, City Girls, which she formed with fellow rapper JT. The track, a monumental success that spent ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, featured vocal contributions from both Yung Miami and JT. This collaboration proved to be a significant breakthrough moment for the Miami-based rap duo, elevating their profile and introducing their distinct brand of hip-hop to a global audience.
"That was the breakthrough for the City Girls," Yung Miami asserted, emphasizing the magnitude of the opportunity. She vividly recalled the moment she and JT received the call about the potential collaboration. "I would never forget that phone call that we got like, ‘Drake wants y’all on his album.’" The timing of the offer, which coincided with April Fool’s Day, initially led them to believe it was a prank. "And it was like April Fool’s Day. This gotta be a joke," she admitted. However, the reality soon set in as they were invited to the studio to hear the track. "And it was like, ‘Nah, y’all gotta come to the studio, we gotta play the record.’ And we press play and it’s like Drake saying our names." The inclusion of their names within the lyrics of such a massive hit served as powerful validation and a significant boost to their burgeoning careers.
Context of the Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud (2024)
The rap beef involving Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin, and others in 2024 was one of the most intense and closely watched conflicts in recent hip-hop history. It began with subtle jabs and escalated into a series of direct diss tracks, each artist aiming to dismantle the other’s reputation and legacy.
- Early Stages: The conflict began to simmer with indirect references and perceived slights, notably on tracks by Metro Boomin and Future.
- Escalation: Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s "Like That" in March 2024 is widely considered the catalyst, explicitly calling out Drake and J. Cole and declaring the "big three" era over.
- Drake’s Response: Drake responded with "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle," the latter using AI-generated vocals of Tupac and Snoop Dogg.
- Lamar’s Dominance: Kendrick Lamar then released a barrage of highly impactful diss tracks, including "Euphoria," "6:16 in LA," and "Not Like Us," the latter of which became a viral sensation and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These tracks were praised for their lyrical dexterity, direct accusations, and cultural resonance.
- Metro Boomin’s Role: As a producer and artist, Metro Boomin was a key player, often collaborating with Lamar and other artists critical of Drake. His involvement added another layer of industry weight to the conflict.
- Impact: The feud generated immense social media engagement, speculation, and debate among fans and critics alike, dominating music news cycles for months. It also led to significant shifts in streaming numbers and chart performance for the artists involved.
Yung Miami’s attempt to connect with Drake during this period, therefore, occurred at a time of immense professional and personal pressure for him, making his limited engagement understandable.
"In My Feelings": A Chart-Topping Phenomenon and Career Catalyst
Drake’s "In My Feelings" was released in July 2018 as part of his album Scorpion. The song quickly became a global phenomenon, driven by its catchy hook, danceable beat, and, crucially, the viral "In My Feelings" challenge. This dance challenge, popularized by social media influencer Shiggy, saw people performing a choreographed routine to the song, leading to widespread participation across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The challenge’s immense popularity propelled "In My Feelings" to unprecedented heights on the charts:
- Billboard Hot 100: The song debuted at No. 6 and then climbed to No. 1, where it remained for ten consecutive weeks, marking Drake’s longest run at the top of the chart at the time. It was also the longest-reigning rap song at No. 1 on the Hot 100 by a lead artist.
- Global Impact: "In My Feelings" topped charts in numerous countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and Ireland, solidifying its status as a worldwide hit.
- Cultural Significance: The song and its accompanying challenge became a significant cultural moment in 2018, transcending the music industry and influencing popular culture.
For City Girls, being featured on such a massive track was instrumental in their career development. It exposed them to a much larger audience than they had previously reached, significantly increasing their visibility and fan base. Their unique sound and confident delivery on the track stood out, leading many listeners to discover their own music. The success of "In My Feelings" provided City Girls with a substantial platform from which to launch their subsequent projects and solidify their position as prominent figures in contemporary hip-hop.
Broader Implications and Artist Collaboration
Yung Miami’s narrative underscores the intricate dynamics of artist collaboration in the modern music industry. While social media has democratized access to artists, the reality of their schedules, creative processes, and personal lives often presents barriers. Drake’s situation in 2024, embroiled in a highly public and demanding rap battle, illustrates how external pressures can impact even the most straightforward requests for artistic input.
The success of "In My Feelings" also highlights the power of strategic features and viral trends in boosting an artist’s career. For Yung Miami and JT, their inclusion on the track was not just a guest spot; it was a carefully orchestrated moment that leveraged Drake’s massive platform to introduce City Girls to a mainstream audience. This symbiotic relationship, where established artists can elevate emerging talent while benefiting from fresh perspectives, remains a cornerstone of the music industry’s ecosystem.
Furthermore, Yung Miami’s comments about Drake’s artistic qualities—his cleverness, his use of soundbites, and his ability to create universally feel-good music—provide a brief analysis of what makes him a consistent force. His meticulous attention to detail in song construction, from interludes to lyrical content, contributes to his enduring appeal and his capacity to connect with diverse audiences across various life events. This nuanced appreciation of Drake’s craft, shared by Yung Miami, offers insight into the respect he commands within the industry, irrespective of any specific professional interactions. The interview, captured in full on Newton’s Funky Fridays YouTube channel, provides a valuable glimpse into the professional relationships and creative considerations of today’s leading hip-hop artists.
