8 Drake Songwriting Secrets NOBODY Tells You About

When it comes to writing chart-topping hits, few artists can rival the consistency and success of Toronto’s own, Drake. Regardless of whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no denying that the man knows how to create infectious tunes that dominate the airwaves. ------------------------------------ How To Write Hit Songs Like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Others (FREE BONUS COURSE ON THIS PAGE): ------------------------------------ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 0:38 Drake Songwriting Secret #1: The Chorus-First Approach 1:58 Drake Songwriting Secret #2: Shorter Verses, Longer Hooks 2:54 Rap Songwriting Masterclass 3:15 Drake Songwriting Secret #3: Sample as Riffs 4:35 Drake Songwriting Secret #4: Begin with the Bridge 5:47 Drake Songwriting Secret #5: Turning Ad-Libs into Musical “Beds” 6:36 Drake Songwriting Secret #6: Making What You Want to Hear 7:36 Drake Songwriting Secret #7: Choosing Instrumentals That Sound Like Your Hometown 9:05 Drake Songwriting #8: Recording Before Overthinking ------------------------------------ Drake has mastered the art of hooking listeners from the get-go with a chorus-first mentality. Likely stemming from the seismic shift in song structure in the early 2000’s that occurred roughly around the time that artists like 50 Cent and Kanye West began to utilize classic song formatting such as double-sided choruses and bridges, Drake very often makes sure to begin the entire track with an epic, memorable chorus before ever dropping a bar. Many of his smash hits, such as “Hotline Bling” “In My Feelings” and “Started From The Bottom” kick off with a catchy chorus right after a brief instrumental intro. This pattern also extends to his notable feature tracks like “Look Alive” “Walk It Talk It” and “Life Is Good” By starting with a strong chorus, Drake immediately grabs his audience’s attention and lays the groundwork for a memorable song. Drake understands the power of catchy melodies and strategically shortens his verses to arrive at the chorus more quickly. In songs like “Controlla” and “One Dance,” he opts for four-bar verses followed by an eight-bar chorus. The key is finding the perfect balance between lyrical content and memorable hooks to appeal to various listener preferences. The OVO kingpin has a deep understanding of the power of catchy melodies, and he’s never afraid to flex the skill of making the catchiest part the majority of the song’s runtime. One strategic move he often employs is shortening his verses to arrive at the chorus more quickly. After all, what’s better than getting straight to the good stuff? In tracks like “Controlla” and “One Dance” Drizzy opts for a tight, focused structure: four-bar verses followed by an eight-bar chorus. This approach keeps listeners engaged, making them want to hit that repeat button over and over again. The key to this strategy is finding the perfect balance between lyrical content and memorable hooks, satisfying the cravings of different listener preferences. Drake’s ability to create infectious melodies is no accident. He knows what his fans want and delivers it in spades. By intentionally crafting shorter verses and leaning into those irresistible choruses, he ensures that his music stays on heavy rotation. Drake, the mastermind behind some of the catchiest tunes in recent memory, has another secret weapon up his sleeve: his uncanny ability to select samples that stick in your head just as much as his own lyrics. There’s no denying that Drizzy often has an ear for the perfect sample, and he uses it to add another dimension to his already infectious tracks. Take a moment to reminisce about some of Drake’s biggest hits, like “One Dance” “In My Feelings” “Nice For What” and “Nonstop” What do they all have in common? They all feature prominent vocal samples that serve as additional hooks throughout the song. These samples, akin to a riff in rock music, add an extra layer of catchiness that makes the tracks impossible to forget.