Finesse

Album: Scorpion (2018)
Charted: 42
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Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Drake giving props to an unknown woman who he is constantly thinking about.

    I want my baby to have your eyes

    Drake would have rather had a child with this woman than Sophie Brussaux - the mother of his son, Adonis.
  • Drake and Bella Hadid first raised speculation when they were seen leaving a club together in June 2017. Four months later, the OVO rapper threw the model a 21st birthday adding to internet conjecture that they were in a relationship. Though, neither person has every addressed their supposed fling directly, many believe it is Bella Hadid that Drake is addressing on this song. This is supported by some lines in the first verse, where Drake seems to be talking about New York's spring/summer fashion week, which Hahid took part in during September 2017.

    I'm going against my own advice
    Should I do New York I can't decide
    Fashion week is more your thing than mine


    Later, in the second verse, Drake seems to drop further clues by potentially mentioning Bella's sister, Gigi Hadid.

    You and your sister
    Too hot to handle


    Following the release of Scorpion, Bella Hadid quickly took to Twitter to slam the speculation that Drake is singing about her in "Finesse", writing, "Not me!!! that's disrespectful. WHY CANT PPL BE FRIENDS W/o all the insinuation."

    However, Drake never actually talks in the track about being in a relationship with the subject of the song. He's only suggesting that he'd like to date her.

    Things will get canceled
    I would make time for you
  • The song features background vocals by James Fauntleroy, who also co-wrote the track. He is also credited as a backup vocalist on Scorpion closer "March 14." The frequent Justin Timberlake collaborator notably won the 2014 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for co-writing "Pusher Love Girl." Later, Fauntleroy co-wrote seven tracks on Bruno Mars' third studio album 24K Magic, including the 2017 Grammy Song of the Year "That's What I Like ."

    Fauntleroy has previously linked up with Drake on two occasions, the OVO leader's 2013 cut "Girls Love Beyoncé" and the Timbaland collaboration "Know Bout Me" from the same year.
  • Noel Cadastre, Drake's longtime engineer, crafted the beat. He also helmed the Scorpion tracks "Jaded" and "That's How You Feel."

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