Talk Up
by Drake (featuring Jay-Z)

Album: Scorpion (2018)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features both Drake and Jay-Z talking up their places on top of the rap game. Both artists boast about being proud of how they've overcome various obstacles in order to reach the pinnacle of their profession.
  • Jay's verse seems to have been recorded late in the day as in last two bars of his verse he references XXXTentacion's death. The singer/rapper was shot and killed in a robbery on June 18, 2018 and Scorpion was released eleven days later.

    Y'all killed X and let Zimmerman live
    Streets is done


    Jay-Z executive produced a six-part documentary series about the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. The 17-year old high school student was fatally shot by neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman, who was later acquitted of all charges. Here, Jay-Z expresses his displeasure with XXXTentacion's death while George Zimmerman remains free.

    Hova previously referenced Zimmerman during his verse on DJ Khaled's "Top Off."
  • This is the fifth time that the pair of rap behemoths have worked together. Their previous collaborations were Jay-Z's 2009 song "Off That," plus Drake's "Light Up," "Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2" and the single version of "Pop Style."
  • DJ Paul's classic southern production samples in the background the chorus of N.W.A.'s debut single "Dopeman." Three 6 Mafia founding member DJ Paul and Drake's father both share the same attorney, while he is a neighbor of Drake's mom. Infact, this collaboration came about after DJ Paul ran into Sandi Graham while going for a walk. He recalled to TMZ.com:

    "She told Drake, she was like, 'I met this really nice guy named DJ Paul.' And I've been knowing Drake forever, but out of sight, out of mind, he probably thought about it like 'Goddamn, Paul do have some hardass beats!'"

    "Me and Drake been talking about getting together forever, but we never did," he continued. "He probably thought about it like, 'Damn, I should hit up Paul.' And then he hit me up on Instagram [at] 4 in the morning."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.