Drake Hints At Retirement In Lil Yachty Interview

Drake has admitted that he has been thinking of a “graceful exit” from rap, he tells Lil Yachty in a clip from a new interview. “I think I’m at the point now where I just wanna like — I feel like I’m kinda introducing the concept in my mind of a graceful exit,” he said in the first clip from their conversation shared on Thursday (February 23).

Drake hinted at retirement back on “Weston Road Flows” from his 2016 album Views. “It’s rainin’ money, Oklahoma City Thunder/The most successful rapper, 35 and under/ I’m assumin’ everybody’s 35 and under/That’s when I plan to retire, man, it’s already funded,” a then 29-year-old Drizzy rapped.

RELATED:Drake Confirms 'Her Loss' Completes Trilogy With 'CLB' & 'Honestly, Nevermind'

Even just last year, Drake spoke to Nicki on her podcast about retirement and was singing a completely different tune.

“I’m not at that point where I even consider that being an option,” Drake explained to Nicki back in August 2022. “One of the best feelings I have in my life is completing a song or project. And by the way, those things are painful as well. A lot of nerves, a lot of confidence wavering.”

“But I feel like I’m reaching a new level of fun. I’ve reached a new level of comfortability where I want to try things. Like this last album, I put out something I wanted to do to challenge myself.”

Last year alone, Drake dropped two No. 1 albums Honestly, Nevermind, and the 21 Savage collab project Her Loss. He says that the latter project is a classic. “[Her Loss] is one of the greatest albums I ever made in my life,” he declared. “I said the other day, I think this is a clear entry into my top five of my catalog — if not, top three.”

With the recent success of his last two albums, Drake is showing no signs of slowing down. Drake and Lil Yachty’s full conversation is to be released sometime Friday (Feb. 24).

Drake: 7 Songs You (Might) Not Have Known He's Written For Other Artists

• "Fall For Your Type" - Jaime Foxx

  Jamie Foxx’s “Fall For Your Type” is off of the singer/actor’s 2010 album Best Night of My Life. Drizzy is featured as a guest artist hit and written alongside Noah Shebib, and Noel Campbell. The track hit No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

• "Mine" - Beyoncé

  Beyoncé and Drake collabed on “Mine” which was released back in 2014 for her self-titled album. Drake, Beyoncé Knowles, Noah Shebib, Jordan Ullman, Sidney Brown, Dwane Weir are credited as songwriters on the track. Drake is also credited a songwriter for Beyoncé’s “Heated” off her album Renaissance.

• "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" - Alicia Keys

  “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” arrives on Alicia Keys’ fourth studio album The Element of Freedom. Drake is credited as a songwriter alongside Alicia Keys, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers and 40.Alicia and Drake also paired up along with Noah “40” Shebib, on Drake’s track “Fireworks” off his 2010 debut Thank Me Later.

• "I'm Single" - Lil Wayne

  Drake linked up with his Young Money boss Lil Wayne for his song “I’m Single.” The track appears on his ninth solo mixtape, No Ceilings, and his 2010 album I Am Not a Human Being. Drake is credited as a songwriter alongside Omen (Producer), Boi-1da, 40 & Lil Wayne.

• "R.I.P." - Rita Ora

  Rita Ora’s “R.I.P” also makes the list of songs you might not have known Drizzy has written. Drake is credited as a writer alongside Rita Ora, Tor Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Patrick Okogwu, Saul Milton, Farhad Samadzada, Renee Wisdom, Will Kennard. The track features Tinie Tempah and was the lead single off her 2012 album, Ora.

• "30 Hours" - Kanye

  Kanye spoke on Drake’s involvement on “30 Hours” to his since-deleted interview Drink Champs, “I gave him a line and he wrote the whole rap. I wish he wrote all my raps.” Drake is also credited as a songwriter for “Facts” and “Father Stretch My Hands” from Kanye’s seventh studio album Life of Pablo. Kanye, Pharrell Williams, Karriem Riggins, Mike Dean, Charles Arthur Russell, Cornell Haynes, Jason Epperson, Charles L. Brown, Isaac Hayes are also credited on “30 Hours.” The song samples the 1986 Arthur Russell song “Answers Me” and drums from the 1973 Isaac Hayes single “Joy.”

• “I’ve Been That Girl” – Melanie Fiona

  Growing up in Canada, Drake was a part of the collective called the The Renaissance which is where he met Melanie Fiona. The group ended splitting up but Drake co-wrote Grammy-winning singer Melanie Fiona’s “I’ve Been That Girl” which landed on her LP The MF Life. The album also featured a duet with John Legend and other featured artists such as J. Cole, T-Pain, and Nas.