Drake Reveals Aaliyah’s Influence on His Career

Since sampling Aaliyah on his debut album ‘Thank Me Later,’ it is evident that Drake is a huge fan. Last year he even wrote a letter to her on the ninth anniversary of her passing. This time around, in light of Aaliyah’s 32nd birthday that just passed, [SoulCulture] caught up with Drake while he was on tour in Manchester and he reveals what Miss Haughton meant to him and his career:

“Aaliyah has had probably the most impact on my career,” he states, “because when I made a choice to start singing it was because of something that my father had told me which was, ‘There’s no rapper out there that sings and raps and does both things well… and in order to be successful you’re gonna need something other than just what everyone else is doing’.

“I was rapping already at the time so I had an identity in rap, but when I started singing I needed something to reference. I needed someone to be like, ‘I wanna be like that’. I didn’t want it ever to be a male because then I would sound like that person, so I just found comfort in all of Aaliyah’s music and her melody choices and the things that she talks about – and how she always conveyed these amazing emotions but never got too sappy, she always kept it G.”

“She almost spoke from a guy’s perspective at points and she’d say things that were funny, things that were witty… I felt like that was the first time I could really sing a woman’s lyrics and not feel like I was singing a woman’s lyrics because she was speaking generally.”

He adds, “That had the biggest influence on my music because – as much as my music may be geared towards women – I try not to make it so that only women can sing it.

“I try to put pieces in where guys don’t feel uncomfortable singing a song about women… and I get that from Aaliyah.”

Before wishing Aaliyah a thankful happy birthday Drake concludes, “She taught me that there’s a certain way to make music so that it can be appreciated by a lot of people.

“Aside from that, she just made phenomenal music and she was beautiful and she was a girl that I fell in love with early in my life – I feel like if she was still here I would probably be pursuing her in a major way, you know, because I was truly in love with her very early on.”

Drake is one of the most successful artists in hip hop and R&B. His music career has spanned over a decade, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. While his success can be attributed to countless influences, there is one artist who stands out among all others: Aaliyah. The late singer’s influence on Drake’s career cannot be understated, as he recently revealed how much she impacted him.

Drake has been vocal about his admiration for Aaliyah since he first emerged into the music scene. He frequently references her in interviews and even named a mixtape after her – “Aaliyah”. In recent months, however, Drake opened up further and discussed just how deep his appreciation goes for the singer that passed away nearly 20 years ago. From her impact on his sound to her iconic fashion sense, it’s clear that Aaliyah was more than an idol to Drake; she was a mentor before an opportunity ever presented itself.

In this article we will explore Drake’s relationship with Aaliyah, his comments regarding their bond, and what inspired him to keep her spirit alive throughout his career. By looking at all these different aspects together we can gain insight into why Aaliyah still resonates so strongly with people today – especially those within the music industry like Drake himself.

Background On Aaliyah And Drake’s Relationship

Aaliyah and Drake were two of the biggest names in music before their tragic deaths. Aaliyah, an R&B superstar whose career was cut short by a plane crash in 2001, had already established herself as one of the most influential artists of her generation. On the other hand, Drake’s career had just begun to take off around that same time. Despite never having officially collaborated on any songs together, Aaliyah and Drake have been linked ever since his meteoric rise began.

Drake has repeatedly expressed admiration for Aaliyah over the years, citing her influence on his sound and style. He even named his debut album “Thank Me Later” after a line from one of her classic tracks “Try Again”. In interviews he often speaks fondly of how much impact she had on him when he was first starting out. This connection is also reflected in some of his more recent releases such as “After Dark” which samples another one of her hits “One In A Million”.

It is clear that there is still a strong bond between the two despite only being able to collaborate posthumously; it stands testament to how deeply they influenced each other musically and personally throughout their careers. Through both acknowledgments in interviews and musical tributes, Drake continues to pay homage to the legacy left behind by Aaliyah every chance he gets – thus making sure she will always be remembered in history through him.

Impact Of Aaliyah On Drake’s Career

Aaliyah and Drake’s bond has been a major influence on his career. Since the beginning, Drake has repeatedly looked to Aaliyah for inspiration in his work. In many of his songs he pays homage to her legacy by sampling some of her classic tracks such as “One In A Million” in “After Dark” or even naming his debut album after one of her lines from “Try Again”. He also often speaks fondly about her in interviews and acknowledges how much impact she had on him when he first started out.

It is clear that Aaliyah’s influence still resonates with Drake today – it can be seen through not only the music he makes but also in the way he carries himself both professionally and personally. Her memory serves as an important reminder to him that anything is possible if you put your heart into it; something which was made evident throughout her own successful career before its abrupt end.

Drake continues to carry on Aaliyah’s legacy every chance he gets, keeping alive the spirit she embodied during her short life and ensuring that she will never be forgotten. Through both acknowledgments in interviews and musical tributes, he honors her contribution to R&B music while simultaneously paving new paths for generations of artists yet come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Aaliyah and Drake’s relationship has been a strong influence on his career. Aaliyah not only inspired him musically but also motivated him to strive for greatness. Her legacy will forever be remembered through the music of Drake.

I personally think that it is commendable how much respect Drake had for Aaliyah and how she was able to inspire him in such powerful ways. It is clear that her impact still lives on today as he continues to make hits and pay homage to her memory with each song.

Overall, this article demonstrates the profound effect Aaliyah had on Drake’s life and career. She provided him with an invaluable amount of inspiration which he utilized to become one of the biggest names in hip-hop today. The significance of their relationship can’t be understated and should serve as an example for all aspiring artists looking for motivation from those who have come before them.

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