As Drake scores his seventh total chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with “Toosie Slide,” landing at the top, he has now become the first male artist — and second overall — to debut three songs at No. 1. However, many critics and fans wonder how Drake manages to be successful with overexposure.
Drake is one of the few rap stars left of the blog era of rap, which leaves him in a unique position to effortlessly navigate through incessant waves of the internet, particularly social media. This double audience, at its core, loves both hip hop and social media trends. He understands this and has used it to his advantage throughout his entire career.
He went from releasing singles via his blog like the rollout of his sophomore album, “Take Care,” to creating his own music festival (OVO Festival). He then started releasing diss tracks through multiple social media platforms, all while fulfilling the traditional roles of an artist signed to a major label.
His new single “Tootsie Slide,” of course, is no different. It follows the pattern of surprise drops online to have fans and critics alike questioning the methods of his madness.
Regardless of how spectators feel, the old saying by Oscar Wilde rings true: “The only worse thing about being talked about is not being talked about.” Drake, as the chatter, consistently leads him to more success. Plus, with viral culture and “God’s plan” (see what I did there?) — nothing can stop the Drake effect.
