“No Friends In The Industry” is the twelfth track on Drake’s 2021 album ‘Certified Lover Boy.’ In the song, Drake sings about being on his own in the music game, having no one whom he can call a friend besides his actual kin.
‘Certified Lover Boy’ is the highly-anticipated sixth studio album by Drake, released on September 3, 2021. Drake talked about the album in July; “we aim for that head. We don’t aim to please. Certified Lover Boy on the way. And that’s for anyone in the way.” This is his follow-up project to his 2018 album ‘Scorpion.’
The recent resurgence of the feud between Drake and Kanye West has sparked speculations that this song is directed at Ye. There are a few hints that might tie this song to Kanye.
Listen to “No Friends In The Industry” by Drake
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Drake “No Friends In The Industry” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Chorus
Drake starts off the song by saying that nobody outside his family circle is really his ‘bothers,’ although he might have used this term loosely with them. Now, he is cornered against a wall and he can see no friends around. He has to make tough decisions. He has to cut off ‘brothers’ who pretend to be brothers.
Drake has been tackling this topic throughout this album. He has opened up about how he feels as if all the people who surround him are there just to leech off of him–be it money, features, fame, or other favors. He sang that he ran out of favors some time back.
Verse 1
In the first verse, Drake says that he was once a young angel with pure intentions, but this industry eventually turned him into a devil.
Drake seems to be quite upset about the fact that some people consider him to be their equals and claim to know everything about him. But the truth is the furthest from this. Drake says these people are like his kids and shall be considered in such regard when comparing with him.
Why they always act like we can fix it with a meeting?
All that linking up, man, I’ma see ya when I see ya
These lyrics are most likely a jab at Kanye West who has been Tweeting about setting up a meeting with Drake since their fallout in 2018.
Drake seems to have run out of patience with Ye’s words and lack of actions following up.
Drake ends the first verse by saying that he has been winning for so long. This longevity translates to him having the golden touch. People use him to blow up in the game–either as a feature or by beefing with him. He gives us an example of how long he has been in the industry; “When I signed my first deal, that sh*t came through a fax.” It is unfortunate to see himself being a lone warrior after such a long career.
Verse 2
In the second verse, Drake says that he has little patience for all the people who mention his name just to gain clout. Instead of using his story as a source of motivation, these people mention his name for quick fame. The same happens with the likes of Kanye West and Eminem right now.
And all them tweets and all them posts
Ain’t got the type of time to be playin’ with you folk
These lines are most likely a jab at Kanye West. Ye is known for his long rants on Twitter about almost everything that bothers him. He has gone on back-to-back Tweeting sprees about Drake, his music, his record label agreement, and so on. Drake says he has no time to be replying to all this madness.
Drake sounds very serious about his desire to be left alone on his throne at the top of the music industry. Losing friends is a terrible thing. But it is definitely better than having fake friends in your camp.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.