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Culture

The Drake Effect

By Bronwen Jervis
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The Drake Effect
Photographs: Drake by Jess Baumung; Others by GettImages

The Drake Effect
Photographs: Drake by Jess Baumung; Others by Getty Images

The rap superstar has amassed a flock of musical disciples who guest on his albums, record on his label and perform at OVO Fest, his annual hip-hop blowout, which takes place this year on August 3 and 4. Here, a taxonomy of Drake’s most prolific protégés.


The Drake Effect: Boi-1da
THE HITMAKER

Boi-1da Known for his work on tracks like “Best I Ever Had” and “Headlines,” Boi-1da also produced Eminem’s hit “Not Afraid.”


The Drake Effect: J. Cole
THE ALLY

J. Cole After the blogosphere invented a false beef between the rappers, Drake offered to guest on Cole’s mixtape. The next year, Cole opened for Drake on tour.


The Drake Effect: Kendrick Lamar
The Frenemy

Kendrick Lamar Before making it big, Lamar guested on Drake’s record Take Care. Last year, Lamar called Drake out on his song “Control,” rapping that he was “tryna murder” him.


The Drake Effect: Future the Prince
The Impresario

Future the Prince Drake’s personal DJ and one of the main architects of OVO Fest, he’s also worked private parties for Jay-Z and Kanye West.


The Drake Effect: Jhene Aiko
THE INGENUE

Jhene Aiko The hip-hop dream girl is best known for her syrupy-sweet vocals on “From Time,” which she reprised with Drake on Saturday Night Live in January.


The Drake Effect: 40
THE MASTERMIND

40 Drake’s chief producer created the “Toronto sound”—Drake’s signature moody beats and backtracks. He’s also been working with Beyoncé, Nas and Usher.


The Drake Effect: The Weeknd
THE ENIGMA

The Weeknd In 2011, Drake stoked huge interest in the mysterious crooner by posting a handful of his songs on his blog and inviting him to perform at OVO Fest.


The Drake Effect: Sampha Sisay
THE SMOOTH OPERATOR

Sampha Sisay The singer met Drake at a Wrongbar gig in 2011. He added a soulful edge to Drake tracks like “Too Much,” and released an EP in 2013.


The Drake Effect: Mike Zombie
THE HYPE MAN

Mike Zombie Zombie created the wobbly house beats in “Started From the Bottom” and released a mixtape during OVO last December.


The Drake Effect: T-Minus
THE ENERGIZER

T-Minus Since producing tracks on Drake’s 2011 album Take Care, T-Minus has gone on to work with Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Ludacris.

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