Drake kept his run of new music going on Monday (July 20) by teaming up with UK rapper Headie One on a song called “Only You Freestyle.” While Drizzy’s drill flow was enough to talk about on its own, Twitter users couldn’t help but focus on his Arabic references.
“Arabic ting told me that I look like Youssef/Look like Hamza,” Drake raps in his opening verse.
“Youssef” and “Hamza” are common Arab names for men; Drake is saying that an Arab girl told him he looks Arab because of features like his beard, eyes and skin color. In the next line, Drake then goes on to rap in Arabic.
“Habibti please/أنا أكيد، إنت وأنا أحلى,” he says.
“Habibti” is Arabic for “My love” and “أنا أكيد، إنت وأنا أحلى” (pronounced “ana akeed, inti wa ana ahla”) is Arabic for “I’m certain you and I look better together.”
Twitter users reacted to Drake’s attempt at the Semitic language by posting memes, including photos of lookalikes and saying he learned Arabic for Rihanna.
This isn’t the first time Drake has included Arabic words in his lyrics. In 2018, he used the term “InshAllah,” which is Arabic for “God willing,” on his song “Diplomatic Immunity.” Going back even further, Drizzy said “Habibi” (also meaning “My love”) on his More Life track “Portland” in 2017.
In an Instagram post in 2015, Drake even noted his Arab features when he shared a photo with Arab Prince, HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum. Drake joked that he was his “long lost brother” in the caption of the photo, which was taken in Dubai.
Drake Seemingly Throws Shots At Pusha T & Kanye West On 'Only You Freestyle'
Drake’s Arabic line wasn’t the only big topic on “Only You Freestyle.” Drizzy appeared to take aim at Pusha T and Kanye West, suggesting Kanye has been hiding behind Push during their longtime feud.
“Shit you man been droppin’ lately/Don’t make me have to fly my iTunes,” Drake raps. “So much people buy into my hype / Don’t make me have to buy my hype too/Dealt with the big homie already/Don’t make me have to side-by-side you / Nuff times he tried to hide behind you/Amnesia but when I remind you/I’m touchin’ road and I can’t find you.”
Drake’s release with Headie One arrived just three days after he collaborated with DJ Khaled on “POPSTAR” and “Greece.” On the latter song, Drizzy also tried his hand at French, saying “je suis ton génie” (“I am your genie”) and “oui” (“yes”).
Check out more Twitter reactions to Drake speaking Arabic below.
Drake has ghostwriters from all over the world
Remember that he also did a song with Bad Bunny where he was rapping/singing in Spanish..
The burgers you are in charge of on the grill are burning! Put your phone away before your supervisor writes you up son
This guy calls himself “the real” then steps up to defend the corniest lame in music. LOL. Let me guess, “real”, you have a cosplay American accent where you use our slang and cadences, but you can also go fake British yardie, then fake Jamaican and switch it back to Arabic which you don’t speak? You corny motherfukcers need to hit up pop sites and stay away from hip-hop. It clearly isn’t your thing. LOL
Sorry to insult your industry kid – Clearly I struck a nerve. I won’t type “LOL” but im laughing. Its not all bad, I support your employer from time to time Luv when im smoked out and hungry. I’ll see your frustrated ass at the drive thru window
Damn “the real.” Butt hurt much? What is the equivalent of an Arby’s in your ice rink of a country? I’m guessing there is a moose for a logo. I found it interesting that you typed that you wouldn’t type LOL by typing LOL retard. We get it. Special needs etc. Stop projecting your garbage ass life on others. You are (maybe) a grown ass man who supports Drake. Hahahaha. Enough said.
One of the best rappers out, but his personality…just a corny, inauthentic dude switching from persona to persona on a mission to be liked…started out as an actor, still is.
He is not on any of the goats top 10 lists. He isn’t on any real hip hop fans top 50 either. You came of as the dork you are by calling him one of the best around. Maybe hit up a pop site or some shit. Teen choice is more your speed.
Drake is by far one of the corniest rappers of all time. Almost up there with Vanilla Ice. He got more respect when he was acting as the wheelchair guy in that show years back.
I still blame that druggie Little Wayne for unleashing this cornball pop rapper on the world
I just overheard my mom calling me a dud to her sister. I knew I was a simp, lazy, and stupid, but damn does It hurt when my mom tells her sister she should have swallowed me. Drakes success makes me feel even worse. I truly feel terrible watching his notorious run continue. No one will ever top his legacy and it breaks me daily!
Sure. Only emeinem has sold more records, and this javkass keeps claiming he has sold more than the Beatles yet has less money than ( other rappers on the richest list. All of these Gaynadians in the comments supporting this clown need to STFU
Everyone on here who don’t like Drake never sat down and actually listened to Drake. Just more cornball bandwagon shit like that Mumble rap shit. Erreybody wanna feel included.
Meenoo hal ibnil sharmoota? Arabic? Habibi mowet halak ba’a! Ahsalak tahesh zabra bil fighit balb teezak! Faqq outta here!
I wonder if his jooish brethren would approve of him rapping in Arabic.