The trailer Drake released for his 2013 album, Nothing Was The Same, featured the Hit-Boy-produced “Trophies” playing in the background, but the song did not make the album. After teasing its release, the selection surfaced on the web in December. Hit-Boy says he was more than frustrated with the track’s rollout.
“Frustration is an understatement,” Hit-Boy says in an interview with Stashed TV. “But it’s love. I got respect for Drake. He knows what’s best for him. He’s been dictating his career since Day One. So I’m not going to come in and be like, ‘You gotta use this song.'”
While he notes frustration with the manner in which the song was released, Hit-Boy says he was also treated well by Drake when they were collaborating.
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“Amazing,” Hit-Boy says. “We went up to Toronto and just kicked it. It was a fam vibe. [Drake] made sure we were straight, to say the least…It was a dope time.”
While Drake decided not to use “Trophies” for his album, Hit-Boy says he feels Drake’s Nothing Was The Same included several noteworthy selections.
“He had ‘Worst Behavior’ and some other joints that was smacking and now it’s time for ‘Trophies’ to tear these niggas apart,” Hit-Boy says. “I’m just happy it’s out. The new flows on that shit. The new timing with the horn. We changin’ it up. It ain’t the same.”
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Hit-Boy Says Dr. Dre Passed On “Alert” Beat
While he was able to work with Drake, his unrealized collaboration with Dr. Dre has resulted in one of Hit-Boy’s most recent hits, “Alert.” “You ain’t felt this shit since The Chronic,” the song’s chorus says, referencing Dr. Dre’s 1992 album. “New king of this beat shit. I’m the hardest.”
But the song wasn’t always meant to be Hit-Boy’s.
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“I made that song trying to give it to Dr. Dre,” Hit-Boy says. “He came in. He really liked it, but I guess it wasn’t fitting where he was at right now. I felt like it was an urgent song…[Nipsey Hussle and I] made the song and a week later it was on the radio.”
While he did not get to have Dr. Dre work on “Alert,” Hit-Boy says he has recently been able to collaborate with Nas, J. Cole, Big Sean, Jill Scott and Problem, among others.
