The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z and Ty Dolla Sign as well as posthumous appearances from Michael Jackson and Static Major, and additional vocals by a variety of artists, including James Fauntleroy, PartyNextDoor, Nicki Minaj, Future and Nai Palm. The album is executively produced by Drake himself, alongside frequent collaborator Noah "40" Shebib and manager Oliver El-Khatib, and features production from 40, alongside a variety of producers, including No I.D., Boi-1da, DJ Premier, DJ Paul, T-Minus, Murda Beatz, Cardo and Noel Cadastre, among others.
It was supported by the singles "God's Plan", "Nice for What", "I'm Upset", "Don't Matter to Me" and "In My Feelings". The former two singles reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 prior to the album's release, and the fifth single reached the top spot of the chart after the album's release.
Survival
Drake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
All of this disorder, no addressin'
The crown is broken in pieces, but there's more in my possession
There's a whole lot in my possession
Who do you really love? Well, that's sure to be in question
My Mount Rushmore is me with four different expressions
Who's givin' out this much return on investment?
After my run, man, how is that even a question?
After this summer, man, how is that even a
I've had real Philly niggas try to write my endin'
Takin' shots with the G.O.A.T. and talked about shots that we sendin'
I've had scuffles with bad boys that wasn't pretendin'
I've had too many nights to mention, that's just the beginnin'
I'm pretty sure we got a label, I'm still independent
I fell back a hundred times when I don't get the credit
Seen this movie a hundred times, I know where it's headed
Realize someone gotta die when no one'll dead it
Niggas gamblin' with they life for some content
That's the type of lottery that could get your top picked
I am a cream-of-the-crop nigga
You niggas pop mollies, my Mali's pop niggas
House on both coasts, but I live on the charts
I have tea with the stars and I swim with the sharks
And I see in the dark, wasn't this cold at the start
Think my soul has been marked, there's a hole in my heart
Yeah, I was about to, man, I thought about it
It's unsettlin' to talk about it
Free all of my niggas that they caught with it
R.I.P. my niggas that they caught without it
This just the intro, let me not get ahead of myself
This is God's plan, young man, you said it yourself
Always got a ace up my sleeve for whatever was dealt
Daddy got suits like Bernie Mac, he dresses himself
I stopped askin' myself and I started feelin' myself
Now I gotta deal with all this drama and deal with myself
I ain't even have to cut the tie, it severed itself
This just the intro, let me not get ahead of myself
In Drake’s song “Survival,” he starts the intro by repeating the phrase "I’ve been waiting on this" and then delves into his current state of life. He talks about the chaos that surrounds him but remains the king of it all since he possess all the pieces of the broken crown. Drake questions who he can trust and who loves him for himself. He then compares himself to Mount Rushmore, implying that he is legendary and signifies monumental success from all angles. He continues by discussing his achievements and how he has invested in himself well enough to gain high returns. After his recent success, he believes his worth should not be a question. He has rubbed shoulders with people that everyone else admires tremendously, and he has succeeded to a point where he cannot be placed next to mere pop mollies.
Drake goes on to say that he has had people try to bring him down, even Philadelphia's biggest hustlers, but his success is undeniable. He has had brawls with famous individuals and has succeeded in the music industry without the help of a record label. Regardless of all his accomplishments, he struggles to receive the credit he deserves for his hard work. He realizes that many have gone through what he has, and he hopes that at some point, someone will finally come to the end of it.
Overall, “Survival” embodies Drake's never-ending battle with succeeding in the music industry and maintaining his authenticity. He speaks confidently in the lyrics but acknowledges his struggles with the people around him, dealing with fame, and living up to expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I been waitin' on this
I have been waiting for this moment to express myself
All of this disorder, no addressin'
There is chaos and confusion but no one is willing to deal with it
The crown is broken in pieces, but there's more in my possession
I may have been challenged, but I still have more to offer
There's a whole lot in my possession
I have many talents and skills that I bring to the table
Who do you really love? Well, that's sure to be in question
I question who my real supporters are and who truly loves me
My Mount Rushmore is me with four different expressions
I am a multifaceted individual and each aspect of myself is important
Who's givin' out this much return on investment?
I have given so much and wonder who is reciprocating
After my run, man, how is that even a question?
After all my accomplishments, how can anyone question my success?
After this summer, man, how is that even a
After all I have done this summer, how can anyone deny my greatness?
I've had real Philly niggas try to write my endin'
I have had people try to bring me down and end my career
Takin' shots with the G.O.A.T. and talked about shots that we sendin'
I have collaborated with the greatest of all time and have talked about the impact we will make
I've had scuffles with bad boys that wasn't pretendin'
I have had real conflicts with dangerous individuals
I've had too many nights to mention, that's just the beginnin'
I have been through so much, but it is only the start of my journey
I'm pretty sure we got a label, I'm still independent
I may have a label, but I still maintain my independence and creative control
I fell back a hundred times when I don't get the credit
I have fallen back many times even when I don't receive the recognition I deserve
Seen this movie a hundred times, I know where it's headed
I have experienced similar situations before and can predict the outcome
Realize someone gotta die when no one'll dead it
Realize that someone has to be sacrificed when no one else wants to resolve the issue
Niggas gamblin' with they life for some content
People are risking their lives for entertainment value or social media content
That's the type of lottery that could get your top picked
This type of risky behavior could result in losing everything or even death
I am a cream-of-the-crop nigga
I am the best of the best and a cut above the rest
You niggas pop mollies, my Mali's pop niggas
While others indulge in drugs, my weapons are more dangerous and effective
House on both coasts, but I live on the charts
I have success and wealth in both the East and West coast but am most defined by my chart achievements
I have tea with the stars and I swim with the sharks
I have the ability to network with the biggest names in entertainment and also navigate the dangerous and cutthroat nature of the industry
And I see in the dark, wasn't this cold at the start
I have a clear vision and am not blinded by the darkness that surrounds me
Think my soul has been marked, there's a hole in my heart
I think I have been destined for a greater purpose, but there is still a void in my life
Yeah, I was about to, man, I thought about it
I have considered dangerous actions but ultimately chose against them
It's unsettlin' to talk about it
It is difficult for me to discuss the possibility of violence or harm
Free all of my niggas that they caught with it
I hope all my friends who got caught up in negative situations will eventually be free
R.I.P. my niggas that they caught without it
I mourn and pay tribute to my deceased friends who didn't have the necessary means to protect themselves
This just the intro, let me not get ahead of myself
I know I have a lot more to come and must pace myself accordingly
This is God's plan, young man, you said it yourself
I believe that my success and achievements are part of a greater plan and purpose
Always got a ace up my sleeve for whatever was dealt
I am always prepared for any challenge that comes my way
Daddy got suits like Bernie Mac, he dresses himself
My father is fashionable and independent, like the late comedian Bernie Mac
I stopped askin' myself and I started feelin' myself
I stopped doubting myself and began to believe in my own abilities
Now I gotta deal with all this drama and deal with myself
I have to handle both external and internal issues at the same time
I ain't even have to cut the tie, it severed itself
I didn't have to burn any bridges, they simply fell apart on their own
This just the intro, let me not get ahead of myself
I know I have a lot more to come and must pace myself accordingly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aubrey Drake Graham, Ernest Dion Wilson, Klaus Netzle, Manuel Landy, Noah James Shebib
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dominique
on God's Plan
this is sweet i wish i was there
Vishwanath Ji
on Nice For What
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Sipho Selowa
on 0 To 100 The Catch Up
the album s dope
Aymoss MrPutit Mhiribidi
on Headlines
they kno