Talk Up
Drake Lyrics


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Ayy, ayy
Lot of 6's in here tonight
Yeah, yeah, ayy

Ten of us, we movin' as one (movin' as one)
I'm so proud of who I've become
You might think I've taken some lumps
Only if we talkin' 'bout sums (yeah)
Intentions are pure, they cannot tell me relax
My mentions are jokes, but they never give me the facts
This isn't that, can't be ignorin' the stats
Based off of that, they gotta run me the max
They gotta run me the max, they gotta double the racks
They had it set up for real, but they didn't come with the slaps
When I heard the shit I was skippin' through that
If I get it trippin', it's no comin' back
I don't understand, these niggas gotta adapt
You know where I'm at, I put the 6 on the map
Your shorty was bent, she wanted to vent
I promise it fell in my lap
My money is young, my problems are old
I promise I'm bridgin' the gap

You know what I'm sayin'? (Woo)
Ayy, ayy, yeah
You know what I'm sayin'?
(Gyeah, gyeah, gyeah, gyeah)

Niggas provoke, this shit ain't a joke, man, nobody playin'
He's at the top and he's at the top, but nobody stayin'
These niggas around but they ain't around
You know what I'm sayin'?
Say that they down, when they shit is down
You know what I'm sayin'?

Yeah, you know what I'm sayin'?
Ayy, ayy, yeah
You know what I'm sayin'?

Yo, get close enough to HOV, smell like a kilo still
First album 26, I ain't need no deal
Already a hood legend, I ain't need no shine
First Rollie flooded out, I ain't see no time, woah
Stand-up niggas, we only duckin' indictments
Dope boys, Off-White, lookin' like soft white on 'em, heh
You know what I'm sayin'?
We in the buildin', we came for a billion, ain't nobody playin'
Live every word that I'm rappin'
Said I lost 90 bricks and it happened
You probably wouldn't believe
Everything that you seein' right now if it wasn't live action
I ain't on the 'Gram, they record who I am
God to these dope boys, how you not be a HOV fan?
I'm what Meech shoulda been
I'm what Supreme didn't become
If Alpo didn't snitch, niggas'll be like Young
I got your president tweetin', I won't even meet with him
Y'all killed X, let Zimmerman live, streets is done

You know what I'm sayin'?




Ayy, ayy, yeah
You know what I'm sayin'?

Overall Meaning

In “Talk Up,” Drake raps about the individuals and groups surrounding him as well as his own impressive successes within the rap industry. Throughout the song, Drake’s pride in his accomplishments is evident, as he boasts about his wealth and his ability to bridge the gap between his early days in the industry to his current status as one of the most successful rappers in the game. Yet, Drake also acknowledges the complexities and dangers that come with fame and being in the public eye. The second verse of the song touches on police brutality and the murder of Trayvon Martin, as well as the controversial acquittal of George Zimmerman. Here, Drake is commenting on the ways in which justice is often not served in the United States, and how the deaths of young black men continue to spark outrage and protest in the country. Similarly, the chorus of the song sees Drake describing his own sense of caution and awareness when it comes to those around him. For Drake, it seems that he’s always cognizant of the fact that people can easily turn on him or betray him in the music industry, and that his success is always at the mercy of those who are involved with him.


Line by Line Meaning

Ayy, ayy
Drake's hype introduction to the song


Lot of 6's in here tonight
Referring to Toronto's area code where a lot of his fans are present in the venue


Ten of us, we movin' as one (movin' as one)
Drake and his crew are united and work together as a team


I'm so proud of who I've become
Drake reflects on his past success and growth in his music career


You might think I've taken some lumps
People may think he has experienced struggles in his career


Only if we talkin' 'bout sums (yeah)
The only struggles he has faced are financial challenges which he has overcome


Intentions are pure, they cannot tell me relax
Drake remains focused and persistent despite criticism from others


My mentions are jokes, but they never give me the facts
People may criticize him without knowing the whole story


This isn't that, can't be ignorin' the stats
Drake is aware of his success and stats in the music industry


Based off of that, they gotta run me the max
Because of his success, Drake wants to be paid the maximum amount for his work


They gotta run me the max, they gotta double the racks
Drake wants double the amount of money for his work


They had it set up for real, but they didn't come with the slaps
Others may have thought they had a great plan or idea, but it wasn't executed well


When I heard the shit I was skippin' through that
Drake quickly became disinterested in what others had to say


If I get it trippin', it's no comin' back
If he makes a mistake or missteps, it will be difficult to recover


I don't understand, these niggas gotta adapt
Drake is confused as to why others don't adapt to the ever-changing music industry


You know where I'm at, I put the 6 on the map
Drake represents Toronto and the impact he has had on its music scene


Your shorty was bent, she wanted to vent
Drake is referencing that he won over someone's girlfriend


I promise it fell in my lap
Drake implies that he didn't try hard to attract the girl, it happened by chance


My money is young, my problems are old
He may be becoming rich from his music career, but his life problems remain the same


I promise I'm bridgin' the gap
Drake promises to close the gap between the traditional and contemporary hip-hop audience


Niggas provoke, this shit ain't a joke, man, nobody playin'
Drake is making a serious statement and addressing those who test him


He's at the top and he's at the top, but nobody stayin'
Drake acknowledges his success and how others can't seem to stay on top for long


These niggas around but they ain't around
Others may be present, but not invested or committed to their success


Say that they down, when they shit is down
Others may claim to support him, but when they experience a setback they disappear


Yo, get close enough to HOV, smell like a kilo still
Drake is referencing Jay-Z and the drug references he used in his lyrics


First album 26, I ain't need no deal
Drake's first album was a success without needing a record deal


Already a hood legend, I ain't need no shine
Drake's talent and success spoke for itself, he didn't need external validation


First Rollie flooded out, I ain't see no time, woah
He purchased a luxury watch but didn't have to work extra hard to afford it


Stand-up niggas, we only duckin' indictments
Drake surrounds himself with trustworthy people and avoids any legal troubles


Dope boys, Off-White, lookin' like soft white on 'em, heh
He's referencing luxury fashion brand Off-White and comparing the clothes to drugs


We in the buildin', we came for a billion, ain't nobody playin'
Drake and his team have a goal to become Billionaires and they are serious about achieving it


Live every word that I'm rappin'
Drake puts in effort to ensure his lyrics are truthful and reflective of his experiences


Said I lost 90 bricks and it happened
Drake admits to experiencing a financial setback but bounced back from it


You probably wouldn't believe
Others might not expect or believe his success


Everything that you seein' right now if it wasn't live action
If it wasn't for social media or other modern means of promotion, people wouldn't know about his success


I ain't on the 'Gram, they record who I am
Drake doesn't rely solely on social media, but his reputation speaks for itself


God to these dope boys, how you not be a HOV fan?
Drake compares himself to Jay-Z and wonders how people can't appreciate HOV


I'm what Meech shoulda been
Drake reflects on his gangster image and sees himself as an example of success that other gangsters should have followed


I'm what Supreme didn't become
He compares himself to a street criminal who never achieved success like he did


If Alpo didn't snitch, niggas'll be like Young
If a notorious gangster had kept his mouth shut, he would have been as successful as Drake


I got your president tweetin', I won't even meet with him
Drake has the power to influence politicians but chooses not to engage with them, even the president


Y'all killed X, let Zimmerman live, streets is done
Drake comments on the injustice of killing young rapper XXXTentacion, but letting George Zimmerman, a man who killed a black teenager, live freely. This marks the end of any hope for the streets or street justice.


You know what I'm sayin'?
Drake reaffirms his points to the listener


Ayy, ayy, yeah
Drake ends the song with his signature ad-libs


You know what I'm sayin'?
Drake emphasizes his points to the listener




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aubrey Graham, Shawn Corey Carter, Paul Beauregard, Leroy Bonner, O'Shea Jackson, Andrew Noland, Gregory Webster, Andre Young, Marshall Jones, Walter Morisson, Ralph Middlebrooks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Dominique


on God's Plan

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on Nice For What

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on 0 To 100 The Catch Up

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on Headlines

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