The song and its accompanying dance are named after famed Atlanta choreographer Toosie, who on March 29—five days before the song’s release—posted a video of him, along with other dancers Hiii Key, Ayo & Teo, doing the dance, which later went viral.
In an interview with GQ a day before the song was released, Toosie spoke on how the song and it’s dance came about:
“[Drake] had a record idea and needed me to come up with a dance to it. Everybody was contributing little moves, and slowly but surely, we started piecing it together. He went back and finished the song after we sent him the dance. Then he called me, and he was like “Yo, everybody is in love with the dance. Everybody’s been doing it. We’re all calling it the Toosie Slide right now. It’s sticking and we might just call the song that.” Later on, he let me know he was officially going to name the song “Toosie Slide.” I was in shock. I couldn’t even believe it.”
The single is Drake’s first official release on all streaming platforms and third release overall in 2020, following the Future-assisted “Desires,” which was released in January, and “Chicago Freestyle” and “When to Say When”—both which were released four weeks prior to this song. “Toosie Slide,” along with the three other songs were later placed on Drake’s fifth mixtape, Dark Lane Demo Tapes.
Toosie Slide
Drake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buckles on the jacket, it's Alyx shit
Nike crossbody, got a piece in it
Got a dance, but it's really on some street shit
I'ma show you how to get it
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
Left foot up, right foot slide
Can't let this one slide, ayy
Don't you wanna dance with me? No?
I could dance like Michael Jackson
I could give you thug passion
It's a Thriller in the trap where we from
Baby, don't you want to dance with me? No?
I could dance like Michael Jackson
I could give you satisfaction
And you know we out here everyday with it
I'ma show you how to get it
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
Left foot up, right foot slide
Basically, I'm saying either way, we 'bout to slide, ayy
Can't let this one slide, ayy (who's bad?)
Two thousand shorties wanna tie the knot, ayy, yeah
Two hundred shooters on my brother's block, whoa, yeah
Petal off a rose like, I love her not, maybe not
I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't stop, whoa, yeah
Won't stop, whoa, yeah, never stop
Got so many opps, I be mistakin' opps for other opps
Got so many people that I love out of troubled spots
Other than the family I got, it's either you or me
That's just how I think, it's either you or me
This life got too deep for you, baby
Two or three of us about to creep where they stayin'
Black leather gloves, no sequins
Buckles on the jacket, it's Alyx shit
Nike crossbody, got a piece in it
Got a dance, but it's really on some street shit
I'ma show you how to get it
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
Left foot up, right foot slide
Basically, I'm sayin' either way, we 'bout to slide, ayy
Can't let this one slide, ayy (who's bad?)
Toosie slide, then I hit it double time
Then I hit a spin 'cause we spun their block a couple times
If it's not the right time, there'll always be another time
I'm not even trippin', we'll just see 'em in the summertime, whoa, yeah
Can't describe the pressure I be puttin' on myself, yeah
Really I just can't afford to lose nobody else, yeah
If they movin' shaky, we'll just do this shit ourselves, whoa
If I'm movin' shaky, Chubbs'll do this shit himself, yeah
Solo niggas, on they YOLO, for real
Heard a lot about you, but we don't know for real
Next time, guarantee the truth'll get revealed
Black leather gloves, no sequins, yeah
Buckles on the jacket, it's Alyx shit
Nike crossbody, got a piece in it
Got a dance, but it's really on some street shit
I'ma show you how
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
Left foot up, right foot slide
Basically, I'm saying either way, we 'bout to slide, ayy
Can't let this one slide, ayy
Don't you wanna dance with me? No?
I could dance like Michael Jackson (Jackson)
I could give you thug passion (passion)
It's a Thriller in the trap where we from (where we from)
Baby, don't you want to dance with me? No?
I could dance like Michael Jackson (Jackson)
I could give you satisfaction ('faction)
And you know we out here everyday with it
I'ma show you how to get it
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
Left foot up, right foot slide
Basically, I'm sayin' either way, we 'bout to slide
(Who's bad?)
Drake's song "Toosie Slide" is an upbeat and danceable track that has become popular on social media app TikTok. The lyrics of the song are largely focused on the rapper's fashion choices and his ability to dance, but they also incorporate references to his ties to street culture and the pressure he feels to succeed.
The first verse of the song describes Drake's outfit, which includes black leather gloves, a jacket with buckles from designer brand Alyx, and a Nike crossbody bag with a gun inside. He introduces a dance he's come up with, claiming it's "on some street shit" and proceeds to guide the listener through the steps. In the chorus, Drake emphasizes the importance of not letting the opportunity to dance with him pass by. He compares his moves to those of legendary pop artist Michael Jackson and promises to provide "thug passion."
The second verse begins with Drake bragging about the attention he gets from women and the firepower he and his associates are armed with. He then admits to his mixed feelings about romantic relationships before transitioning to his thoughts on the dangers of his lifestyle. Drake hypothesizes that anyone he associates with could be at risk of being harmed if they're not careful. Chorus two and the outro repeat the dance instructions and emphasize Drake's confidence and skill in his chosen fields.
Line by Line Meaning
Black leather gloves, no sequins
I'm dressed in black leather gloves without any shiny decorations
Buckles on the jacket, it's Alyx shit
My jacket has buckles on it and it's designer clothing by Alyx
Nike crossbody, got a piece in it
I'm wearing a Nike crossbody with a weapon in it
Got a dance, but it's really on some street shit
I have a dance routine, but it's inspired by the street culture
I'ma show you how to get it
I'll demonstrate how to do the dance
It go, right foot up, left foot slide
The dance moves involve lifting your right foot up and sliding your left foot to the side
Left foot up, right foot slide
The dance also involves lifting your left foot up and sliding your right foot to the side
Basically, I'm saying either way, we 'bout to slide, ayy
I'm saying that we're going to dance, no matter what
Can't let this one slide, ayy (who's bad?)
We can't miss this opportunity to dance and show off, who's the best?
Don't you wanna dance with me? No?
You don't want to dance with me?
I could dance like Michael Jackson
I'm a great dancer, like Michael Jackson
I could give you thug passion
I can show you my wild side
It's a Thriller in the trap where we from
Where I come from, the trap life is very similar to MJ's 'Thriller' music video
Baby, don't you want to dance with me? No?
Are you sure you don't want to dance with me?
I could dance like Michael Jackson
I'm really good at dancing, like Michael Jackson
I could give you satisfaction
I can make you happy
And you know we out here everyday with it
We practice this dance routine all the time
Two thousand shorties wanna tie the knot, ayy, yeah
I have many girls interested in me, wanting to settle down with me
Two hundred shooters on my brother's block, whoa, yeah
My brother's area has many armed gang members
Petal off a rose like, I love her her not, maybe not
I'm indecisive about love, like picking petals off a flower
I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't stop, whoa, yeah
I have problems controlling myself
Won't stop, whoa, yeah, never stop
I won't give up and keep going
Got so many opps, I be mistakin' opps for other opps
I have many enemies, and sometimes it's hard to identify one from another
Got so many people that I love out of troubled spots
I have many people dear to me that I've helped get out of tough situations
Other than the family I got, it's either you or me
Besides my immediate family, either you or I have to go
This life got too deep for you, baby
This lifestyle is too dangerous for you
Two or three of us about to creep where they stayin'
A few of us are going to approach and intimidate someone where they are
Toosie slide, then I hit it double time
I'll do the dance, then I'll show off by doing it faster
Then I hit a spin 'cause we spun their block a couple times
I'll show off by spinning while we make rounds around their area
If it's not the right time, there'll always be another time
If the opportunity is not available now, it will come again in the future
I'm not even trippin', we'll just see 'em in the summertime, whoa, yeah
I'm not worried about anything, we'll catch them later in the summer
Can't describe the pressure I be puttin' on myself, yeah
I can't express how much pressure I put on myself
Really I just can't afford to lose nobody else, yeah
I can't bear to lose anyone else
If they movin' shaky, we'll just do this shit ourselves, whoa
If they're unreliable, we'll take care of it on our own
If I'm movin' shaky, Chubbs'll do this shit himself, yeah
If I'm unreliable, Chubbs will take care of it
Solo, niggas on they YOLO for real
I'm alone, and my friends live by the 'You Only Live Once' philosophy
Heard a lot about you, but we don't know for real
We've heard a lot of rumors about you, but we don't know what's true
Next time, guarantee the truth'll get revealed
The truth will come out eventually
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Aubrey Graham, Ozan Yildirim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pressure225BX
Day 20 quarantine at drakes house... He still doesn’t know i’m here.
Edit: 20k likes! If only my music can get this much recognition 🙏🏻
@ruthlesskiwi6545
I’m there right now, how’d you get in.
@baked3895
Amateurs I’ve been here since summer....
@nme_13
I was hiding in the big ass piano in the video, y'all where are you?
@scarbz7128
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GonNzpr7PUo bump that she can actually sing
@swizzel4835
I've been under his bed for the last 3 weeks.
@shawn1091
0:57 LOOK AT THE HALO THAT RISES FROM THE JERSEY. R.I.P KOBE.
@KennyMoe7mile
Good find. That was dope
@zipozonkempumlwana7005
That was a good find.. Rip Goat
@deflexion3677
I didn’t get it