10 Drake Songs That Prove His Legacy in Hip-Hop.

10 Drake Songs That Prove His Legacy in Hip-Hop.

(ThyBlackMan.com) Hip-hop is a game of kings, and for over a decade, Drake sat at the throne. Whether people love him or hate him, the facts don’t lie—Drake has dominated the charts in ways no rapper before him ever did. There was a time when every summer anthem, every club banger, and every radio hit had his fingerprints on it. From emotional R&B-infused rap ballads to straight-up lyrical showcases, Drake carved out his own lane, blending melody with bars, setting a new standard for rap’s versatility.

But in recent years, the tides have shifted. The hip-hop world has turned on him. The same critics who once hailed him now praise Kendrick Lamar, as if Drake’s decade-long run at the top means nothing. But legacy doesn’t fade overnight, and hip-hop owes Drake more respect than it currently gives him.

His catalog is a blueprint for success, and if there’s ever a doubt about why Drake is one of the greatest to ever do it, then these ten songs serve as proof. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting familiar, these tracks showcase his impact and why his music still holds weight in 2025.

1. Marvins Room (2011)

This is THE song that transformed rap’s relationship with vulnerability. Before Drake, rappers didn’t cry on records. They didn’t drunkenly call their ex-girlfriends, they didn’t expose their insecurities, and they sure as hell didn’t make that level of emotion cool. But Drake did.

The track is dark, intimate, and painfully honest. It captures late-night loneliness, the toxic need for validation, and the way heartbreak can drive people into self-destruction. The production is minimal, letting Drake’s drunken confessions take center stage. Even in 2025, the song resonates—who hasn’t felt like texting an ex at 2 AM, knowing it’s a bad idea?

Lyrically, Drake isn’t rapping in the traditional sense, but his delivery is so raw, so real, that it hits harder than a thousand bars. The influence of Marvins Room can be heard all over modern R&B and rap, proving that Drake shaped the sound of heartbreak music in hip-hop.

2. Started From The Bottom (2013)

Drake’s career has been defined by the doubters, and Started From The Bottom was his victory lap before he even reached the finish line. This wasn’t just a club anthem—this was a mission statement.

Built on a simple yet hypnotic beat, the song’s hook became a universal slogan. Whether you were a struggling artist, a broke college student, or a young hustler grinding for success, Started From The Bottom felt personal. Drake had already been winning by this point, but he wanted to remind people that none of it was given to him.

Even in 2025, the song remains motivational. It’s a reminder that success is earned, and even when the industry turns on you, your journey is your own. This is one of those tracks that never gets old, because everyone loves a success story.

3. Tuscan Leather (2013)

If there was ever a Drake song that proved he could rap circles around the competition, it was Tuscan Leather. This was the album opener for Nothing Was The Same, and from the very first second, Drake was on attack mode.

No hooks. No singing. Just straight bars over a beat that flips itself three times. This is Drake at his most unapologetic, showing that he doesn’t need pop hooks or radio hits to dominate.

Listening to Tuscan Leather today, it’s clear that Drake was rapping like he had something to prove—because back then, he still did. Before Kendrick, before J. Cole, before all the debates, Drake had to fight for his credibility. He proved it here, and anyone who still doubts his pen should revisit this track.

4. Hotline Bling (2015)

At first, hip-hop didn’t know what to do with Hotline Bling. It was too pop for rap, too rap for pop, but too infectious to ignore. Yet, this song became one of Drake’s biggest records ever, proving that he could shape culture on his own terms.

The track’s vibrant production, laid-back flow, and nostalgic lyrics made it an instant hit. But more than that, Hotline Bling is a testament to Drake’s ability to reinvent the genre. Nobody else at the time was fusing R&B, pop, and rap with such ease.

It’s 2025, and Hotline Bling is still one of those songs that instantly boosts your mood. It’s a classic that proves Drake isn’t just a rapper—he’s a musical innovator.

5. God’s Plan (2018)

When God’s Plan dropped, it became bigger than a song. It was a cultural moment. The track’s uplifting message, combined with Drake’s charitable gestures in the music video, made it one of the most heartwarming rap songs ever released.

But beyond the viral moment, the song itself is a masterpiece in simplicity. The beat is melodic yet hard-hitting, the lyrics are positive yet introspective, and Drake’s delivery is effortless. This was a song made for everybody, from the streets to the suburbs.

Even now, God’s Plan still hits differently. It’s a song that reminds us that sometimes, success is destiny, and that staying true to yourself will always pay off.