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"Pop Style"
Single by Drake featuring The Throne[a]
from the album Views
ReleasedApril 5, 2016 (2016-04-05)
Recorded2015
Genre
Length3:29
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Drake singles chronology
"One Dance"
(2016) 		"Pop Style"
(2016) 		"Why You Always Hatin?"
(2016)
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Seen It All"
(2014) 		"Pop Style"
(2016) 		"All the Way Up (Remix)"
(2016)
Kanye West singles chronology
"Famous"
(2016) 		"Pop Style"
(2016) 		"Figure It Out"
(2016)

"Pop Style" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z, collectively known as The Throne.[2] The song was released alongside "One Dance", as singles promoting Drake's fourth studio album Views, initially for exclusive digital download on iTunes on April 5, 2016.[3][4] The album version features only Drake with a new verse. The single version was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards.

Background

[edit]

The song is a collaboration between Drake and Kanye West and Jay-Z (collectively known as "The Throne", a reference to their collaborative album, Watch The Throne). It is the first time the three have appeared on the same track.[5] However, the contribution from Jay-Z is limited in the song, with only two lines from Jay-Z making the cut ("They still out to get me, they don't get it/ I can not be gotten, that's a given").[6][7] In an extended version of the song the lines by Jay-Z were used as the start of a new verse.[8] Also appearing in the song is Kanye saying "Imma let you finish", referencing his controversial statement[9][10][11] during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and the "Perfect" sample (Street Fighter II) used in his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo.[5] Kanye West has also performed the song live.[12][13] In the lyrics, Drake mentions Channing Tatum, Justin Timberlake and his song "Rock Your Body".[14]

Chart performance

[edit]

In the United States, "Pop Style" debuted and peaked at No. 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dating April 23, 2016; it sold 128,000 copies on two days of sales, also debuting atop the US Digital Songs chart.[15][16] It also debuted at No. 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs charts.[17] As of October 2016, it has sold 539,000 copies in the United States.[18]

Personnel

[edit]

The following are credited as songwriters. Adapted from Jaxsta.[19]

Production

  • Sevn Thomas – production, drum programming, arrangement
  • Frank Dukes – production, instrumentation
  • Boi-1da – additional production, drum programming, bass guitar
  • 40 – additional production, bass guitar
  • Drake – vocals
  • Kanye West – vocals
  • Jay-Z – vocals

Technical

  • Noel Cadastre – recording
  • 40 – recording
  • Greg Moffett – assistant engineer
  • Harley Arsenault – assistant engineer
  • Michael Brooks – assistant mixer
  • Tom "Classic" Hardy – assistant mixer

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[20] 44
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 19
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] 90
France (SNEP)[23] 29
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 58
Italy (FIMI)[25] 93
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 73
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 5
Scotland Singles (OCC)[28] 31
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 33
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[31] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 4

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (2016) Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[34] 76
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 82
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[36] 28

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[37] Platinum 70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[39] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pop Style

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Pop Style" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring the American hip hop duo The Throne (Kanye West and Jay-Z). It was released on April 5, 2016, alongside "One Dance", as promotional singles for Drake's fourth studio album Views (2016), initially available for digital download on iTunes. The single version includes verses from West and Jay-Z, while the version on Views features only Drake with a new verse. The single was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and release

Development

The development of "Pop Style" occurred during the recording sessions for Drake's fourth studio album, Views, which took place from 2015 to 2016 primarily in and , with producers "40" Shebib and Drake serving as executive producers. This period followed Drake's high-profile feud with in July 2015, which began when Meek accused Drake of using ghostwriters and not promoting his album ; the conflict boosted Drake's visibility and influenced the album's introspective tone as he refined tracks amid public scrutiny. The track marked the first collaboration featuring Drake alongside Kanye West and Jay-Z together, billed as The Throne in reference to their 2011 joint album Watch the Throne. Initially, Drake sought a feature from Kanye West, who contributed production and a full verse during the sessions. Kanye then unexpectedly added two lines from Jay-Z without Drake's prior involvement, stemming from a casual conversation between Drake and Kanye; Jay-Z's limited contribution was due to his minimal participation in the process. Drake later reflected, "I was just having a conversation with Kanye and that just landed on my lap," noting his original intent was solely for Kanye's input. Given the buzz surrounding Views after the Meek Mill feud and the allure of The Throne's involvement, the decision was made to release "Pop Style" as a single on April 5, 2016, to heighten anticipation for the album's impending launch. This move capitalized on the high-profile features to generate immediate excitement, pairing it with another preview track, "One Dance," as promotional singles.

Release

"Pop Style" was released as the third single from Drake's fourth studio album Views on April 5, 2016, available via digital download alongside "." The single version of the track features verses from and , collectively billed as The Throne, while the album version included on Views—released on April 29, 2016—is a solo performance by Drake, incorporating a new verse in place of the collaborators' contributions. The song received promotion through live performances, including a notable rendition of the single version at the 2016 OVO Fest on August 1 in , where Drake brought out onstage. Drake opted to remove the features for the album version citing creative control and unresolved business matters, amid reported tensions with over the unexpected inclusion of his brief contribution.

Composition and lyrics

Musical composition

"Pop Style" is a track with hip hop foundations and trap influences, evident in its heavy use of 808 bass and trap-style beats crafted by producer . The single version, featuring The Throne ( and ), has a runtime of 3:29, while the album version from Views—which omits the guest verses and includes a new Drake verse—runs for 3:33. These durations support a streamlined structure that prioritizes rhythmic flow over extended development. The instrumental, co-produced by , , , Noah "40" Shebib, and (credited as Ging), centers on minimalistic synth layers and pulsating 808 bass, creating a sparse yet atmospheric backdrop. This production approach, with its emphasis on sub-bass and subtle melodic elements, underscores the track's confident, luxurious sonic palette without overwhelming the vocal delivery. The song unfolds in common time at a tempo of 133 BPM, fostering an energetic yet controlled pace suitable for its pop-rap hybrid style. Structurally, "Pop Style" follows a conventional hip hop format: a short intro of ad-libs leads into the hook, followed by verses and repeating choruses, culminating in an outro that fades on the instrumental. In the single, Drake's opening verse transitions into The Throne's collaborative section, all delivered with a rhythmic, half-sung over the beat. The album version adjusts this by replacing the guest verse with Drake's solo extension, maintaining the hook's prominence. Tuned in for the single (shifting slightly to in the album edit), the composition evokes a sleek, upscale vibe through its choices and restrained .

Lyrical themes

The of "Pop Style" center on themes of , wealth, and rivalry, as Drake positions himself as a dominant force in hip-hop, boasting about his achievements while acknowledging adversaries. In the single version, Drake's verses emphasize opulence and status, with lines like "Dropped outta school now we dumb rich / This sound like some forty-three-oh-one shit," evoking images of lavish excess and rapid ascent from humble beginnings. He further asserts his edge over competitors, rapping "I got enemies, got a lot of enemies / Got a lot of people tryna drain me of this energy," which aligns with his public image of resilient bravado amid industry tensions. Kanye West's contribution reinforces the rivalry motif through a direct reference to his infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards interruption of , delivering "I'mma let you finish but… I just I just I just wanna rock your body," a playful yet pointed reminder of his disruptive influence in pop culture. Jay-Z's concise verse amplifies the themes of luxury and enduring legacy, as he dismisses prying questions about his personal life with "You rappers love asking if I fucked her," while celebrating a high-end lifestyle that turns "my birthday into a lifestyle." These elements collectively project an unyielding confidence, with the collaborators flexing their collective stature in . The album version on Views replaces the guest features with a new Drake verse that pivots toward personal growth and regional pride, contrasting the single's group showcase. Here, Drake reflects on his , stating "Told you in September / OVO that's major," highlighting the significance of his label and roots as markers of authenticity and advancement. Lines such as "Move from the A to the B, it’s a different level" underscore a journey from external influences to self-reliant dominance, emphasizing introspection over external validation. Throughout both iterations, the tone remains one of lighthearted yet assertive bravado, encapsulating Drake's navigation of fame's pressures through clever wordplay and cultural nods.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single featuring Kanye West and Jay-Z, "Pop Style" received mixed critical reception, with reviewers praising its energetic production and star power while critiquing the uninspired lyrics and uneven contributions from the guests. NME lauded the track as a bold assertion of Drake's hip-hop dominance, highlighting his sharp one-liners and the song's replay value despite the features' lackluster delivery. In contrast, Complex described it as a misguided attempt to appease fans, pointing to shallow bars like the "Chaining Tatum" reference as emblematic of its lack of substance. Music Times echoed the positive side, calling the collaboration "killer" for its calculated flow and intimidating presence, though noting the features added more hype than depth. The album version, stripped of the guest verses and featuring an extended solo performance by Drake, garnered somewhat more favorable responses for its improved introspection and flow. commended the replacement verse for enhancing the track's cool factor while maintaining thematic consistency on fame and , arguing it strengthened the song overall. appreciated the removal of the features as a "sly power move," allowing Drake's voice to take center stage amid the album's sound. However, some critics, like those at Pops Culture, found the solo iteration weaker, citing the first verse's subpar bars as a step down from the original's energy. In the context of Views, which leaned heavily into R&B and melodic elements, "Pop Style" was often noted as a return to straightforward but criticized for lacking the depth of standout tracks like "Weston Road Flows." viewed it as emblematic of the album's lyrical regression, with its pandering style halting momentum amid the project's introspective themes. Overall, critics consensus positioned the song as a solid, commercially viable single that showcased Drake's versatility without emerging as a critical highlight of the era.

Accolades

"Pop Style," particularly the single version featuring The Throne (Kanye West and Jay-Z), received a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the in 2017. This recognition highlighted the track's collaborative appeal and its role as a from Drake's Views. The song was included in various year-end lists, contributing to the promotion of Views, such as Billboard's Year-End Hot 100 at number 82. As a key track from the , "Pop Style" played a part in Views' nomination for Best Rap Album at the same Grammy ceremony, underscoring its contribution to the project's overall artistic impact. In terms of certifications, "Pop Style" has been certified double platinum by the RIAA on June 29, 2018, reflecting its commercial resonance within the broader acclaim for Views.

Commercial performance

Charts

"Pop Style" debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 23, 2016, marking its peak position on the chart where it spent a total of 12 weeks. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the track entered at number 4 on the same date, which became its peak, lasting 12 weeks overall. It ranked number 14 on the 2016 year-end Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, "Pop Style" reached a peak of number 33 on the UK Singles Chart, charting for 13 weeks beginning April 14, 2016. In Canada, it debuted at number 20 and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, accumulating 20 weeks on the tally.
Chart (2016)Peak PositionWeeks on Chart
US Billboard Hot 1001612
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs412
UK Singles Chart3313
Canadian Hot 1001920

Certifications

"Pop Style" has received several certifications across various countries, reflecting its commercial success through sales and streaming equivalents. In the United States, the song was certified 2× Platinum by the (RIAA) on June 29, 2018, denoting 2,000,000 units sold, which includes 1,500 streaming equivalents per sale after the initial 150,000 units. The track also achieved Gold status in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), equivalent to 400,000 units. Additional honors include Platinum certification in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Post-2016, streaming activity significantly contributed to these certifications, with equivalents forming a large portion of the units under updated industry standards. This aligns with the parent album Views, which reached 9× Platinum status by the RIAA as of October 24, 2025, underscoring the song's role in the project's enduring popularity.

Personnel

The single version of "Pop Style," released on April 5, 2016, features lead vocals by Drake throughout the track, providing the primary verses, hook, and overall structure. Featured vocals are contributed by , who delivers a full verse, and , who appears for two lines toward the end of the song, with the pair collectively credited as The Throne. Drake also handles background vocals and ad-libs, particularly emphasizing the hook to reinforce the track's rhythmic flow and thematic bravado. In contrast, the album version included on Views (2016) contains no additional featured artists, with Drake performing all lead vocals, verses, and ad-libs solo after replacing the contributions from and with an extended verse of his own. This solo rendition maintains Drake's central role in the vocal delivery while streamlining the track for the album's cohesive narrative.

Production and technical

The production of "Pop Style" (consistent across single and album versions) was handled by (production, drum programming, arrangement), (production, instrumentation), (additional production, drum programming), and Noah "40" Shebib (additional production). contributed keyboards. The song's writing credits (for the single version) include Aubrey Graham (Drake), , (Shawn Carter), Noah "40" Shebib (Adam Feeney), (Boi-1da), (Sevn Thomas), Jordan Ullman (Ging), , and Kenza Samsir. The album version credits exclude and . Recording was performed by Noel Cadastre and "40" Shebib, with assistant engineers Greg Moffett and Harley Arsenault. Mixing was performed by Noel Cadastre at SOTA Studios in , with mastering handled by Chris .

References

  1. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-debuts-two-new-songs-featuring-kanye-west-jay-z-20160405/
  2. https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammys-2017-hip-hop-rap-nominations-7603848/
  3. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1065-drakes-views-from-the-6-the-complete-timeline/
  4. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-talks-meek-mill-beef-views-from-the-6-release-in-rare-interview-43233/
  5. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/drake-views-album/
  6. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-kanye-west-jay-z-one-dance-pop-style-the-throne-7325248/
  7. https://djbooth.net/features/2016-04-29-drake-kanye-jay-removed-pop-style/
  8. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2016-04-29/14412/drake-sets-the-record-straight-on-jay-zs-pop-style-verse
  9. https://pitchfork.com/news/63842-drake-shares-new-songs-pop-style-featuring-kanye-west-and-jay-z-and-one-dance-listen/
  10. https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-releases-two-singles-ahead-of-views-from-the-6/
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-debuts-two-new-songs-featuring-kanye-west-jay-z-48192/
  12. https://www.xxlmag.com/drake-pop-style-new-version/
  13. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-rihanna-summer-sixteen-ovo-fest-2016-toronto-7454404/
  14. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/jay-z-drake-relationship-timeline-8470558/
  15. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/drake/pop-style/
  16. https://genius.com/Drake-pop-style-lyrics/q/producer
  17. https://tunebat.com/Info/Pop-Style-Drake-The-Throne/23NWj2izXAJ4yL6Nah73wf
  18. https://tunebat.com/Info/Pop-Style-Drake/5mPSyjLatqB00IkPqRlbTE
  19. https://www.discogs.com/master/986213-Drake-Feat-The-Throne-Pop-Style
  20. https://getsongbpm.com/song/pop-style/oZk9gB
  21. https://genius.com/Drake-pop-style-lyrics
  22. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/drake/pop-style
  23. https://genius.com/Drake-pop-style-single-version-lyrics
  24. https://www.billboard.com/lists/drake-top-songs-hot-100-ranked/successful-feat-trey-songz-lil-wayne-no-17-10-3-09
  25. https://www.bustle.com/articles/157852-pop-style-belongs-to-drake-no-matter-which-version-of-the-song-you-listen-to
  26. https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/drakes-new-tracks-one-dance-pop-style-reviewed-9729
  27. https://www.complex.com/music/a/frazier-tharpe/drake-more-life-review
  28. https://www.musictimes.com/articles/69193/20160405/drake-jay-z-kanye-west-pop-style-review-new-song-listen.htm
  29. https://macleans.ca/culture/arts/drakes-incomplete-views-from-the-six/
  30. https://popsculture.ca/2016/05/08/phenomminow-review-the-album-formally-known-as-views-from-the-six/
  31. https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/drake-views/
  32. https://pitchfork.com/news/70107-grammys-2017-beyonce-adele-drake-chance-kanye-rihanna-lead-nominees/
  33. https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~dtompkin/music/list/Chart31.html
  34. https://www.grammy.com/videos/best-rap-album-59th-grammy-nominees
  35. https://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2018/06/29/drake-riaa/
  36. https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-top-hot-100-hits/
  37. https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-pop-style-one-dance-debut-top-10-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart/
  38. https://pulsemusic.proboards.com/thread/163465/2016-billboard-year-charts-genres
  39. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/drake-ft-the-throne-pop-style/
  40. https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2016-06-25/
  41. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Drake&ti=Pop+Style
  42. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/?search=pop+style+drake
  43. https://www.aria.com.au/pages/certifications.asp
  44. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Drake&ti=VIEWS
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/8489576-Drake-Views
  46. https://www.allmusic.com/album/views-mw0002934040/credits
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