Posted by | Cyrena Rose
In an article by Michael Paterniti entitled ‘How to Drake It In America’, with photos lensed by Mario Sorrenti rapper Drake covers GQ‘s July 2013 issue.
He’s been called a “counterfeit rapper” (Ludacris), “a fuckin’ piece of shit” (DMX), and “a straight pussy” (Lil’ Kim), and cajoled to “come out the closet” (Chris Brown). Common rapped: You so black and white, trying to live a nigga’s life… / You ain’t wet nobody, nigga, you Canada dry. And that’s coming from Common.
“You notice they don’t criticize the music itself, though,” says Drake about his detractors. “I’m okay with that.”
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Enjoy the visuals of Drake’s photoshoot along with excerpts of his interview below:
At a Mexican restaurant with drink in hand, he addresses his feud with Chris Brown. “I hear he has everything he could want now,” Drake says, alluding to the fact that Brown and Rihanna were, for the moment, back together. “I don’t want my name to be synonymous with that guy’s name. I really don’t. I wish we could sit down, just like you and me are right now, and talk it out man-to-man. But that’s not going to happen. I’m not confrontational, but if someone challenges, I’m not going to back down.”
Still, none of it sits too well with Drake. “It’s embarrassing, the amount of media coverage,” he says. “Two rappers fighting over the woman. He’s not even a rapper, but still, it’s the last way you want your name out there. It distracts from the music. But he’s made me the enemy, and that’s the way it’s gonna stay, I guess.”
Right now, Drake says, he feels like a boxer in training before the main event. “You know the way fighters don’t fuck before the fight?” he says. “Sometimes I feel like I’m so focused on training my body and getting my mind right to create this album that sex isn’t one of my main priorities. If someone is around that I know and trust, I’m down. But I’m not going to end up with some stranger at this party.”
“I had lunch the other day with someone I extremely look up to,” he continues. “Okay—I had lunch with Will Smith, and listening to him talk, it made me think I don’t know what love is. He said something profound. He said love is when you become one and you need that person. It’s not about wanting anymore, you need that person. Hearing that, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way. I’ve held women in very high regard almost to the point where I felt like I needed them for a very long time, but I don’t know if I comprehend it yet, and I’m okay with that…
I’ve made a lot of music about love being the only thing I’m missing. I think this is the first album I’ve made saying, I’m okay. I’m enjoying it right now. Maybe this is my time to grind it out, make a run for it and add some memories with my boys.”
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