On last year’s Fourth of July, Kendrick Lamar caused a major stir with the release of his powerful video “Not Like Us.” This fiery diss track directed at Drake elevated Lamar’s status significantly. In the months that followed, he delivered a standout Super Bowl appearance, dominated the Grammys, and held the top position on the Hot 100 for 13 weeks with “Luther.” His momentum continued with the Grand National Stadium Tour alongside SZA. Together, they formed a powerful force from TDE, dominating the scene as other artists scrambled to stay relevant.
This Independence Day felt different: Drake came back swinging with the release of “What Did I Miss?” Following a quiet but effective return, highlighted by his chart-topping album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR and the breakout single “NOKIA,” which climbed to No. 2 on the Hot 100, Drake may be orchestrating his biggest summer takeover yet.
Hip-hop finds itself in need of such momentum. Other than “Luther,” the only rap track to reach No. 1 this year was Travis Scott’s “4X4,” which held that position for just one week before plummeting. Playboi Carti’s Music album did dominate the Billboard 200, but none of its singles achieved lasting success in the Hot 100’s top 10. Despite new offerings like Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out and a potential reunion between Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist for Alfredo 2, Kendrick and Drake continue to be the primary forces in the genre. “Luther” and “NOKIA” have kept the genre’s presence strong through the first half of the year.
Now, Drake is fully focused on a new project and is preparing for a headline-making three-day performance at the Wireless Festival starting this Friday, July 11. “What Did I Miss?” marks a notable return to rap for him, after spending most of the year in an R&B lane. The track feels like a warm-up session — with sharp lyrics, a dynamic beat change, and pointed references to a former NBA friend.
Upon its release, “What Did I Miss?” surged to the top of both Spotify and Apple Music charts. Whether it will achieve a strong debut on the Billboard rankings remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the promotional rollout — including Drake playing teasers from an Iceman truck around Toronto — made a big impression. With a U.K. tour alongside PARTYNEXTDOOR and the upcoming OVO Fest, Drake could be setting up a full-scale comeback.
Is it enough to overtake Kendrick Lamar? That’s hard to determine, given the remarkable year Lamar has had. Still, Drake’s knack for making hits and influencing the culture shouldn’t be underestimated. Even after Lamar’s critical blows, Drake re-entered the spotlight with “NOKIA,” which not only charted well but also gained viral popularity and became a party favorite. Meanwhile, though “Somebody Loves Me” hasn’t matched its predecessor’s chart impact, it has stayed relevant on social media and in clubs — and recently climbed back into the upper half of the Hot 100.
Do fans want introspective lyrics from Drake on Iceman? Certainly. But there’s also a yearning for the 2018 version of Drake, when tracks like “In My Feelings” and “Nice For What” dominated every playlist. Just as Jay-Z once ruled the summers, it doesn’t feel complete when Drake isn’t present from June to September. Maybe a dose of his energy is exactly what hip-hop needs right now.
