Drake is one of the most successful rapper to come out in the last decade. With two platinum albums under his belt and fans across the globe Drizzy is doing his thing.
He also has high aspirations. During a recent visit to the UK, Drake sat down with theGuardian to talk about wanting to be an icon, recreational drug use, his critics and handling bad interviews.
On walking out of an interview with Vibe.
"I didn't like the way I was treated," he says. "They ran this story about how I'm the most bitter guy, and my life is in turmoil. And I'm, like, a very happy 25-year-old kid living an amazing life. They tried to put a damper on my character, I guess because I didn't play according to their rules."
On saying he was the rap Jimi Hendrix or Bob Marley on the song "Lord Knows."
"I didn't really say I was the rap Hendrix or Marley, I said I was the descendant," he corrects, smiling at the tenuous distinction. "Because I feel like that's what I want to be for this generation: iconic. That's the purpose I want to serve on this earth. I want my words to be remembered in 10, 15 years."
On his critics.
"I can't lie to you, I read what they have to say and it's ... character-building." He used to find it mortally wounding. "There have been times when a negative comment about me would be the be all and end all, and I'd wonder, Why do you hate me so much? Why would you tell me that you want to kill my mom or see me dead? "It's scary for me to say this on record," he says, "but artists are only human, and we seek validation like everyone else. You just have to come to the conclusion that it's OK, there are going to be people who like you and people who don't. Luckily there are millions of people who love me and a few who don't."
On smoking weed and sipping syrup.
"Have I sipped codeine before?" he asks for me. "Yeah, of course. Have I smoked weed? Yes. Do I drink wine? Yes. But do I do it excessively? No. I'm not a reckless guy. I do it all within moderation. I'm not into drugs." He realizes what he has just said, and bursts out laughing, as do his crew. "I mean any outside the ones I just mentioned. Nah, that's not me. I care too much about what I have. I'm not going to throw it away for that."
