Drake has never been shy about critiquing the way media shapes narratives around his career.
In a recent conversation with podcaster Bobbi Althoff, the Toronto rapper offered a layered piece of advice—part critique of modern culture, part reassurance for the rising host—about how to handle fast-moving judgment in the digital age.
“The true response to your contributions and your work… is not in the immediate response from individuals,” Drake said, cautioning Althoff against letting early criticism weigh too heavily.
For him, the rush to comment online has less to do with authenticity and more with competition. “It’s like first to comment or first to be seen or first to offer their opinion is not the actual response to your contribution.”
To illustrate, he pulled from his own experience navigating album rollouts. Drake described how, within hours of a release, media outlets strategize their positions on his projects, sometimes declaring them disappointing before listeners have time to sit with the music.
“They have phone calls, like, media phone calls deciding what stance so-and-so is going to take within the first hour,” he said.
He even compared critics to “first responders”—clarifying that he meant it as commentary on speed rather than a slight toward actual emergency workers. Turning back to Althoff, Drake reminded her that viral criticism is rarely a full reflection of public opinion.
“People think you’re funny. They think you’re great. They would love to sit across from you and laugh with you. They do think you’re a great mother. They do think you’re cute,” he told her, pushing back on the negativity she sometimes internalizes.
Drake closed with a metaphor, urging Althoff to view criticism in parts rather than as a single narrative. “You tick that immediate reaction and you wear it, you know, you wear it like a romper. And sometimes you need to separate the shorts from the vest, babe.”
For Drake, the message was simple: early commentary is noise, not truth. And for Althoff, the reassurance was clear—authentic reception takes time.
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