Are we ready for Drake x Ye? A Fan's perspective

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are the writer's own. Reader's discretion is advised.

The landscape of hip-hop is subject to constant change. Industry mainstays quickly become figures of the past, as former transgressions come to light and in-genre trends undergo seismic shift.

As of late, two iconic rappers have clearly been subject to this fall from grace and are nearing all-out villain status. Albeit for wildly different reasons, Kanye West and Drake seem to have drawn the ire of the masses, who are now actively rooting directly against the pair. While many don’t see a clear-cut path to redemption for either artist in terms of public opinion, there’s a possible solution to their woes— though it will require some cooperation.

What if Kanye and Drake did the unthinkable and made a joint album? What if they put their interpersonal differences aside, sat down in a studio, and went to work? Would it be a classic? Would it be the most consumed record of all time?

The possibilities are endless, and the potential is vast, but the fact remains that a great deal would have to happen behind the scenes for it to come to fruition.

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Kanye’s Recent Struggles

Although 2024 was another turbulent year for Ye in the media, diehard fans remained hopeful. He dropped new music, (Vultures 2 with Ty Dolla $ign), regained control of his merch, and seemed content working on his new album in isolation in Japan.

The Grammys red carpet brought his name directly back in the spotlight early in 2025, although this time, it was in response to his wife Bianca’s outfit. While the pair got everybody talking (she became the most googled person on earth), they left immediately and did not even attend the ceremony. Oddly enough, this decision also played into Kanye’s hands, given his history at award shows.

When he took to X and seemed to crumble before our very eyes in one of his latest public meltdowns. While those in the know can point to his antics as merely a polarizing marketing strategy (whose ultimate success is yet to be determined) as he prepares to drop his new project. The language employed and the extent of the damage done by his tirades have been immense.

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Drake’s Side of Things

The Certified Lover Boy, Drizzy Drake, had a brutal 2024 by any measure. While his overall fan base remained intact for the most part, public perception of him was at an all-time low. He was defeated resoundingly by Kendrick Lamar in their all-time beef. Some would say he lost in a landslide, as Kendrick beat him at his own game by eviscerating him with a hit single. To make matters worse, Drake seemed to be alienated by some powerful friends.

Despite the hate, Drake has found his rhythm again and is simply back to doing his thing. He’s been in Australia on his Anita Max Win Tour, dodging criticism and delivering stellar performances for the sold-out crowds who still show him love. Before the tour, he announced an upcoming collaborative album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Some Sexy Songs 4 U, dropping on Valentine’s Day.

While on stage Down Under, Drake has taken several moments to speak directly to the audience and share what’s on his mind. At one of the shows, he seemed to announce a second studio album set for release later this year, which will detail his journey navigating the past year’s events.

Why it makes sense?!

Let’s imagine the two actually sitting across the table from one another, trying to make this happen. Could anyone realistically think of a reason for either of them to say no?

For starters, their musical sensibilities are perfectly aligned, and the duo could truly shine as a pair. Drizzy would thrive on Ye’s razor-sharp sampling techniques and go off on Kanye’s signature ‘chipmunk soul’ sound. Further, Drake would be a great melodic partner on a collab record, as Kanye’s singing abilities are limited and work best when conveying raw emotion (as evidenced in his recent work with Ty Dolla $ign on Vultures 1 & 2).

From a sonic perspective, it honestly just fits too well. Think of it this way: if Watch the Throne is part of Kanye’s opus trilogy, this would serve as a worthy sequel to the original masterpiece featuring Jay-Z. Drake is also one of the few artists who even has the level of cachet required for this thought experiment to make sense.

Beyond the actual music, their ability to draw crowds and excel on stage further cements why this should be seen as a viable option for both. Their joint performance for Amazon at the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert was the only time they have been seen on stage together, and the show was met with universal praise.

Ultimately, all nonsense and past drama aside, they have been fans of each other for some time. If they truly embrace their villain arcs in 2025 and shock the world with an unforgettable piece of art, a lot of the controversy surrounding them may fade. It’s also an opportunity for both to channel their creativity into something genre-defining, potentially even surpassing what Taylor Swift achieved with her record-breaking Eras Tour.

Their discographies are certainly deep enough. The question is: are we still willing to follow them for the ride?