Unravelling the Layers of Drake’s Wants and Needs: A Comprehensive Analysis

On March 5, 2021, the music industry buzzed with the release of Drake’s fourth extended play, Scary Hours 2.

Among the tracks, Wants and Needs, a collaboration with American rapper Lil Baby, quickly climbed the charts, debuting at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics sparked a flurry of conversations and interpretations, prompting this deep dive into the song’s intricate lyrics and overarching themes.

The Dichotomy of Desire: An Overview of Wants and Needs

Wants and Needs is a profound exploration of the dichotomy between desire and necessity.

As Drake once said, “Music is a great way to express yourself and to convey your feelings to someone else.”

This song serves as a platform for both Drake and Lil Baby to discuss various aspects of their lives, including relationships, wealth, fame, and spirituality.

The Dynamic Duo: Drake and Lil Baby’s Collaborative History

Wants and Needs is not the first time Drake and Lil Baby have joined forces.

Their musical partnership dates back to May 2018 with their first collaboration, Yes Indeed.

This was followed by Never Recover, a track that also featured rapper Gunna.

Despite their numerous collaborations, Wants and Needs stands out as it marks their highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100.

Peeling Back the Layers: A Breakdown of Wants and Needs Lyrics

The lyrics of Wants and Needs offer a profound look into the lives of both Drake and Lil Baby. Let’s dissect the lyrics to understand their deeper meanings:

Drake’s Verse:

Drake starts off with a plea to be left out of the comments and nonsense, speaking out against people taking his words out of context.

He talks about the constant scrutiny he faces and his need to continuously prove his worth in the industry.

He mentions his mother’s belief in him being heaven-sent and God-sent, indicating his strong family support.

He also talks about his work ethic, saying “Busy than a motherfucker, you know how my job get”.

In a more introspective line, Drake says, “Yeah, I probably should go to Yeshiva, we went to Ibiza / Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us”.

Here, he is expressing his need for spiritual guidance while also acknowledging the skepticism he faces when he tries to confess his sins.

Lil Baby’s Verse:

Lil Baby’s verse delves into his past experiences of financial instability and how these experiences have shaped his current outlook on success and wealth.

He talks about his rise from poverty with lines like “My shovel wasn’t bent, I was broke, had to fix it / A shark in the water, you swim with the lil’ fishes”. He also discusses the pressures of fame and success, saying “I’m droppin’ hit after hit, I’m just chillin’ / But I’ll send a hit while I chill with my children”.

Making Waves: Reception and Chart Performance

Wants and Needs was met with positive reception from both fans and critics alike.

The track debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking it as Lil Baby’s highest-charting single on the chart.

But the song’s success didn’t stop there. Along with What’s Next at number 1 and Lemon Pepper Freestyle at number 3, Drake managed to debut all three tracks from Scary Hours 2 in the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100.