Headlines

"Headlines" is the song that translated Thank Me Later's anxiety hangover into Take Care's signature mood. Produced by Boi-1da and Noah "40" Shebib, it moves on a sparse, slightly off-kilter synth line and a half-speed drum pattern that became the album's connective tissue, with a chorus — broadly heard as a quiet confidence statement — functioning as a thesis for the project: success without celebration, focus without triumph. Drake himself told Billboard it was "by no means" the best song on the album but "the song for this moment," chosen for its message rather than its radio polish. Premiered on his October's Very Own blog on July 31, 2011 and serviced to radio August 9, it debuted and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Rap Songs chart, helping make Drake the artist with the most number ones in that chart's history at the time. It has since been certified Diamond by the RIAA. The video, directed by La Mar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne of The Weeknd's XO camp and shot largely in Toronto (CN Tower, Rogers Centre), planted the city-mythology that became central to Drake's brand.

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Editorially reviewed· Last verified 2026-05-18

Sources & verification

Citations below were matched specifically to "Headlines" and Take Care. Drake Universe catalogs songs by album placement, verified collaborators, producers, samples, and themes, and avoids unsupported lyric-level claims.

Genius: 'Buried Alive Interlude' on Take CareGenius · 2011-11-15 — Primary track page for Kendrick's Take Care interlude.
Complex: Drake — The Heir cover storyComplex · 2011-10-01 — Complex cover story tied to the Take Care rollout.
Vibe: Drake — Take Care coverVibe · 2011-08-22 — Vibe cover story used for the 2011 Take Care interview.
The Fader: Drake — Take Care featureThe Fader · 2011-10-24 — Fader print feature tied to Take Care.
Wikipedia: Jamie xxWikipedia — Biographical reference for James Smith and the 2011 'I'll Take Care of You' edit licensed for Drake's 'Take Care.'
Take Care (album) — WikipediaWikipedia · 2026-05-18 — Release date, label, recording, singles, chart peaks, RIAA certifications, Grammy Best Rap Album, Metacritic/Pitchfork scores, year-end and all-time accolades, sample-clearance delay, Weeknd contribution dispute.
Take Care (song) — WikipediaWikipedia · 2026-05-18 — Jamie xx/40 production, Gil Scott-Heron / Brook Benton / Bobby Bland sample chain, Metalworks recording, #7 Hot 100, 7x Platinum, Yoann Lemoine video, Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #267, Florence + the Machine cover.
Headlines (Drake song) — WikipediaWikipedia · 2026-05-18 — Boi-1da/40 production, #13 Hot 100, RIAA Diamond, La Mar Taylor & Hyghly Alleyne Toronto video, Hot Rap Songs #1, Drake's record number-one count at the time, billion Spotify streams.
Drake — Dreams Money Can Buy (Genius)Genius · 2026-05-18 — Song bio confirming May 20, 2011 OVO-blog release as first of four Take Care loosies and the Jai Paul 'BTSTU' sample.
Drake — Trust Issues (Genius)Genius · 2026-05-18 — Confirms June 21, 2011 release as second Take Care loosie, 40/T-Minus/Adrian X credits, and 'I'm on One' interpolation.
Drake — Club Paradise (Genius)Genius · 2026-05-18 — Confirms Sept 10, 2011 release as third Take Care loosie, The Weeknd background vocals, the Club Paradise Tour namesake and the omitted Bob Marley outro.
Drake — Free Spirit (Genius)Genius · 2026-05-18 — Confirms Sept 10, 2011 release as fourth Take Care loosie, Rick Ross feature and Sade 'I Will Be Your Friend' sample.