Practice
"Practice" reworks the framework of a well-known Cash Money-era Southern record into something softer and more devotional, transforming raunch into longing. Produced by Noah "40" Shebib and Drake, the song has Drake singing to a woman about the men before him being practice for him — a framing that is alternately flattering and possessive in the album's signature ambiguous way. It is widely read as one of Take Care's clearest examples of Drake recontextualizing Southern rap touchstones through his own slow, intimate lens, turning a club anthem into a bedroom confessional. "Practice" was one of three tracks whose sample clearances reportedly delayed the album to November 15, 2011. Its bouncing, low-slung production keeps a trace of the original's swagger while the vocal pulls it into the album's haze, and fans frequently cite it for its blend of homage and reinvention.
Sources & verification
Citations below were matched specifically to "Practice" 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.
- ESPN: Raptors practice facility rebranded OVO Athletic CentreESPN · 2019-09-25 — Dated reference for the OVO Athletic Centre naming-rights deal.
- 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.
- 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.
