9
Widely read as Drake's declaration of ownership over Toronto, the track plays on the visual of flipping a '6' into a '9' — a reframing of the city's identity through his own influence. Produced by Noah "40" Shebib and Boi-1da with Brian Alexander Morgan, it rides a dark, churning beat that critics have linked to a Caribbean source (a Mavado sample has been cited), tying the civic mythmaking to the album's Afro-Caribbean palette. It reads as both hometown anthem and personal mythology: the artist arguing he didn't just come from his city, he redefined how the world sees it, extending the '6' branding he popularized across this era.
Sources & verification
Citations below were matched specifically to "9" and Views. Drake Universe catalogs songs by album placement, verified collaborators, producers, samples, and themes, and avoids unsupported lyric-level claims.
- Pitchfork: Drake 'Views' album reviewPitchfork · 2016-05-05 — Dated album review noting the absence of Kanye features.
- Billboard: Drake's Views first album to surpass 1 billion Apple Music streamsBillboard · 2016-07-12 — Dated report on Views passing 1B streams on Apple Music in roughly three months.
- Billboard: Views debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200Billboard · 2016-05-08 — Dated chart report for Views' Billboard 200 No. 1 debut and its 13 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1.
- Beats 1: Drake on Views with Zane Lowe (2016)Apple Music / YouTube · 2016-04-29 — YouTube upload of Drake's Views release-day Beats 1 interview.
- Complex: Drake — Views from the 6 coverComplex · 2016-04-15 — Complex cover story tied to Views.
- Apple Music 1 curator pageApple Music — Apple Music 1 station surface used to verify Drake Zane Lowe interviews.
- Wikipedia: Views (Drake album)Wikipedia · 2026-05-18 — Reference for Views release facts, Toronto-weather concept, dancehall/Afrobeats/UK funky palette, track-by-track production and sample credits, mixed critical reception, and chart/certification data.
- Wikipedia: Feel No WaysWikipedia · 2026-05-18 — Reference for Feel No Ways production (Jordan Ullman, 40, Kanye West), Malcolm McLaren 'World's Famous' 80s synth-pop sample, and Views all-20-tracks Hot 100 record context.
- Drake — Can I (Genius)Genius · 2026-05-18 — Confirms 2015 leak, intended-for-Views status, The Smiths 'The Draize Train' sample and Beyonce additional vocals (reportedly an 'XO' outtake).
