During a livestream from the American Music Awards, Kai Cenat, one of the most influential voices in digital culture, sparked a curious moment with a comment that had fans raising eyebrows. While vibing with the show’s medley performances, Cenat took a moment to speak his mind about something that’s been on his radar: the absence of Drake’s music at major industry events.
“You know what’s crazy, I f*** with K Dot OD, but I never hear Drake songs, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Drake song,” Kai said, casually but pointedly and almost sarcastically depending on how you gauge his energy.
Check out the moment below:
The streaming superstar wasn’t questioning Drizzy’s legacy; he was observing a recent shift in the soundtrack of industry spaces.
The commentary in the moment hit differently considering Drake’s latest joint project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, with longtime collaborator PARTYNEXTDOOR, just went platinum… in 90 days.
But wait, not to mention, “Nokia,” a standout single from the project, which felt was chosen by the fans based on the organic energy, is currently the best-selling single of 2025 of any artist.
So why the silence in rooms full of artists, execs, and tastemakers?
Interesting times, and was not unnoticed by Kai Cenat.
Some speculate it’s a symptom of industry politics, especially in the wake of Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar and the controversy surrounding UMG’s handling of their chart war. Others believe it’s simply the cyclical nature of music culture, where the most commercially successful records don’t always dominate the social scene.
You be the judge.
Still, Cenat’s remark reflects a broader curiosity: how can one of the biggest artists in the world, when it comes to commercial success and streaming data, to name a couple of measuring items, be missing from the moment at the AMAs?
Drake’s impact is undeniable—streams, sales, and accolades all back that up—but in an era where vibes often outpace stats, presence matters.
One thing is sure: Some Sexy Songs 4 U is far from underperforming. The album’s nostalgic, slow-burn sound, paired with PARTYNEXTDOOR’s smooth, ethereal delivery and Drake’s calculated precision, has resonated deeply with fans, even if the industry elite haven’t included it in their playlist rotation at award shows.
As the debate continues, Cenat’s comment could be a callout, or a cautionary note, that no matter how big an artist is, their cultural visibility is constantly up for reevaluation or even suppression–depending on who you ask … But in a year where Nokia rings loud across charts and speakers everywhere, maybe the question isn’t WHY we don’t hear Drake’s music at industry events… but WHO decides what gets played in the first place. That part.