If we’re not mistaken, there were plenty of “influential voices” who said Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s collab album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U would go double wood–in but so many words. Big-time podcasters and industry insiders alike were pretty much aligned that the project would flop. Funny times.
Well, it turns out $$$4U has officially crossed the platinum threshold, selling over one million equivalent units just three months after its Valentine’s Day debut.
Platinum in 90 days. In this volatile music market, when it’s hard for anyone to sell anything.
Despite a modest opening week—at least by Drake’s standards—with just under 250,000 units sold, the project defied expectations with staying power. The album not only premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but it’s still holding strong in the top five over 12 weeks later.
Here’s the part that goes understated: This was achieved without any visible label support—none. There was no real marketing outside word of mouth, core fans, and organic energy on social media.
One major driver of that success? The infectious single “Nokia,” which climbed all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. While it couldn’t unseat Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s smash “Luther” from the top spot, “Nokia” quickly became a cultural staple and streaming juggernaut.
But even as $ome $exy $ongs 4 U continues to ride high, Drake isn’t slowing down. Word from the OVO camp is that Drizzy is already deep into his next project—a solo effort.
We’re here for it.
ICHYMI, according to fellow Toronto native and OVO signee Smiley, Drake has been laser-focused, working on new material even during the “Nokia” music video shoot.
“Even at the ‘Nokia’ video shoot, during a break, he had a bunch of producers and he was just recording. He’s in that crazy mode, right now,” Smiley revealed during a livestream.
That dedicated intensity appears to be around-the-clock. Smiley also recalled a recent event where the 6 God disappeared from the party scene entirely—only to be found in another room, headphones on, eating pasta and penning lyrics.
“We’re at a party and he was in the other room by himself eating pasta with wired headphones writing music while we have a whole fing party going on. He’s on a different mode right now.”*
Drake later confirmed the buzz during a livestream with Adin Ross, where he casually let fans know:
“Working on a new album right now,” adding, “It’s a slap.”
That part.