Released: 2018
“In My Feelings” is a catchy, personal anthem from the self-proclaimed 6 God, Drake. It’s a track that speaks to the complexities of love, loyalty, and self-identity, wrapped neatly in an infectious beat that makes these introspective themes feel like a celebration. The track is heavily peppered with colloquialisms and insider language that is quintessential to Drake’s style, reinforcing his connection with his Toronto roots.
From the get-go, the song makes its intentions clear – Drake is in his feelings, his emotions are gettin’ real. The persistent questions “Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding?” indicate a desperate longing for assurance – assurance of love, constancy, and loyalty. Here Kiki, KB, ‘Resha, and J.T are presumably women from Drake’s past, each symbolizing a different facet of the rapper’s romantic experiences.
Through the lines “Look, the new me is really still the real me, I swear you gotta feel me before they try and kill me” Drake emphasises his struggle to retain authenticity amidst the perils of fame. The notion of people trying to “kill” his real persona can be understood as the pressures of stardom attempting to distort his true identity.
When we hear “I buy you Champagne but you love some Henny, From the block like you Jenny”, Drake refers to his high-end lifestyle, yet his love interest prefers Henny (short for Hennessy, a cognac known for its popularity in urban and hip-hop culture) implying her grounded nature. The “Jenny” reference, a hat tip to Jennifer Lopez’s song “Jenny from the Block”, reinforces this preference for the ‘real’ over ostentatious displays of wealth.
The lyrics “Two bad bitches and we kissing in the Wraith, I need that black card and the code to the safe” introduce a woman demanding luxury – a lifestyle that’s the opposite of the ‘Jenny’ analogy. The mention of the Wraith, a luxury car manufactured by Rolls-Royce, and the black card, a reference to the highly exclusive American Express Centurion – also known as the black card – demonstrate her high demands.
The line – “Fuck that Netflix and chill, What’s your net-net-net worth?” does a swift flip of the Netflix and chill internet slang (an invitation to watch Netflix together that has ultimately become a euphemism for casual sex) to ask about his financial status. Essentially, this lyric personifies the materialistic woman who’s more concerned with financial status than love and intimacy.
“Now let me see you, Bring that ass, bring that ass, bring that ass back” can be seen as Drake’s expression of sexual desire, an almost primal call that is unabashed in its explicitness.
“Now let me see you, Shawty say the nigga that she with can’t hit, But shawty, I’ma hit it, hit it like I can’t miss” Drake further showcases his swagger here, confident that he can deliver when others can’t, presenting himself as the superior romantic contender.
Drake ends the song with props “BlaqNmilD, you a genius, you diggin’ me?” An homage to BlaqNmilD, one of the producers of the track, wrapping up the track in a camaraderie-induced shout-out.
Overall, “In My Feelings” gives listeners a unique perspective into Drake’s headspace regarding love, loyalty, identity, but most importantly, it exposes the dichotomy he faces when dealing with the various expectations of women in his life.
