Released: 2018
“Nonstop” by Drake is a flex anthem where Drizzy boasts about his success, resilience, and dominance in the rap game. From the jump, he makes it clear he’s on a different level, shaking off competitors and doubters with his relentless drive and ambition.
Starting the track, Drake flips a switch, signifying a change in pace and intensity. He immediately claims, “I don’t know nobody else that’s doin’ this,” establishing his uniqueness. When he mentions, “bodies start to drop,” it’s a figurative way of saying others fall off as he rises. The line, “This a Rollie, not a stopwatch, shit don’t ever stop,” emphasizes that his success is continuous and unstoppable.
Drake demands respect, declaring he took his career in a different direction, much like being ambidextrous. Moving through London with the “Euro step” is a nod to a smooth basketball move, highlighting his effortless transition to international fame. The line “How I go from six to twenty-three like I’m LeBron?” cleverly refers to LeBron James’ jersey numbers, symbolizing his own rapid rise in status and influence.
In the next part, he boasts about his skills and presence, calling himself a “bar spitta” and “hard hitta.” Despite being light-skinned, he asserts he’s still fierce, using the term “dark nigga” to describe his gritty attitude. He goes on to mention he is “unforgivin’,” which shows he won’t easily forget or overlook slights from others.
The chorus reiterates his relentless success, with the phrase “This a Rollie, not a stopwatch, shit don’t ever stop,” repeating to underscore his continuous grind.
In the following verse, Drake talks about how he delegates responsibilities to his crew, but still gets his due respect and recognition. When he says, “Like I went blind, dog, you gotta hand it to me,” it means his achievements are so evident even the blind can see it. He talks about his loyalty to his brothers, splitting earnings and giving them opportunities.
By mentioning “Pinky ring ’til I get a wedding ring,” Drake is emphasizing his current focus on wealth and material success over settling down. Drake also boasts that his wealth is massive, comparing his palace to Buckingham, and his bills to “Williams,” showcasing his monumental financial success.
He ends by reiterating his resilience and dominance. “Money for revenge, man, that’s hardly an expense” shows he’s ready to retaliate against rivals without batting an eye. Finally, “This the flow that got the block hot, shit got super hot,” calls back to his impact on the streets and in the industry, reminding everyone of his undeniable influence.
