Ranking Drake’s Top 10 Intro Tracks

A first impression can positively (or negatively) impact so many aspects of life. Similarly in music that first impression, or introductory song, can truly set the tone for an album. It has become apparent that Drake understands just how important an intro song is. Over the last 10+ years, Drake has used his intro songs to make a musical first impression on the listener.

This latest esLists post takes a look at 10 Drake intro tracks and ranks them in descending order from worst to best.

10. “Survival”

Album: Scorpion (2018)

Producer(s): 40, No I.D.

To me, “Survival” easily comes in at the #10 spot. This song was more about Drake getting a few things off of his chest following the very public feud with Pusha T. It is Drake’s most tame intro song in his entire catalog. He utilizes the same flow for the entire song. Scorpion doesn’t truly start until the next song, “Nonstop”, begins.

9. “Free Smoke”

Album: More Life (2017)

Producer(s): Boi-1da, Ritter, Akira Woodgrain

This cut from Drake’s “playlist” album is a fun listen which starts off with a soulful sample from a song called “Building a Ladder” by an Australian band called Hiatus Kaiyote. It’s an upbeat track in which Drake lets any of his past and potential challengers that he’s ready for whatever comes his way. I love this song. It coming in at #9 shows just how many great intro records that Drake has.

8. “Deep Pockets”

Album: Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020)

Producer: 40, Plain Pat

One of Drake’s lesser celebrated intros comes in at #8. This song was recorded while Drake was making his 2018 Scorpion album and it never made the final track list. It’s a smooth listen from beginning to end.

7. “Keep the Family Close”

Album: Views (2016)

Producer: Bidaye

This slow building record took a very long time to grow on me. This song’s production is top notch and it honestly sounds it would be perfect for The Weeknd.

6. “Champagne Poetry”

Album: Certified Lover Boy (2021)

Producer(s): 40, Masego, Maneesh, Schlohmo

The beat from this intro track is a direct sample from Masego’s 2017 song “Navajo”. Masego’s song itself samples the 1965 song “Michelle” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and performed by The Beatles. Similar to Drake’s intro from Nothing Was The Same, “Champagne Poetry” features a beat switch-up about midway through the song. Throughout the song, Drake simultaneously reflects on his successes and his struggles. It sets a very solemn tone to the beginning of Certified Lover Boy.

5. “Fireworks” featuring Alicia Keys

Album: Thank Me Later (2010)

Producer(s): 40, Boi-1da, Crada

The sounds of fireworks popping are the sounds that open up Drake’s first studio album. Drake uses “fireworks” as a metaphor for how his career was about to take off. Drake shares the hook with Alicia Keys. She is actually the only official featured artist on any of Drake’s intro tracks (excluding the What a Time to be Alive mixtape).

4. “Legend”

Album: If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)

Producer: PartyNextDoor

My favorite part about this intro is how seamlessly PartyNextDoor samples Ginuwine’s classic “So Anxious” throughout the song. Not all samples are created equal and PND did this particular sample justice. The If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Drake was Drake in his musical prime in my opinion. “Legend” is a unique and effortless record that grows on you after multiple listens.

3. “Lust for Life”

Album: So Far Gone (2009)

Producer: 40

This monumental intro track stands for so much in Drake’s career. It is the intro to the 2009 So Far Gone mixtape which largely helped Drake get his first taste of mainstream commercial success. Nothing else really sounded like “Lust for Life” in hip hop at this time. 40 brilliantly samples Tears for Fears’ 1983 song “Ideas as Opiates”. I personally love “Lust for Life”, and for many of us, it was one of the first Drake songs we ever heard.

2. “Over My Dead Body”

Album: Take Care (2011)

Producer(s): 40, Kreviazuk

The intro to Drake’s Grammy Award winning Take Care album comes in at #2 on this list. Canadian singer, Chantal Kreviazuk sings the emotional chorus. Similar to many of Drake’s other intros, he uses this one to let his competitors in hip hop know that only “over my dead body” can they take his place. There’s something special about “Over My Dead Body” that is the perfect intro to Take Care.

1. “Tuscan Leather”

Album: Nothing Was The Same (2013)

Producer: 40

Additional Programming: Boi-1da, Nineteen85

The intro to Nothing Was The Same is Drake’s undisputed best intro Drake. 40 handles the production with drum help from Boi-1da and Nineteen85. 3 different beats are featured on this intro! “How much time is this n***a spending on the intro?” 3 different beats on one track allows Drake to showcase his versatility by utilizing various flows throughout this 6 minute, 6 second song. Named after the Tom Ford fragrance, “Tuscan Leather” is Drake’s best and most elaborate intro song.

Thank you for reading this latest esLists post. Please vote in the poll below to show love for your personal favorite Drake intro song.