Drizzy parallels “rumor has it,” to show that even the rumors about him employing a ghost writer on “R.I.C.O” haven’t benefited anyone, including Meek and Funkmaster Flex.

His tone also implies the previous three rumours he mentions; having a ghost writer, running the rap game, and sleeping with Nicki Minaj, could be true or false – it’s up to the listener to decide.

Drake started his career as an actor on Degrassi: The Next Generation as Jimmy Brooks when he was 15. Now 28, Drake’s signed a $19 million dollar deal with Apple Music, supposedly struck by former head of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, to promote his brand.

This line carries the vibe of Eminem’s character Rabbit in the film 8 Mile, who during the final rap battle, rendered any insult worthless by making fun of himself. Sure, Drake was “wheelchair Jimmy,” but that guy’s worth $75 million now – can’t front on that!

Drake’s talking about a girl he trusts. This is new territory for him, considering he has a song called “Trust Issues” and often raps about his lack of trust in women. While he understands this girl needs space, it pains him to sit on the sidelines and see her get hurt.

The final lyric is interpolated from Tanya Stephen’s chorus on “These Streets.” Stephens is a Jamaican reggae artist. This comes as no surprise – Drake has been borrowing from the Caribbean for a minute.

Drake switches to the girl’s perspective to end his verse. This girl keeps her past behind her the same way a ponytail sits on the back of the head.

As hinted on in the hook, these lyrics reiterate this girl’s involvement in the “street” lifestyle – was she a stripper in a past life? Drizzy’s habit of “saving the stripper” dates back to his mixtape days, most notably the track “Houstatlantavegas.” Drake details his experience with an ambitious stripper he felt a connection to. He did the same on “The Real Her”:

Houston girls, love the way it goes down
Atlanta girls, love the way it goes down
Vegas girls, love the way it goes down

These lyrics were met with a mixed response. Some listeners have labelled this a low-blow, since Meek was vocal about the death of Sandra Bland on Twitter the same day he “exposed” Drake, while others have agreed with Drizzy, and feel there are bigger things (like the #BlackLivesMatter movement) that hip-hop should be focused on in 2015.

In any case, the former seems unintentional. Both rappers have spoken on police brutality in their music this year. Drake addressed the topic on “6 PM In New York,” while Meek did the same on “Ice Cream Freestyle.”

What’s more important is that in 2015 alone, over 600 lives have been taken by the police in the United States – and when taking into those unaccounted for, the number would rise to 928 persons per year. Rarely are police ever charged – only 41 officers were ever charged for manslaughter in the past 7 years.