IS DRAKE BLACK EXCELLENCE? | "SCARY HOURS" BREAKDOWN

If you missed the release of Drake’s Scary Hours, punch yourself in the face! The EP features two tracks, yes two. Both represent two sides of quintessential Drizzy. Both revel in Aubrey’s seemingly constant loneliness, basking in a life littered with jealousy and envy, the trappings of success. Both song's are dope and incredibly quotable. Here are four stand out verses.
Video By: Justin Hunte
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/ thecompanyman
NOTES:
TCM Store: thecompanyman.myshopify.com/
Views Chart Position: www.billboard.com/articles/co...
Drake's Political Awakening: www.theatlantic.com/entertain...
BET Drake Police Brutality Article: www.bet.com/music/2016/07/07/...
Drake Metacritic: www.metacritic.com/person/drak...
DAMN outsold More Life: www.complex.com/music/2017/04/...
ABOUT TCM:
Life Through The Lens of Hip Hop.
Justin Hunte is a former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX and creator of DX's popular series The Breakdown and #DXLive. Hunte has debated at the prestigious Oxford Union and is featured on Shade45's "All Out Show w/ Rude Jude," as well as Revolt TV’s “Revolt Live” Billboard magazine, digital campaigns for Lexus, Honda, Brisk, and Simple Mobile. Prior to joining HipHopDX, Hunte spent 5 years working in investment banking at Banc Of America/Merrill Lynch and has covered music, politics, and culture for numerous publications. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California.
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[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you for the comments and support, everyone! The hoodie I'm wearing is by the artist/emcee Dee-1 out of New Orleans. Here's the link if you'd like to order one: missionvisionlifestyle.com

[@gooseftw9992]

The Company Man I’m about to cop one.

[@bmst8236]

Dee 1 is legend

[@ThinkerHaistTV]

The Company Man Do a show about producers bro... We stay asking.

[@meliciogalarza4622]

The Company Man yeah just saw him in chicago, amazing show and after the show he sat down talking to his fans. He is one of the realest.

[@rasshanbo8933]

The Company Man 🤣😂😁😎 punch your self in the face love dat u always on point with ur p.o.v🇻🇮Ras

[@Shizomis]

HE GOT A BARMITZFAH AND CAN SAY NIGGA LMFAOOOOO

[@mapitizat]

That shit killed me instantly. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@danielroach7591]

That last line though..."Or is it tough to claim 'Black Excellence' when you keep black issues at a distance?"

[@sorchigo]

I think Drake is in a complicated spot when it comes to talking about racism. As said in the video he's the most corporate rapper probably ever so saying anything could cost him money but I think the biggest thing is because where he's from. Drake is Canadian, born in Toronto. I'm a 2.5 generation Jamaican-Canadian born in Mississauga, a city neighbouring Toronto, and I can tell you that race relations especially between black and white people is completely different here than it is in the States. Canada's national identity is very much tied to the idea of a Cultural Mosaic as opposed to Assimilation in America. You're encouraged to embrace your culture and ethnic background while others do the same with theirs. This concept is also why Canadians are hard to singularly define unlike Americans. There is no singular national cultural identity in Canada, it's a conglomeration of all of them. (I honestly wrote two paragraphs explaining this but let's be honest we're in the youtube comments so I'll spare you. If you're really interested Google Cultural Mosaic or Canada Cultural Mosaic and spend a few minutes reading to get a full grasp on the concepts). So, Realistically being from Toronto Drake probably didn't experience much racism, definitely not anything akin to a black man growing up in a place like Compton. Drake's bi-racial, he lived in a middle class era of one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world and that place is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities on the planet. Hell, Drake himself said the first time he experienced racism is when he first went to America when he got famous. Toronto police has a bad rap with black youth but we don't have the concentrated poverty that American cities have. Also the mass incarceration of black people in America is a phenomenon that doesn't/didn't exist in Canada. Historically, There were no large plantations in Canada during time of African slave trading and therefore no large slave work forces in Canada's history. This means that some of the worst traits of slavery there - the need for overseers, the horrible practices of forcing enslaved people to reproduce, and controls arising from fears of a uprising among enslaved people - did not happen in Canada. Slavery was also abolished in Canada in 1834 but it was already illegal to trade slaves due to Slave Trade Act in 1807. Plus the Underground Railroad was also a thing. Canada also doesn't have a history of Mass lynchings. The KKK only significant;y existed in Canada for about 8 years in the 1920's and had peak of about 50,000 - 70,000 members in Saskatchewan and always struggled to gain membership when holding engagements;while at the same time America was peaking at 4-6 million men in the entire country. I'm not saying it's Utopia up here, but racism (especially in Ontario) isn't really that serious unless you're an aboriginal. In fact the closest comparison to black racism in America would actually be aboriginal racism in Canada, they've been through systemic cleansing of their languages and heritage/culture in history that's horrific to even think about... Sorry for the long post but I was literally talking to one of my friends about this, this week.

[@Mf_Cooldawg]

Moving from Sauga to North York. I feel the difference. This is as close to hood as it gets here but still not close to America

[@ravanaRTT]

Great post man! learned a lot, thanks We have similarly complex race relations over here in the UK

[@jaleelkhaleeq]

i learned a lot from this post thanks for sharing

[@BIadelores]

The vast majority of places across the world have a COMPLETELY different race dynamic than the US, the US is very singular and odd in the way it treats its minorities. Not that any other place is perfect, but the US's history with racism - With things like the one drop rule and Jim Crow laws - is downright bizarre and anyone who doesn't live in the US either as a black/minority person or hell at the very least with a few minority friends could never hope to understand (Although whether or not there's anything to understand and it's not just plain confusing as fuck is up for debate). The whole thing with who can say Nigga and who can't alone is enough to make most anyone who isn't from the US scratching their head all night just to understand that dynamic. Drake might be half black but he has never struggled with anything that an average black man in the US has to struggle with - He's never even struggled economically. This doesn't mean that his input in these problems isn't valid but it does mean that he doesn't have the perspective that someone who has actually experienced them has and so he could never hope to describe them with any kind of real nuance.

[@neanderthalslayer]

First Nations People don’t believe you Black Americans are the only group that Still refuses to assimilate Caribbeans Africans are mostly European by culture they celebrate all the European holidays and aspire to be more like Europeans You pretend that racial relations are different between two different groups of colonizers

[@christopherwashington2460]

One of these days you're gonna have the answers to those questions and everyone is gonna lose their shit.

[@TheCompanyMan]

**birdman handrub**

[@wwxxww6289]

LOL! Establishment will crumble!

[@Veeriche]

The day has come

[@fsmfsm9941]

Loved this piece. It's definitely strange seeing Drake be somewhat bothered by the fact that he's not celebrated for being a black artist.. but then again, he has never portrayed himself as being one, and as you said he keeps an arm's length away from social issues. He's never been one to rep black empowerment like someone like Diddy or Charlamgne Tha God, so it makes no sense for him to be bothered by his lack of association with the term black excellence.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you FSM!

[@fsmfsm9941]

That is true,, but you gotta rep your skin color and your people if you want to be celebrated as a black artist.

[@Michael-pl9lw]

@@fsmfsm9941 100%

[@jeremyseven9468]

Only reason I clicked on this video is because your opinions are good, close to great, but that background you got, is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik. Fux wit u bro.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Jeremy Seven thank you Jeremy. That’s love, bro.

[@jeremyseven9468]

The Company Man no doubt

[@jeremyseven9468]

I can't stand Drake...lol

[@BlackySpeakz]

Great video Justin. 🐐

[@nayfin308]

I wonder if Drake would be more synonymous with black excellence if he had ditched the Degrassi bars for Degrass roots politics???

[@Lanz22]

Josh a BARS!

[@taylorlayton4508]

tied it together there at the end he has a hard time claiming black excellence because he hasn't been claiming his blackness. thanks always

[@rubix187]

Drake is like the Lionel Richie of rap. He doesn’t have to relate to black strife as long as he’s making hits and accepted by the culture

[@RuDiDevino]

Damn man. Lol.

[@markdeejay86]

Nailed it.

[@LowercaseKev]

To be fair Jay Z just now starting to tackle black issues now.

[@Sunnynoir_]

Diplomatic Immunity sounds like it should have a time and a city in the title

[@thewintersoldier383]

The Lord Darkskin 7 pm in Germany

[@trocknorway3990]

2am in Transylvania

[@lunasmileyy]

I don’t think i’ve ever heard Justin say nigga before this video lmao

[@TheCompanyMan]

Luis Luna not a word I use unless I’m quoting. This is the exception.

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

Glad you're feeling better, even if not 100% I have an odd relationship to Drakes music, I would stop short of calling myself a fan, but he also just has soooo many songs that make my head bob when they come on. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me most of his music comes across as fairly shallow (allow the hate to begin here...) But that being said it still sparks something and get's you moving. His success outside of hip hop is undeniable, from a business and branding perspective he is second to none. what he has done with regards to brand building and marketing has been amazing.

[@TheCompanyMan]

I think Drake's an incredible role model. He's pretty clean all things considered. He's not lathered in negativity. He makes largely positive music. He's Black Excellence to me. Just such an interesting line. How you been man? I'm headed to the grammys today. I'll send you some shots.

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

I can't argue with anything you just said there.... On point. I've been good, just super busy traveling all over right now. I literally just got back from Kuala Lumpur, I'm off to Borneo next week, then back to KL then Indonesia then Vietnam, HK, Singapore, Japan, Philippines, India. It's gonna be a crazy year. BTW I laid the ground work for my plan to get you out to Asia for a speaking gig at the end of the year. I should have some more insights on it after my next trip to KL. But first responses were overall positive to the idea, now it just has to work it's way up the ladder. Enjoy the Grammys! That's gonna be exciting!

[@borntolive6489]

Drake has said "girls becoming ladies/and my friends are having babies/and babies are dropping dead in my city /the shit is crazy/and I don't know if speaking on it helps/this is what's on my mind I keep it to myself". Drake has always supported and donated to black causes but he just doesn't put it in his music

[@superdupeninja8149]

borntolive He would be more respected if he did...music is his biggest platform

[@YetiCoolBrother]

I always thought it was slightly unfair of people to expect Drake to be more in tune with the culture on a socioeconomic & political level simply because he's not from America. It's the same reason why Black Americans don't always identify and/or speak on the struggles of African people in their respective countries. That being said though, that same sentiment is why it's kind of awkward to consider him an example of Black excellence.

[@darrellwilliams9168]

Young King Kush we know Drake isn’t an American but I’m sure black Canadians have some sort of struggle (I could be wrong it could be all good for them up there) to speak about. But you don’t have to be from a country to speak about their struggles like Nas did or Bob Marley. I really don’t expect Drake to be an activist in any sort of way but to be mostly silent on issues I’m sure his Americans friends or even himself possibly (being in America so much) has faced is kinda disappointing but oh well he is getting money I guess

[@skootermcirish]

Young King Kush I’m from Canada and I can empathize and relate to the culture. He may not be able to represent the American Black struggle but he can sure as fuck be offended by it.

[@YetiCoolBrother]

Both yall bring up good points, I've never talked to an actual Canadian person about the this. You're definitely right but I never got the feeling Drake didn't care about the movement or the struggle, he just doesn't speak on it; this is most likely due to his business endorsements Justin brought up in the vid.

[@YetiCoolBrother]

I might just be falling for his PR team's marketing scheme tho so I digress 😅😅

[@TomikaKelly]

Drake doesn't have to be American to speak on issues that affect his kinfolk from America. He's NOT a local Canadian artist; he makes a great deal of his money from American consumers, has plenty of shows in the U.S., and is endorsed by American companies. That's enough for him to know better.

[@paulcalixte2223]

Excellent work as always. Have to ask: when are we getting that "Hip Hop & Islam" breakdown?

[@zackfranklin6912]

Justin did it again and "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That"! Love it homie.

[@josephmaelo]

I think when Kendrick said there is a difference between accomplishments and astonishments in Heart pt 4 he had a point , Drake has accomplished a lot but he feels there is something missing

[@TheCompanyMan]

Agreed.

[@TheSethcast]

If Drake started making political statements in his music I guarantee you everyone would be calling it "cringy." He's huge and most of his fanbase doesn't want to hear that stuff from him.

[@TheCompanyMan]

I think that's part of it too. i generally think people of influence in any field of human endeavor have a social responsibility. I definitely think it makes for a more well rounded artist/emcee. But I don't think anyone should have to talk about social issues if they don't want to. These days, there's a lot on the line. Look what happened with Em's numbers...

[@enigmasept927]

I think the 'Black Excellence' line was a shot back at K.Dot's "Black artist, wack artist" line. Plus, a lowkey shot at Jay-Z as well.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Classic drizzy. Thanks, Enigma.

[@Ramboshustle]

Who cares about critics. Fans will forever make or break the art.

[@khulekanimagubane9153]

Well he did say: "And I heard someone say something that stuck with me a lot Bout how we need protection from those protectin' the block Nobody lookin' out for nobody Maybe we should try and help somebody or be somebody Instead of bein' somebody that makes the news So everybody can tweet about it And then they start to RIP about it And four weeks later nobody even speaks about it Damn, I just had to say my piece about it"

[@TheCompanyMan]

Khulekani Magubane love those lines.

[@khulekanimagubane9153]

Yup. I'm as harsh on Drizzy as anyone, but he drops gems when he wants to.

[@JamesTechJackin]

Dope bars

[@sauloborges5591]

You gotta love it

[@NaturalCal]

I always considered that line to be about gang violence not police brutality. Either way it’s still dope and still him tackling black issues. I wish he did it more but like mans said it’s not really on brand for him

[@yoshiwall5870]

Drake is the MJ of this generation. Not an off year, he is the only rapper to break Elvis records. He is dominating the streaming era and he has singlehandedly made hip hop the most commercially dominant genre, and ultimately converted it into the sound of the generation. Black music is finally on top again. Also he's still breaking records 9 years later. Walking legend

[@jordanrogers4981]

Yoshi Wall respect your opinion but I feel like you horribly wrong, Drake has been talking about the same things for 9 years. To me he’s not a rapper at all, he’s a pop star equivalent to Taylor Swift, that can occasionally spit. Maybe your right regarding him being a legend, but it’s just not for hip hop, it would be pop

[@ianburgess9141]

he weak his music all the same; I'm sad women left me, I got a lot of money, I'm at the top even if women left me bc I have money

[@Vincinate]

Ian Burgess None of the fact changes the fact he's a rapper tho, lot's of rappers talk about those things

[@bubabuba3848]

you clown drake raps and sings and has been doing so... do people who say drake does not rap do you think that makes you smart... whats Lauren hill whats Andre 3000 are they rappers or pop stars stop with the bull man

[@dalilinfant5170]

Tony Grant Alot of rappers are wack

[@seaberry11]

Drake is black Excellence, he just isn’t always good at being Excellently Black. He’s like Jordan, he has all the success and accolades but rarely stands for anything. It’s a personal choice but it can’t take away from what you’ve done, it just shows you have further to go.

[@isaacdebeila8085]

yeah but jordan is called black excellence he claimed his blackhood and has the the black background too, he just doesnt stand up for the community but he does deal with black matter that arent political or polarizing...

[@seaberry11]

isaac debeila I said Jordan was black Excellence...he like Drake though don’t get involved with Black issues.

[@bubabuba3848]

Bare stands for anything well maybe if you pay attention you will know the following. BE us someone that is black and portrays great qualities and abilities that make the black community proud. - Drake donated $22,500 to a mother in Ohio who lost her boyfriend and five children in a fire. - Drake announced he would be donating an entire recording studio to Strawberry Mansion High School - HAW which is basically a four-day festival every summer which money from that goes to charity To say drake is not black excellence makes no sense

[@seaberry11]

Buba Buba I never said he wasn’t Black Excellence, I literally started of my comment saying he was, also standing for something and doing charity is two different things. I was commenting on the video and the point of him finally speaking out on something (which as stated in the video was the first time) being rare. It is ok to have an objective opinion on Drake, I know he’s black and Jewish but...he’s not Jesus lol.

[@seaberry11]

Buba Buba also, every celebrity does charity, that doesn’t make them excellent.

[@dyldragon1]

I thought Danny Brown and Paul White dropped a two track LP called Accelerator

[@jjjd12346]

also death grips live from death valley ep

[@cinquemuhammad9176]

Why does The Company Man have the best news segment on KZbin?! And why do I constantly hit the page hoping that he'll start uploading new videos daily?!......I don't have the answers to these questions!!!

[@chrisa4627]

ANOTHER ONE IN THE BOOKS ✌keep killing it man

[@mateocordova9553]

that hoodie changed my life!

[@Baldinosalvador]

Views only got a "flaccid 69". LOL have a speedy recovery man

[@TheCompanyMan]

Glad you caught that! Ha!

[@Marilyninthemedia]

Aaaaaah. I’m glad to see you’re back. We missed you bro!

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks, Marilyn! Embattled couple of weeks, but back and blazing.

[@3024017]

As always, brilliant and thought provoking. stay winning brother

[@TranscendentalMental]

I dont listen to Drake's music, wish him the best in whatever he does I just dont rock with him.

[@GJones712]

As always, well said. We need more of this type of discussion in hip hop. Thanks for filling that void.

[@PedroPetipa]

Another great video! Thanks for sharing your views as usual. Always dope! Keep it up!💪🏽

[@gskaterock]

Those last 4 minutes were gold, great perspective on the topic. Nice job

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks AfroNoMo. Great username!

[@erikchristensen174]

Regarding that last question you asked: The black experience in Canada really is quite different. The Toronto police might have a bad record with over-policing black youth but we don't have the concentrated poverty levels that American cities have, nor do we have the history of lynching and mass incarceration. Canada's experience is much more like the U.K.'s. Drake, however, is half-American, so his heritage is in these issues despite not being exposed to them growing up.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Well said, Erik. Thanks for the distinction.

[@kearabernard4493]

"is it hard to claim black excellence if you keep black issues at a distance." such a good question. I personally don't think you can. he made it obvious he wasn't trying to hurt his brand by staying quiet.which is cool, but there's younger artist with a while lot more to lose fighting for the cause (joey badass). don't stick up for the community when its convenient for yourself. especially when you have the power to actually do something. not saying drake needs to drop his version of tpab,but cmon son. all he raps about is dancing. not once had he ever rapped about black issues lol

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks, Keara. Drake literally sparked a new thought. I hadn't necessarily thought about what adds up to black excellence or if black excellence is a domestic accomplishment. I always thought of him as such. He's a fantastic role model. But he's noticeably disconnected from these issues despite his championing of Houston and Memphis, etc. Hearing him question it on wax was a complete surprise.

[@jemand7488]

Keara Bernard couldn’t have said it better

[@mattd5932]

This is great content... I felt a way when I heard the black excellence line to. This is the only hip hop show that I know about it that would even talk about something like this

[@darejohnson2251]

Dope as always. You voiced a question that popped into my head when I heard that line do thank you for diving into that

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you Dare!

[@FrenchieCorndog]

One of the best episodes in a while, keep up the good work Justin!

[@keynanmickens3907]

Ayy shout out Dee-1 and Slingshot David. Also, I was thinking about Drakes black excellence line and his lack of dialogue on racial issues. And I think the most he's said outside of what you talked about is his lines regarding racial identity in SNL black jeapordy.

[@Shizomis]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Always love your content

[@Welsed]

This truly made me think about making art of any kind and distancing yourself from social issues happening in your community. And it's a single, with a B side. Sheesh!

[@HankYarbo]

Another excellent piece! Great work Justin.

[@portcitypro.]

Love the hoodie bro 👌🏾👌🏾

[@TheCompanyMan]

Courtesy of Dee-1! missionvisionlifestyle.com

[@reekhigh5789]

Oh shit, I better leave a funny/insightful comment if I wanna get a free T-Shirt! Umm..let's see.. Is Logic black excellence? I don't have the answer to these questions.

[@TheCompanyMan]

HAHAHAHAH!

[@reekhigh5789]

He's Biexcellence.

[@yizhaqdesirebey5138]

Glad you are feeling better bro. Another great one. You help make us fans listened more critically to our musical DNA. Thank you and keep it up!

[@TheCompanyMan]

Zaco Dizzy thanks zaco 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@docrussojr]

Drake took the "Michael Jordan" route while impacting the genre. Much like Jordan, Drake has a multicultural fan base. If they talk about "Black American issues", it would completely isolate their entire fan base (other cultures don't want to be bombarded by one culture's issue, that they have never experienced). Isolating your fan base is one of the the worst things you could do (Eminem's latest album as an example). Jordan has this famous quote, *"Republicans buy my shoes too.."* This quote highlights the role Jordan, and what Drake ultimately plays in social issues.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Agreed. I wrote a piece for DX last year about that. Think Jordan is Black Excellence? Personally, I do.

[@Zimri_]

This is true... but why live a life with no purpose. You’ve built a platform now make a difference. What’s the point in the money power fame if you can’t make improvements on the lives of others. Where is the satisfaction? We are all human we are all connected and we will all fall together or rise. It’s the ones with power that will decide our fate. Or is selfish accomplishments satisfying enough?

[@docrussojr]

The Company Man Jordan embodies Black Excellence. And though he isn't so vocal politically, he still helps the Black community tremendously. Yeah I know his shoes are expensive, but think of his impact on Black athletes. He also employs some of the greatest Black athletes. And we can't deny the link between the Jordan brand and Hip-hop.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Amen.

[@docrussojr]

armani khan There's two answers to this. 1) Some of the leaders have opposing views, and don't want to take the heat for it. And like I said in my earlier comment, when you have a multicultural fan base you don't want to isolate your fans. A lot of the artist and leaders on major platforms are conscientious of their fan base, and don't want to lose their platforms and/or fortune. In this day and age, you say the wrong thing, and shows won't cast you, venues won't take you, and endorsements will leave you. It's the safer route to remain silent. It's harder to gain and easier to lose. 2) Others leaders don't care to broadcast every move they do. Because if they did, it just turns into a publicity campaign. You can impact a community without saying a word. Remember actions speak louder than words.

[@taylorbrewing]

Fantastic video! Love it as always

[@040flo]

I think it’s great to have Drake talking about social issues he has influence and can change things for the better ... get well soon ^^

[@TheCompanyMan]

I do, too. I tend think people of great influence have a responsibility to humanity.

[@loganhiltibidal799]

Unpopular opinion: Inspectah Deck is the best Wu rapper

[@vladimirklizschko9337]

MYJEEP GOSKEEERT he truly is to me. Listen to Czarface and tell me he isnt the best lyricist NOWADAYS (outta wu)

[@buckfastbjork6968]

Agreed, no debate he's the best on enter the Wu tang

[@thapoint09]

He killed "Above the Clouds".

[@meliciogalarza4622]

I like how you rocking the Dee-1 hoodie 💪

[@BRight298]

I'm not a Drake fan even slightly but once I saw you had a new video I had to watch it! Good to know your feeling better from sickness.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks BRight!

[@ryanharrison9501]

I didn't even think this was a question to be asked but after I saw the video I'm amazed as usual. Breaking barriers in Hip-hop/music journalism, keep up the good work Justin.

[@eloygarcia3220]

Love the questions at the end. Great stuff! Love your channel

[@ianhenry6874]

Much love and respect ❤️🙏👌🏿. Always making quality videos!!! I’m glad you’re feeling better, Justin.

[@amnrob101]

This is a great thought provoking episode... hope Drake watches

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you Rob!

[@RimaNisMcQueen]

Great breakdown. Pretty eye-opening as well.

[@joshward7232]

Great piece, hope your feeling better. Watching from England 😁

[@Jon97han]

You're totally right about Drake Justin! I don't even listen to that guy but boy has he made an impact..

[@stanzag470]

lol...flaccid 69... Ok I'll just show myself out...

[@ngcebomalinga1793]

Sometimes I wish I could like twice 😔👏👏👏👏 great video

[@philaru8012]

Good to see you well enough to keep the channel moving. Lots of respect for the solid effort. Hope you’re 100% soon

[@tdubasdfg]

Very good points made here ✊🏾

[@asa355]

Sunday... You need to step your game up

[@TheCompanyMan]

You're right. The flu last week. Grammy week this week. Next week will be normal, fortunately.

[@muntasirali8636]

Great video as always Justin, you're the one keeping hip-hop interesting.

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you Muntasir!

[@Ramboshustle]

Great question about black excellence. Are Hip-Hop artists no longer expected to tackle social issues outside of strippers paying college tuition? I hope not.

[@c3s4r612mx]

Another great video Justin as always. I hope you can do a breakdown about Latinos influence on Hip Hop culture.

[@jamilljones2264]

Wat influence do dey have???

[@jfraz1992]

Drake is back whether y’all like it or not 🔥🔥🔥

[@seanstroman6087]

LOVE this Breakdown man 👊🏿👍🏿

[@TheCompanyMan]

THANK YOU SEAN!

[@seanstroman6087]

TBD Breakdown glad your 100 % Justin 🙏🏿

[@Topself24]

Love the hoodie

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you, T!

[@WesleyRocco]

Glad to see you back doing yo thing Jus!

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thank you Wesley!

[@Junboframe]

new year and a not so negative article about drake , now you getting to the great journalism

[@TheCompanyMan]

#Progress

[@wwxxww6289]

Hella-agree, Justin; #Progress indeed. Who's out here making an argument for Drake?? Love how u see the positive, the cultural aspects of whoever you're talking about. While I don't like much of Drake's stuff (tbh, my fave song is Acrylo's meme mashup w Drake & the Animal Crossing game music lol--check out Acrylo's soundcloud rapper/vid game music channel on yt, it's the only one that matters IMO ) the lion's share of my exposure to his music is criticism and memes. I had no idea about half of what Drake was about til I watched this video, now I feel like I've given him no chance whatsoever which is not how I picture myself. I was shocked to findd out Drake's relationship to Excellence. I just assumed he was a great big cultural W, despite how pop he is. I mean look at Beyonce, would anyone question her Excellence? She IS pop. But Bey is a role model, a queen and very vocal. I guess to be considered Excellent it has to part of your brand and you have to be vocal? That doesn't seem fair to me. It makes me think of Kevin Abstract's line " I do the most for the culture/by just existing." I am white, I am on the outside, but hip hop / rap is such a big part of my musical world I feel invested. Idk if this is TMI but this is what was in my head after this vid. Glad ur on the mend, and I would very much like to see you specifically address LGBQ issues in the rap/hip hop community. It seems like a discussion's been a long time coming. Peace!

[@wwxxww6289]

*LGBTQ

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks group hug! I'm a huge brockhampton fan. You dropped one of my favorite lines from KA. I'm doing a piece on them that will inevitably touch on those issues.

[@TheBatosai]

Justin, what can we do to get a daily show like this with you in it? I would love that

[@TheCompanyMan]

I think we're closer than ever. Been doing a lot of behind the scenes to build the infrastructure going forward. Been on my mind since last year. It's all happening.

[@TheBatosai]

The Company Man i love it, can't wait.

[@aintnothingchanged2697]

Another amazing episode, glad you better man had the flu myself. If you gonna do that uk video pls cover 67, slowthai and j hus too (u.k. drill, u.k. grime and garage, uk afrobeat) ❤️

[@TheCompanyMan]

I'll definitely keep them on the radar. Feeling better?

[@DPAFLESHER]

This might just be the cynic in me, but is it possible Drake only started speaking out once all the lines in the sand were already drawn? As someone who is as company-affiliated as Drake is, is it possible that corporations didn't want him stirring up anything, until the successes of the J. Coles and Kendricks of the world made it clear that speaking out is more commercially palpable than staying silent? Does it go back to another black figure at the top of his sphere, Michael Jordan, who had said that Republicans buy sneakers too? I don't have the answers to these question

[@TheCompanyMan]

Dan Flesher all factors, I’m sure. I definitely think of Jordan as black excellence. Drake as well

[@OofieDooples]

The Company Man This is your first opinion I disagree with. How many kids died for their Js since the 90s? 200 a pair, smh If you see black children die for your brand, and you do nothing to stop it your disqualified from black excellence. Shaq is black excellence #DrunkMan "#StillOnlyADub

[@lord2ndgoodvibes]

Im glad that you are feeling better justin

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks, Arbnor.

[@Anrkissmorris]

love the hoodie

[@TheCompanyMan]

Thanks Dean!

[@gjelbrim7281]

I'm kinda glad that drake isn't sitting on the sidelines anymore

[@ohsosaucy]

The thing is when a Canadian, or another nation, talk about American people are gonna be like "what does a non-american know about American issues?"

[@gaiaartemis]

Ohsosaucy Canadians pay a hell of a lot of attention to American issues, at least in BC they do.

[@ohsosaucy]

Mack Dyck I'm not saying we don't I'm just saying when we comment on it it mostly seen as what do we know. Maybe it's just me

[@jermainemcclain2818]

Ohsosaucy Drake is pretty much american

[@TreFKennedy]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 breakdown Justin

[@KorskiMusic]

Man I love your breakdowns, I feel that I'm learning and expanding my view by just watching them. Love to MURS for taking your place, I think both of you have the knowledge to do this type of videos. Peace

[@tavinbothel5158]

Invents the 2 song ep? Justin stop

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Glad you’re over the flu brother ! God bless.

[@frankbruno6207]

i swear j. hunte's vids are my soul food lol

[@xavierjchis]

I've been waiting for this big bro :]

[@MrKing8050]

2 songs alone are better than More Life

[@Radawwe]

Dope video I agree with you 100%

[@Whatthetrash]

1.) That hoodie is amazing. 2.) This episode was really cool as well. Hope you continue to feel better. Much respect! :)

[@adriangalvez3507]

Great video!

[@rapbrown4133]

If your actions and heart is for the betterment of humanity thats black excellence. It has nothing to do with coming up rich or poor, nothing to do with self-serving accolades. Just pure unadulterated love and support for humanity at large. With that being said the topic could be purple excellence, but since we are talking black I guess I'll stay on topic. Now, with all things considered, Mr. Drake should ask himself; Am I black excellence?

[@TheCompanyMan]

Agreed, RB. Thank you.

[@CallmeLQ]

Yo, I love your response.

[@rapbrown4133]

Dont thank me. Thank humanity. I couldn't have made that comment myself.

[@y.r.nnexus1214]

Great video man 👍🏾

[@gauravjoshi2600]

Liked the video before even watching

[@HelloNewWorldPodcast]

I like ya style son! New fan love from Boston !!!

[@sbgcofficial6785]

Great video damn

[@newJC.]

He dropped More Life on a Saturday evening and still sold 500k first week! Imagine if he dropped on a Thursday night like everybody else

[@debodatta7398]

More Life was a playlist too not an album

[@CuteJose]

Joelle Carrion real talk! And also he didn’t even promote that album. Drop that shit and went on vacation. And people want to talk shit without the fact.

[@saveme2000]

Joelle Carrion more life was a playlist but also it was released digitally only no music videos or anything and Apple Music exclusivity while Kendrick had physical copies + digital + videos and That’s why he sold more if drake had done the same he would have definitely sold way more

[@ElYoungE]

Is it also fair to say that Drake knows his audience? Drake fans bump Drake songs wherever and whenever like Shakira. They play him in at parties, clubs, while they're driving at night, while playing 2k and everywhere in between. I love Kendrick as much as I love Drake, but you don't go around breaking streaming records while being a "conscious rapper." Drake knows that. Great video and that was just a point I wanted to raise.

[@TheCompanyMan]

I definitely think there's a lot of that in there as well. I'm not saying he should or shouldn't talk about social issues. There's a major money/audience concern, especially in these polarized times. But the question is whether black excellence comes with a social responsibility.

[@darrellwilliams9168]

Issiah Aguilar nobody is saying Drake has to become a full conscience rapper but he rarely if ever raps about social issues. I mean even Macklemore has songs about social issues and we know who his audience is. I’d rather an artist use his platform to spread a message and not just to make money and hits but aye he can do whatever he wants. Much success to the guy