Controlla

"Controlla" is a song about intense, consuming love and devotion, framed within a dancehall-inspired musical landscape. The central theme revolves around the singer, Drake, willingly ceding control to a woman he is deeply infatuated with. The term "Controlla" itself is a patois slang for "controller," signifying the woman's power over his emotions and actions. The lyrics express a readiness to do anything for her, from lying to dying, a level of commitment highlighted by the reference to Jodeci's classic R&B song "Cry For You". The song explores a dynamic of power and passion, where Drake finds pleasure in her dominance. It also touches on themes of jealousy and loyalty, as Drake contrasts his meaningful connection with her against the superficial interests of other women who are only after his fame and fortune. The inclusion of a Beenie Man sample and the use of patois ground the song in Caribbean culture, reflecting a fusion of sounds and a narrative of passionate, almost possessive, love.

The narrative begins as the singer's entire mood shifts the moment his love interest arrives, buzzing the front gate. He expresses immense relief and gratitude for her presence, questioning how he could have waited any longer for her. This reunion is something he has meticulously planned and is determined to see through. The depth of his devotion quickly escalates as he declares his willingness to lie and even die for her, a sentiment he emphasizes by referencing the intense R&B ballad "Cry For You" by Jodeci. This establishes the central theme: he is completely under her spell, willing to do whatever she desires, as if she is the 'controlla' of his actions.

He acknowledges her power in their dynamic, admitting she enjoys it when he becomes aggressive, guiding him to move slower or faster at her command. This give-and-take reinforces the idea of her control. He assures her that he is serious and not wasting time, contrasting his genuine feelings with the superficial intentions of other women who are only interested in his money. These other women, he claims, are envious and do not want to see him find true love or happiness with her. They watch with jealousy, knowing the lengths he would go to for his partner.

The song then incorporates authentic Jamaican Patois, vividly describing a scene of passionate desire where women are tearing at his clothes, desperate to be with him. This interlude, sampled from Beenie Man, serves to heighten the sense of raw, physical attraction that surrounds him, yet his focus remains on his one specific love interest. He sets boundaries for their relationship, insisting she cannot disrespect him and then offer a simple apology, nor can she betray his trust by sharing his private conversations. He reveals a history between them, stating his "old flex is my new flex now," implying they are rekindling a past romance and are actively working on it. This history explains the intensity of his feelings and why he needs all the positive energy she brings to him. He contrasts her with a past lover who would tear him down emotionally and was selfish, never willing to share. For his current love, however, his devotion is limitless, reiterating his readiness to lie and die for her, solidifying her ultimate control over his heart and actions.

"Controlla" was recorded in 2015 and released as the fourth single from Drake's fourth studio album, Views, on June 7, 2016. The song was produced by a team including Boi-1da, Supa Dups, Di Genius, and Allen Ritter. A notable part of its history involves two different versions. An earlier version of the track, which featured Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan, was leaked online on March 29, 2016. However, for the official album release, Popcaan's verse was removed. The final version instead features an outro and a prominent sample from "Tear Off Mi Garment" by another dancehall legend, Beenie Man. The creation of "Controlla" was part of Drake's broader exploration of dancehall and Afro-Caribbean sounds, which was a significant stylistic direction for the Views album. Producer Boi-1da mentioned he was creating dancehall tracks to bring back a different energy to music, and after making the beat for Rihanna's "Work," he was still in that creative zone when he developed the track for "Controlla". The song was written by a large team, including Drake, the producers, and the writers of the sampled Beenie Man track.

"Controlla" is built upon a relaxed, mid-tempo dancehall and Afrobeat rhythm, which creates a sensual and characteristic island vibe perfect for dancing. The song's tempo is steady, encouraging a rhythmic sway that complements the lyrical themes of control and intimacy. The rhythmic structure is less complex than traditional rap, focusing more on a consistent, hypnotic groove. The interplay between the mellow musical rhythm and Drake's melodic, often softly delivered lyrical rhythm is central to the song's appeal. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and often employs couplets (AABB) and frequent repetition, particularly in the chorus. For example, in the verses, Drake often uses pairs of rhyming lines like, "I made plans with you / And I won't let 'em fall through." The hook's repetition of the word "controlla" acts as a rhythmic and lyrical anchor, making it highly memorable. The rhymes are mostly perfect rhymes, contributing to the song's smooth, pop-friendly feel rather than the more complex internal and slant rhymes often found in more lyrical hip-hop tracks.

"Controlla" is a prime example of Drake's stylistic fusion of genres, blending his signature R&B and hip-hop sensibilities with prominent global sounds. Musically, the song is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo dancehall rhythm, characterized by its distinctive Caribbean percussion and bassline, which gives it a sensual, swaying feel. This dancehall and Afrobeat influence was a key aesthetic for the entire Views album. Drake's vocal delivery is melodic and smooth, often slipping into a gentle, crooning style that aligns with the song's romantic and devotional themes. He also incorporates Jamaican Patois into his lyrics, enhancing the track's Caribbean vibe. A significant production technique is the use of sampling; the final version prominently features a sample of Beenie Man's 1995 track "Tear Off Mi Garment," which adds a layer of dancehall authenticity and pays homage to the genre's roots. Lyrically, the song employs direct address and repetition to create a sense of intimacy and insistence. The use of hyperbole (e.g., "I think I'd die for you") and cultural references (Jodeci) serves to heighten the emotional weight of his declarations.

"Controlla" was a significant commercial success and played a key role in the mainstream popularization of dancehall and Afrobeat sounds in the mid-2010s. As a single from the massively successful album Views, it reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 in the UK. The song, along with "One Dance" and "Work," solidified Drake's reputation as a global pop star who could seamlessly incorporate international sounds into his music. This popularization, however, also sparked debate about cultural appropriation. A controversy arose because an early leaked version featured Jamaican artist Popcaan, who was removed from the final album version in favor of a Beenie Man sample. This led some critics, including fellow artist Sean Paul, to argue that Drake was benefiting from dancehall culture without giving proper credit or platform to its originators. Despite the controversy, the song was a summer anthem in 2016 and remains one of the defining tracks of Drake's foray into Caribbean-influenced music, showcasing his ability to blend genres and create global hits.

The song uses several key symbols and metaphors to convey its themes of love, devotion, and control.

• The "Controlla": The central metaphor of the song, the word "controlla" (a patois spelling of controller) symbolizes the woman's power over Drake. It's likened to a video game controller, suggesting she can direct his actions and he willingly obliges. This extends to a dance, where they trade the lead, representing a dynamic and passionate power exchange in their relationship.
• Jodeci's "Cry For You": By referencing this iconic 90s R&B ballad, Drake uses a cultural touchstone to symbolize the depth and sincerity of his emotions. It's a shorthand for expressing an almost melodramatic level of devotion, indicating he's willing to be vulnerable and deeply emotional for this woman.
• The Front Gate: The line "You just buzzed the front gate" and the subsequent change in his mood ("my yiy just changed") symbolizes a shift in his emotional state caused by her arrival. Her presence is a transformative event, marking the beginning of their intimate time together and the end of his waiting.
• Patois and Beenie Man Sample: The use of Jamaican Patois and the sample of dancehall artist Beenie Man are symbolic of authenticity and cultural connection. It roots the song's themes of passion and desire in the vibrant, expressive context of Jamaican dancehall culture, moving beyond a generic love song to one that is culturally textured.

The most significant recurring motif in "Controlla" is the word "controlla" itself. Repeated insistently in the hook, it functions as the song's central theme and memorable anchor, encapsulating the idea of the woman's power over Drake. Another key recurring lyrical phrase is the declaration, "I think I'd lie for you / I think I'd die for you," often followed by the reference "Jodeci 'Cry For You'". This hyperbolic statement of devotion is repeated to underscore the depth of his feelings and his willingness to do anything for his partner. The motif of jealousy and external threats appears in the lines about "them girls" who "just wanna take my money" and don't want to see him happy, which recurs to contrast the superficiality of others with the perceived authenticity of his relationship. Finally, the sample from Beenie Man's "Tear Off Mi Garment" and his ad-libs serve as a recurring musical motif that grounds the track in its dancehall influence.