Energy

"Energy" is a song where Drake confronts the pressures and negativity that come with his level of fame and success. The central theme is the idea of protecting one's own vitality and creative spirit—his "energy"—from a myriad of detractors he perceives as "enemies." These aren't just rival artists but also include supposed friends, opportunistic women, and the general public. The lyrics express a sense of paranoia and exhaustion from constantly being a target. Drake feels that people are trying to "drain" him and co-opt his style or "wave." The song serves as a defiant anthem, a declaration that despite the constant assault on his peace and success, he remains powerful and in control. He's shedding the pretense of liking those he doesn't and is ready to cut off the negative influences in his life.

The song opens with a declaration of the artist's embattled status, stating he has a multitude of "enemies" who are actively trying to deplete his vitality and creative force. This isn't just a general feeling; he points to specific sources of this drain. He mentions real-life interpersonal issues with women that disrupt his day, dismissing online drama as something he doesn't have time for because his real-world problems are more pressing. These issues extend to his family and even his inner circle, where he has friends who are legally unable to leave Canada, hinting at their troubled pasts. The artist then reflects on his financial success, mentioning two mortgages that total thirty million dollars, yet this wealth doesn't shield him from betrayal, as he still has people trying to take advantage of him.

He touches upon the phoniness he encounters in the music industry, having to feign friendships with other rappers. However, he declares that this charade is over, expressing a strong and final disavowal of them. The chorus repeats the central theme of having numerous enemies who are trying to sap his "energy" and steal his unique style or "wave." He positions himself as "the kid" and suggests that those who cross him should pray for themselves, underlining the seriousness of the conflict.

The artist then details the pettiness he faces, with people gossiping about him and trying to gain his favor for superficial reasons, like asking for his Wi-Fi password to then post about him on social media. He observes the disingenuous nature of their relationships, where they show him pictures of their "friends" only to deny the friendship. He draws a parallel between an ex-girlfriend and himself, suggesting she shares his ambitious and perhaps ruthless qualities. He also boasts about his encounters with strippers, claiming they are like "virgins" to him, a metaphor for his jaded experience and their inability to truly affect him. He hears the aspirational talk of others but remains skeptical, waiting to see if their ambitions will materialize.

He asserts his power and readiness for confrontation, stating that his friends are free from legal troubles because he has the financial means to handle it. He dismisses those who threaten him, daring them to act on their words. The track's bridge is a direct address to his detractors, making it clear he is not finished and that they don't truly want to see him succeed. He references his loyal crew from his hometown and his global presence, emphasizing that his real supporters are always with him. He concludes by reiterating the core message: he is surrounded by enemies who constantly try to undermine him, and he is weary of having to be the one to 'save' them or carry them.

"Energy" is the second single from Drake's 2015 commercial mixtape, If You're Reading This It's Too Late. The mixtape itself was a surprise release on February 13, 2015, and "Energy" was later officially released as a single on July 10, 2015. The track was produced by Boi-1da and OB O'Brien. The song features a number of samples, including "Eazy-Duz-It" by Eazy-E and "Ridin Spinners" by Three 6 Mafia. It also samples the intro from the Hot Boys' song "I Need A Hot Girl" and the instrumental from "Knowledge Me" by Original Concept. The opening vocal sample, "Lickwood means 'rewind' and gunshot means 'forward' / You requested it, so we rewind," is believed to be from Jamaican DJ Jah Walton.

The song is set to a tempo of 172 beats per minute (BPM) and is in a 4/4 time signature. Drake's rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, often utilizing AABB patterns in the verses, which gives the lyrics a direct and impactful quality. He makes use of both perfect and slant rhymes. For example, in the lines "I got real shit poppin' with my family too / I got niggas that can never leave Canada too," the end rhyme is perfect. The rhythm of his vocal delivery is a key element. He often starts with a more fluid flow and then shifts to a more punctuated, staccato rhythm to emphasize certain lines or words, creating a dynamic interplay with the beat. The repetition of the hook's rhythm and rhyme makes it highly effective and memorable.

"Energy" is characterized by its dark, menacing beat and Drake's confident, almost confrontational vocal delivery. The production, handled by Boi-1da and OB O'Brien, creates a tense and atmospheric backdrop for the lyrics. Drake employs a repetitive, hook-driven structure, with the phrase "I got enemies, got a lot of enemies" acting as a central, memorable motif. Lyrically, he uses direct address and a conversational, yet assertive, tone. There is a strong use of alliteration, for instance, in the line "I got enemies, got a lot of enemies / Got a lot of people trying to drain me of this energy," which emphasizes the relentless nature of the negativity he faces. His flow is rhythmic and controlled, often building in intensity to match the lyrical content. The use of numerous samples provides a rich, layered sonic texture.

"Energy" was a standout track from the commercially successful mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The song itself performed well, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song's music video, directed by Fleur & Manu, garnered significant attention for its creative and humorous concept. In the video, Drake's face is digitally superimposed onto the bodies of various celebrities and public figures in iconic pop culture moments, including Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus in her "Wrecking Ball" video, Kanye West in "Bound 2," and even former Toronto mayor Rob Ford. Drake stated that the video was inspired by Michael Jackson's "Black or White" video. The video was praised for its creativity and self-awareness and was named one of the best music videos of 2015 by Pitchfork.

The central metaphor of the song is "energy," which represents Drake's creative power, success, and even his life force. The "enemies" are symbolic of all the negative forces—jealousy, betrayal, and opportunism—that threaten to deplete this energy. The "wave" is another significant metaphor, symbolizing his unique style, influence, and momentum in the music industry, which he feels others are trying to steal. When Drake mentions strippers being "virgins to me," it's a metaphor for his desensitization to the temptations and superficiality of his lifestyle; these experiences no longer hold any novelty or power over him. The act of people asking for his Wi-Fi password symbolizes a shallow desire to get close to him for social media clout rather than genuine connection.

The most prominent recurring phrase is the hook: "I got enemies, got a lot of enemies / Got a lot of people tryna drain me of this energy / They tryna take the wave from a nigga." This phrase is repeated throughout the song, acting as its central thesis and reinforcing the themes of being under attack and protecting one's own success. The word "energy" itself is a recurring motif, symbolizing the valuable resource that Drake is trying to preserve. The idea of having "real ones" with him is another recurring motif in Drake's music that appears here, contrasting the disloyal "enemies" with his trusted inner circle.