Jimmy Cooks (feat. 21 Savage)

"Jimmy Cooks" serves as a multifaceted statement from Drake and 21 Savage, centered on themes of success, loyalty, and defiance. The song's title is a direct and symbolic reference to Drake's past role as Jimmy Brooks on the teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation". By titling the song "Jimmy Cooks," Drake is acknowledging his journey from actor to global music icon, with the "cooking" metaphor representing his process of turning ambition into reality. It's a declaration that he has successfully navigated his path, refusing to be confined or "pigeonholed" by his past.

The first half of the song, led by Drake, focuses heavily on celebrating loyalty and his crew. The repeated line, "Gotta throw a party for my day ones," underscores the importance he places on the friends and collaborators who have been with him since the beginning. He also uses this space to pay tribute to the late rapper Lil Keed and DJ Kay Slay, reinforcing the sense of community and remembrance within the hip-hop world.

The distinct beat switch signals a shift in tone, introducing 21 Savage's more aggressive and confrontational perspective. This section delves into themes of street credibility, dominance, and a zero-tolerance policy for disrespect. 21 Savage's verse validates their tough exterior and boasts of their readiness to confront any opposition, solidifying the formidable alliance between him and Drake. The song as a whole acts as a reminder of Drake's roots in rap, especially as it was the sole rap track on his dance-oriented album, "Honestly, Nevermind". It's a flex of lyrical skill, a celebration of their shared success, and a bold challenge to their critics, encapsulating their confidence and status in the music industry.

The narrative of "Jimmy Cooks" unfolds in two distinct yet connected parts, reflecting a journey of ambition, loyalty, and dominance. The song opens with Drake setting a determined tone, immediately dismissing complacency and limitations. He metaphorically describes his drive as "cookin' up ambition on a kitchen stove," a direct reference to his relentless work ethic and a clever play on the song's title, which itself is a nod to his past acting role as Jimmy Brooks in "Degrassi." This isn't about dwelling on the past but about showcasing his evolution from an actor to a rap magnate who refuses to be pigeonholed. He speaks of his lavish lifestyle and his appeal to women, using basketball imagery like offering a woman "court side, not the middle row" to signify the elite experiences he can provide. Throughout his verse, there's a recurring theme of loyalty to his "day ones," the people who have been with him from the start. This is emphasized in the chorus where he insists on throwing a party for them. Drake also pays his respects to the recently departed, name-dropping rapper Lil Keed and hip-hop icon DJ Kay Slay, the "Drama King," grounding his current success in the reality of loss and the importance of remembrance within the community.

The song undergoes a dramatic shift with a beat switch, transitioning from a soulful, sample-driven introduction to a darker, more aggressive trap beat. This change ushers in 21 Savage's verse, which amplifies the song's confrontational and street-hardened edge. Savage's lyrics are raw and unapologetic, filled with threats towards his adversaries and declarations of his crew's dominance. He affirms his strong alliance with Drake and his OVO label, stating they "come out when it get dark." His verse is packed with vivid, and at times, menacing imagery and clever pop culture references. He alludes to Bart Simpson to describe violence and makes a timely reference to the Will Smith Oscars slap to underscore his intolerance for disrespect. He also calls out nosy individuals by comparing them to media personality Nadeska Alexis. Savage's flow is sharp and his delivery confident, creating a powerful contrast to Drake's smoother, more melodic approach in the first half. The song concludes with a defiant challenge to anyone who disapproves of their success and lifestyle, a final assertion of their unshakeable position at the top of the rap game.

"Jimmy Cooks" was released on June 17, 2022, as the final track on Drake's seventh studio album, Honestly, Nevermind. The album was a surprise release, announced only hours before it dropped. "Jimmy Cooks" was the only song on the album to feature a guest artist, 21 Savage. The song's title is a clever nod to Drake's character, Jimmy Brooks, from the Canadian teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation," which he starred in from 2001 to 2008. This reference highlights his journey from actor to rap superstar.

The production was handled by a team of notable producers including Tay Keith, Vinylz, Cubeatz, and Tizzle. The song is characterized by its significant beat switch. The first part samples the 1999 track "Just Awaken Shaken" by Memphis rapper Playa Fly. The soulful intro also features a sample of "You Were Gone" by Brook Benton. The track was recorded in 2022. The collaboration marked another successful pairing for Drake and 21 Savage, who had previously worked together on tracks like "Sneakin'" and "Knife Talk". Interestingly, it was revealed that "Jimmy Cooks" was originally intended for Drake and 21 Savage's future collaborative album, Her Loss, but did not make the final cut for that project and was instead placed on Honestly, Nevermind. The music video was released later, on October 23, 2022, and also served as the official announcement for their joint album, Her Loss.

The most prominent symbolism in "Jimmy Cooks" is the title itself. It's a direct reference to Drake's character, Jimmy Brooks, from the TV show "Degrassi." This isn't just a nostalgic callback; it symbolizes his entire career trajectory and evolution. By juxtaposing his past as a teen actor with the aggressive, successful rapper he is today, he highlights his transformation and versatility. The verb "Cooks" is a metaphor for his creative process and ambition, as he raps, "I'm cookin' up ambition on a kitchen stove," suggesting he is masterfully crafting his success.

Drake also employs basketball metaphors to symbolize status and relationships. When he says, "Heard you with a shooting guard, just let a nigga know / I would have you court side, not the middle row," he uses the seating arrangement at a game as a metaphor for the level of luxury and exclusivity he can offer a partner, positioning himself as the superior choice. This imagery elevates his status from a mere spectator to a powerful figure who controls the experience.

21 Savage uses a pop culture reference as a metaphor for his intolerance of disrespect: "If I was Will Smith, I would've slapped him with a stick." This line, referencing the highly publicized Oscars incident, serves as a potent and timely metaphor for his own code of conduct and the severe consequences of crossing him. He also references Nadeska Alexis, a well-known music journalist, to symbolize the prying and intrusive nature of people who ask too many questions.

The emotional landscape of "Jimmy Cooks" is intentionally dichotomous, split by its signature beat switch. The first half, dominated by Drake, exudes an atmosphere of confident celebration and reflective gratitude. The emotional tone is triumphant yet smooth, built on a foundation of success and loyalty. Drake's delivery is cool and assertive, conveying a sense of being completely in control and at the top of his game. This is blended with moments of genuine sentiment, particularly in his tributes to the late DJ Kay Slay and Lil Keed, which infuse the celebratory mood with a touch of somber respect.

When the beat switches, the emotional background shifts dramatically to one of raw aggression, defiance, and menace. 21 Savage's verse introduces a much darker, more confrontational atmosphere. His vocal performance is cold and intimidating, creating a palpable tension. The lyrics are unapologetically violent and boastful, establishing a feeling of street-hardened dominance and unwavering readiness for conflict. This shift creates a powerful contrast, moving from the sophisticated flex of a global superstar to the gritty threats of a seasoned street rapper. The overall emotional journey of the song is from a state of confident, earned swagger to one of intimidating, asserted power, showcasing two different but complementary facets of dominance.

"Jimmy Cooks" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, largely driven by its status as the sole rap track on Drake's otherwise dance and house-infused album, Honestly, Nevermind. This positioning made it an immediate standout and a fan favorite, seen by many as a reassuring nod to his hip-hop base. The song debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake's eleventh number-one hit and 21 Savage's second. Its immense popularity led to its official release as a single to contemporary hit radio on October 11, 2022.

The track received critical acclaim, with many praising the dynamic chemistry between Drake and 21 Savage and hailing it as the best song on the album. The song and its subsequent music video served as a successful promotional vehicle for their collaborative album, Her Loss, which was announced within the video itself. Culturally, the song's title, a reference to Drake's "Degrassi" character, sparked widespread conversation about his career evolution. 21 Savage's verse, particularly his line about Will Smith, became a notable pop culture reference point. The song also garnered industry recognition, winning several SOCAN Awards for Drake as a songwriter. Its success reaffirmed the commercial and critical power of Drake and 21 Savage as a collaborative duo, often compared to legendary pairings like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant by 21 Savage himself.

"Jimmy Cooks" features a dynamic interplay between rhyme and rhythm that shifts significantly after the beat switch. In Drake's initial verse, the rhythm is more relaxed, riding over a soulful, sample-driven beat with a classic hip-hop cadence. His rhyme scheme is intricate but flows conversationally, utilizing a mix of perfect rhymes and slant rhymes to maintain a smooth, melodic feel. The tempo in this first section is moderate, establishing a confident but not overly aggressive groove.

This structure is completely upended by the transition to 21 Savage's part. The beat becomes faster, more syncopated, and adopts a hard-hitting trap rhythm. 21 Savage's lyrical rhythm is much more aggressive and percussive. He employs a faster flow with complex internal rhymes and a more rigid, on-beat delivery that emphasizes the menace in his lyrics. Critics have noted his skillful manipulation of flow, dragging out syllables and making slight pivots that keep his verse engaging and unpredictable. The song's structure could be seen as a form of free verse within a rap context, as the rhyme schemes are not strictly patterned (like AABB) but are instead woven into the natural flow of the verses. The contrast between Drake's laid-back rhythm and 21 Savage's intense, driving pace is a core element of the song's power and narrative arc.

"Jimmy Cooks" showcases a range of stylistic techniques, most notably its dramatic structural shift. The song is essentially a two-part composition, marked by a prominent beat switch. The first section, led by Drake, features a soulful, sample-heavy production with a laid-back, melodic vocal delivery, creating a celebratory and reflective mood. This abruptly transitions into a dark, aggressive trap beat for 21 Savage's verse, characterized by a more menacing and confrontational vocal style. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the duo's versatility and combined threat.

Lyrically, Drake employs a confident, narrative voice, using direct address and rhetorical questions to engage the listener. His flow is smooth and adaptable to the Memphis-flavored beat. 21 Savage, in contrast, utilizes a more staccato and rhythmically complex flow, with subtle melodic variations that add emphasis to his lines, as praised by critics who noted his ability to drag out syllables for effect.

The song is rich with intertextuality and cultural references, from Drake's nod to his own acting past in "Degrassi" to paying homage to late artists like Lil Keed and DJ Kay Slay. 21 Savage's verse is particularly dense with pop culture references, including The Simpsons ("smack the backside of his head like he Bart") and the Will Smith-Chris Rock incident, which grounds the track in a specific cultural moment. The use of sampling is also a key musical technique, with Playa Fly's "Just Awaken Shaken" forming the basis of the first beat, lending it a nostalgic, southern hip-hop flavor.

What is the meaning behind the song title 'Jimmy Cooks'?

The title 'Jimmy Cooks' is a reference to the character Jimmy Brooks, whom Drake played on the Canadian TV show 'Degrassi: The Next Generation.' The 'Cooks' part is a metaphor for Drake 'cooking up' ambition and success in his music career, symbolizing his evolution from actor to rap icon.

What is the sample used in Drake's 'Jimmy Cooks'?

The first part of 'Jimmy Cooks' features two primary samples. The main beat is built around a sample of 'Just Awaken Shaken' by the Memphis rapper Playa Fly. The intro also contains a sample of the song 'You Were Gone' by soul singer Brook Benton.

Who produced 'Jimmy Cooks' by Drake and 21 Savage?

The production for 'Jimmy Cooks' was handled by a team of acclaimed producers: Tay Keith, Vinylz, Cubeatz, and Tizzle.

Why is 'Jimmy Cooks' the only rap song on the album 'Honestly, Nevermind'?

'Honestly, Nevermind' was a stylistic departure for Drake, focusing heavily on dance and house music. 'Jimmy Cooks' was included as the final track, serving as a powerful rap conclusion and a bridge to his next project. It was seen by many as a deliberate choice to satisfy his core hip-hop fanbase.

What does 21 Savage's line about Will Smith mean in 'Jimmy Cooks'?

In the line, 'If I was Will Smith, I would've slapped him with a stick,' 21 Savage references the incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. He uses this timely cultural event as a metaphor to express his own zero-tolerance policy for disrespect and to underscore his aggressive nature.

Who are the 'Drama King' and 'Lil Keed' that Drake mentions?

'Drama King' is a tribute to DJ Kay Slay, a legendary New York hip-hop DJ who passed away in April 2022. 'Lil Keed' refers to the Atlanta rapper who passed away in May 2022. Drake pays respect to both artists, acknowledging their loss within the hip-hop community.

Did 'Jimmy Cooks' announce the 'Her Loss' album?

Yes, the music video for 'Jimmy Cooks,' released on October 23, 2022, officially announced that Drake and 21 Savage would be releasing a collaborative album titled 'Her Loss.'