Know Yourself

"Know Yourself" is a multi-layered anthem that primarily revolves around the themes of authenticity, loyalty, and hometown pride. The title itself is a maxim that Drake has previously used, urging listeners to understand their own worth and origins. The song is a narrative of Drake's journey, contrasting his humble beginnings with his current success. The first half of the song is introspective and brooding, reflecting on past struggles and the anxieties that come with fame. It’s a declaration of his awareness of his surroundings, acknowledging those who have been with him from the start and being wary of newcomers with questionable motives.

The famous beat switch signifies a pivotal shift in the song's meaning, moving from personal reflection to a collective, celebratory anthem. The chant "I was runnin' through the 6 with my woes" is a powerful ode to his hometown of Toronto (nicknamed "The 6" because of its 416 and 647 area codes) and his close circle of friends, or "Woes." "Woe" is an acronym for "Working on Excellence," a term coined by his affiliate Devontée, which also carries the double meaning of a slang term for a friend, similar to "whoadie." Therefore, the song is a celebration of his roots and the people who have supported him, a message intended to resonate with anyone who feels a strong connection to their own origins. Drake himself stated he was inspired by Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" and wanted to create a song that belonged to Toronto but was embraced by the world.

The song begins with a hazy, almost dreamlike recollection of past struggles and humble beginnings. The narrator reflects on a time of uncertainty, sleeping in a temporary, perhaps precarious, situation, shouting out his close-knit circle of friends and collaborators—Oliver, 40, and Niko. This initial section paints a picture of camaraderie and the grind before the fame, grounding the narrative in a specific place, 15 Fort York, which serves as a symbol of his origins. There's a sense of looking back at a life that was less glamorous, a time of hustling and praying for authenticity to prevail and for fakes to be exposed. The lyrics then shift to a more assertive tone, expressing a desire for luxury items like a Ferrari and a Bugatti, not just for the pleasure of ownership, but as a statement of arrival and dominance. This materialism is juxtaposed with a conscious decision to not wear his jewelry, a move to remain low-key and perhaps test the loyalty and intentions of those around him. He asserts that others covet his position but are undeserving, highlighting a feeling of earned success and the constant need to guard it.

A significant portion of the narrative delves into the artist's transformation, acknowledging a newfound focus on money and women as a direct result of his life's trajectory. It’s a candid admission of how fame and success have reshaped his priorities. He reminisces about his crew and their shared history, mentioning specific streets and neighborhoods in Toronto, which anchors the song in a strong sense of place. This section is filled with specific, personal references that create an intimate portrait of his life and relationships before stardom. The mention of friends who are now gone or in difficult situations adds a layer of somber reflection amidst the bravado.

The song's energy dramatically shifts with the iconic beat switch. This transition marks a move from introspection to a full-blown anthem. The repeated phrase, "I was runnin' through the 6 with my woes," becomes a triumphant chant. 'The 6' is a direct reference to his hometown of Toronto, and 'woes' refers to his close friends, his 'Working on Excellence' crew. This part of the song is a celebration of his roots, a declaration of loyalty to his city and the people who were with him from the start. It’s a powerful, unifying cry that transforms personal history into a collective anthem. The repetition of "You know how that shit go" reinforces a sense of shared understanding with his listeners, particularly those from his city. The song ends on this high-energy, defiant note, solidifying its status as an anthem of hometown pride and a testament to the journey from obscurity to the top, all while staying true to one's origins and crew.

"Know Yourself" was a standout track from Drake's surprise 2015 mixtape, If You're Reading This It's Too Late. The song was produced by a team of notable producers including Boi-1da, Vinylz, and Syk Sense, with co-production from Allen Ritter. The creation of the mixtape, including "Know Yourself," was largely done in hotel rooms while Drake was on his "Would You Like a Tour?" tour, giving it a raw and immediate feel. Snippets of the song were first featured in a short film titled "Jungle," which Drake released shortly before the mixtape's surprise drop.

The song's creation was not without controversy. A reference track for "Know Yourself," performed by Atlanta rapper Quentin Miller, was leaked in 2015. This led to accusations that Drake used a ghostwriter for the song, a significant point of contention in the hip-hop community. Quentin Miller is officially credited as a writer on the track. Reports suggest that Miller wrote the hook for the song. Despite the controversy, the song became a massive anthem and a pivotal moment in Drake's career, cementing his connection to his hometown of Toronto.

The rhyme scheme in "Know Yourself" is not strictly formal, leaning more towards a free-verse style typical of contemporary hip-hop. Drake employs a mix of perfect rhymes and slant rhymes to maintain a conversational flow. The rhythmic structure of the song is defined by its two distinct sections. The first half has a slower, more deliberate rhythm, with a tempo around 57-58 BPM (half-time of the main tempo), creating a moody and introspective atmosphere. The lyrics in this section are delivered in a more relaxed, narrative style.

Following the beat switch, the tempo effectively doubles to around 114-115 BPM, and the rhythm becomes much more energetic and driving. This faster tempo, combined with the trap-influenced beat and Drake's more aggressive, chant-like delivery, creates the song's anthemic and danceable feel. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key component of the song's impact, with the flow becoming more syncopated and percussive in the second half to match the intensity of the beat.

"Know Yourself" is notable for its dramatic two-part structure, a common feature in Drake's music. The song employs several stylistic techniques:

• Beat Switch: The most significant musical technique is the dramatic shift in the beat about halfway through the song. It transitions from a hazy, down-tempo, and introspective instrumental to an aggressive, high-energy trap beat. This change in production mirrors the lyrical shift from reflection to defiant celebration and is crucial to the song's anthemic quality.
• Narrative Voice: Drake uses a personal and introspective narrative voice in the first half, filled with specific anecdotes and shout-outs, which creates a sense of intimacy and authenticity. This voice becomes more assertive and declarative in the second half.
• Repetition and Chant: The repetitive chant of "I was runnin' through the 6 with my woes" and "You know how that shit go" in the second half turns the song into a memorable and participatory anthem, designed for live performance and audience engagement.
• Vocal Delivery: Drake's vocal delivery changes with the beat. In the first part, it's more melodic and contemplative. In the second, it becomes more aggressive and boastful, enhancing the emotional shift of the track.
• Ad-libs and Skits: The song begins with a skit-like intro, which adds to the atmospheric and cinematic feel of the track.

"Know Yourself" had a massive cultural impact, particularly in its role in solidifying Toronto's identity in the global hip-hop scene. The phrase "runnin' through the 6 with my woes" became a cultural catchphrase, widely used in social media, memes, and everyday conversation. The song became an unofficial anthem for the city of Toronto and its sports teams, particularly the Raptors. Released as part of the surprise mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late, the song contributed to the project's massive success; the mixtape debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and broke Spotify streaming records at the time. The song's popularity also fueled the ongoing conversation about ghostwriting in hip-hop due to the leaked reference track by Quentin Miller. Despite this, "Know Yourself" remains one of Drake's most iconic and beloved tracks, a staple of his live shows, and a significant moment in his career that showcased his ability to craft a city-specific anthem with global appeal.

The song is rich with symbolism, primarily centered around Drake's identity and his connection to Toronto.

• "The 6": This is the most prominent symbol in the song, a nickname for Toronto that Drake popularized. It refers to the city's 416 and 647 area codes. It symbolizes not just a geographical location, but a sense of belonging, identity, and the foundation of his success.
• "Woes": This term is a clever piece of wordplay. On the surface, it could be interpreted as struggles or sorrows, aligning with Drake's often melancholic persona. However, its primary meaning in the context of the song is an acronym for "Working on Excellence," referring to his tight-knit crew. It symbolizes loyalty, camaraderie, and a shared ambition.
• "15 Fort York": The mention of this specific address at the beginning of the song grounds his success in a real, tangible place from his past, symbolizing his humble beginnings and the starting point of his journey.
• Not wearing jewelry "on purpose": This is a metaphor for his cautious approach to fame and the people it attracts. It symbolizes a desire to see people's true intentions, uninfluenced by the trappings of wealth.

The most significant recurring phrase is undoubtedly "I was runnin' through the 6 with my woes." This line, which becomes the song's central hook after the beat switch, is repeated numerous times, solidifying its status as an anthem for Toronto and a declaration of loyalty to his crew. Its repetition is key to the song's structure and its immense cultural impact, making it highly memorable and chantable.

Another recurring phrase is "You know how that shit go," which serves as a conversational ad-lib that reinforces the main chant. It creates a sense of shared experience and understanding with the listener, as if Drake is confiding in them. The motif of "know yourself, know your worth" is a recurring theme in Drake's discography, and while the full phrase isn't in this song, the title itself serves as a continuation of this personal mantra.