Laugh Now Cry Later (feat. Lil Durk)

"Laugh Now Cry Later" is a multi-layered song that explores the dualities of success, fame, and emotional resilience. The primary meaning, captured by the title itself, is about embracing and celebrating current triumphs and joys while acknowledging that challenges and sorrow are an inevitable part of life to be dealt with later. It's a victory lap of sorts, where Drake reflects on his sustained success and resilience, particularly in the face of rivalries, likely referencing his past beefs with artists like Pusha T and Kanye West. He positions himself as being above the fray, 'tired of beefin' you bums,' indicating he has moved past petty conflicts to focus on his achievements. The song is also a commentary on authenticity in the hip-hop world, calling out those who project a tough or successful image that doesn't align with their reality. Lil Durk's verse complements this by grounding the track in street credibility and reinforcing the theme of loyalty versus betrayal ('we do not listen to rats'). The phrase 'Laugh Now, Cry Later' itself has deep cultural roots, often associated with the duality of comedy and tragedy masks and has been a prominent tattoo and cultural phrase long before the song.

The song's narrative centers on the artist's current state of success and the complex emotions that accompany it. It opens by immediately establishing a central theme: the unavoidable cycle of joy and sorrow, suggesting a mature acceptance of life's ups and downs. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a luxurious and triumphant lifestyle, juxtaposed with an underlying awareness of past struggles and ongoing rivalries. The artist reflects on his elevated status, making it clear he is tired of petty disputes with 'bums' who are not on his level, suggesting he has outgrown certain conflicts and they are no longer worth his energy. There's a strong sense of flexing and demonstrating dominance, as illustrated by lines about rivals' neighborhoods becoming 'ghost towns' when he's around, a metaphor for his intimidating presence in the industry.

A recurring motif is the questioning of others' authenticity, particularly those who boast about a lifestyle they don't truly live. This theme is woven throughout, as the artist contrasts his genuine success with the facade of others. He also touches on loyalty and the strength of his inner circle, with lines like 'my niggas still eatin',' emphasizing that his success is shared. The feature from Lil Durk reinforces these themes from a grittier perspective, grounding the song's luxurious feel with a reminder of his 'trenches' background. Durk's verse adds a layer of street credibility and a firm stance against disloyalty, using the term 'rats' to dismiss those who cooperate with authorities or betray their circle. He aligns himself with a tough image, asserting he's more than just a rapper and will defend himself if tested.

The narrative also delves into personal relationships and the paranoia that comes with fame. The line 'I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby' can be interpreted in multiple ways, possibly alluding to drug use, or more metaphorically, to a partner's intense or overwhelming nature. Another line about 'pillow talk' suggests betrayal, where intimate conversations are leaked, making it hard to trust. This highlights the emotional cost of fame, where vulnerability can be exploited. Ultimately, the song is a complex tapestry of celebration, caution, and reflection. It portrays an artist who is enjoying the fruits of his labor but remains acutely aware of the fakeness around him, the ghosts of past conflicts, and the emotional complexities of navigating life at the top.

"Laugh Now Cry Later" was released on August 14, 2020, as the intended lead single for Drake's then-upcoming sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy. The song features a collaboration with Chicago rapper Lil Durk. The production was handled by a team of notable producers including Cardo, G. Ry, Yung Exclusive, Rogét Chahayed, and Bryan "BRYVN" Yepes. According to producer Cardo, who also worked on Drake's hit "God's Plan," the creative process was built on an existing relationship with Drake's team. Drake sent the record to Cardo, who, along with his cousin Yung Exclusive, 'knocked it out of the park.' The song was teased by Drake on social media with a clip of him on a jet ski just before its midnight release. The accompanying music video, directed by Dave Meyers, was a major event in itself, filmed entirely at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. This high-production video featured cameos from celebrity athletes Kevin Durant, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marshawn Lynch, serving as both a music video and a large-scale promotion for Nike, indicating a collaboration between Drake and the brand.

The song is characterized by Drake's fluid and relaxed flow, which often plays with the beat rather than adhering strictly to it. The overall tempo is moderate, contributing to the song's confident and breezy vibe. Drake's rhyme scheme is intricate but appears effortless. He frequently uses multi-syllable rhymes and internal rhymes to add complexity to his verses. For example, in the lines 'Tired of beefin' you bums, you can't even pay me enough to react / Been wakin' up in the crib and sometimes I don't even know where I'm at,' the rhyming of 'react' and 'at' is straightforward, but the rhythmic structure and delivery make it sound smooth. Lil Durk's verse introduces a shift in rhythm, employing a faster, triplet flow that adds energy and contrasts with Drake's more laid-back delivery. The rhythm of the lyrics and the instrumental backing work in tandem; the prominent horn melody provides a consistent, triumphant motif over a standard trap drum pattern, allowing the vocal rhythms to be the main source of variation and interest.

"Laugh Now Cry Later" showcases Drake's signature blend of melodic rap and pop sensibilities, employing several stylistic techniques. Musically, the track is built on a triumphant, horn-driven beat produced by Cardo and others, creating a sound that is both grand and laid-back. Drake's vocal delivery is characteristically smooth and moody, transitioning seamlessly between singing and rapping. He often uses a descending melodic contour, which gives his lines a feeling of casual confidence. Lyrically, the song is filled with braggadocio and introspective lines, a common duality in Drake's work. He employs a conversational tone and uses colloquialisms, which makes his lyrics relatable and quotable, a key aspect of his songwriting appeal. The structure is less about a rigid narrative and more of a collection of thoughts and flexes, which is a common technique in his music. The inclusion of Lil Durk provides a stylistic contrast, with Durk's slightly more aggressive and raw delivery grounding the track's polished feel. The song's hook is memorable and repetitive, a pop-oriented technique designed for mass appeal and chart success.

"Laugh Now Cry Later" made a significant cultural and commercial impact upon its release. Commercially, it was a massive success, debuting at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number one in Drake's native Canada. The song earned Drake his 41st top-ten hit on the Hot 100 and has since been certified multi-platinum. It also gave featured artist Lil Durk his highest-charting song to that date, significantly boosting his profile in the mainstream. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. The music video became a cultural event, largely due to its unprecedented access to the Nike World Headquarters and its star-studded athlete cameos, which generated extensive media coverage and online discussion. The video's meme-worthy moments, like Drake crying or getting tackled, were intentionally crafted to go viral, demonstrating Drake's savvy understanding of internet culture. The phrase "Laugh Now, Cry Later" also saw a resurgence in cultural discussions, connecting back to its history in tattoo art and hip-hop, with artists like Tupac and Ice Cube having previously used the expression.

The song and its music video are rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its themes of victory and dominance.

• Laugh Now, Cry Later: This central theme is symbolized by the classic theatre masks of comedy and tragedy, representing the duality of life's joy and pain. The phrase suggests living in the moment and dealing with consequences later.
• Nike Headquarters: The choice of location for the music video is a powerful symbol of success, athletic excellence, and being at the pinnacle of one's game. It aligns Drake with a global symbol of victory.
• Athletic Cameos: Featuring top-tier athletes like Kevin Durant and Odell Beckham Jr. serves as a metaphor for Drake's own status as an elite competitor in the music industry.
• Muhammad Ali Underwater Photo: The video includes a visual homage to Muhammad Ali's iconic 1961 underwater boxing photo, directly comparing Drake's dominance in rap to Ali's legendary status in boxing.
• Ghost Town: The lyric 'we on your block and it's like a ghost town' is a metaphor for Drake's intimidating presence, suggesting rivals disappear or fall silent when he is around.
• Victory Lap: Drake frames encounters with others as a 'victory lap,' symbolizing that his continued presence and success are a constant celebration of his wins over rivals.

The most significant recurring phrase is the hook, 'Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now.' This line is the song's central thesis, encapsulating the theme of life's duality and emotional resilience. Its repetition drills the core message into the listener's mind, making it highly memorable. The word 'baby' is used repeatedly at the end of lines in the chorus, acting as a rhythmic and melodic punctuation that gives the song a signature, catchy quality. Another recurring lyrical motif is the idea of questioning the authenticity of rivals with lines like 'Where do these n****s be at when they say they doin' all this and all that?,' which appears in both the intro and outro, framing the entire song with this theme of skepticism toward facades.