Headlines (Drake song)
Encyclopedia
"Headlines" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake
. It is the first single
from Drake's second studio album Take Care
. The song, produced by Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels and Noah "40" Shebib, first premiered on Drake's blog October's Very Own on July 31, 2011, and has been sent to US urban radio stations on August 9, 2011. It was released on iTunes and Amazon on August 9, 2011 in the U.S. The song has debuted and peaked on the Billboard charts
at number 13, his second highest debut. It will impact U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on October 18, 2011. On October 28, 2011 the track was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies in the US. On November 17, 2011 the track was certified Gold by Music Canada
for sales of 40,000 copies in Canada.
In an interview with Billboard
, Drake talked about "Headlines" saying, "By no means is it the best song on my album, it's really just the song for this moment, right now." Drake talked about why he released the song as the first single saying: "I always try to put forth a song with a message. A lot of people pick their single by what's the strongest song. I don't really do that. I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now." Drake also said, "I want people to party to it but at the same time the fans, the people that care about my career, the people that follow me, will hear a message in it."
Drake told MTV News in early September that "Headlines" was the perfect tune to launch the project: "I think it's great; the purpose of that record was solely to deliver a message," he said. "I could've gone with the record that was sort of super radio-friendly, but I really just wanted to talk to the people with the first record."
The album version of the song cuts the last 1 minute instrumental and replaces it with a short spoken poem by Drake.
, the song "finds Drake ruminating on the ups and downs of celebrity." Spin also called the production matching "Drake's defiant tone with a martial beat and heavy staccato strings." The Huffington Post
compared "Headlines" to "Marvins Room
" saying, "Whereas "Marvins Room" is more devastating, "Headlines" doesn't dwell so much in its despair, and has the kind of flash you would expect a song titled "Headlines" to have." The Baltimore Sun
said the song has "buoyant, staccato synth line and Casio snares" and that "The beat calls for such a sing-song flow that few rappers could tackle it." Rolling Stone
gave the song three stars out of five, saying that "The spare beat never takes off, and the hook is a slight thing, almost an afterthought – or maybe the clearest sign that even with booze, cynics and fame buzzing about, hip-hop's great hope isn’t overeager to please."
On October 15, Drake made his "Saturday Night Live
" debut in an episode hosted by Anna Faris
and was set to perform "Headlines" as the musical guest of the week.
. The video was shot in various locations and doesn't feature anyone from Young Money, but has appearances by T-Minus
, Noah "40" Shebib, The Weeknd
, Boi-1da
and Kromatik. The music video depicts Drake rapping in several different scenes and doesn't follow a narrative
. He raps centre field in Toronto
's Rogers Centre
as the stadium's scoreboard is lit up with the title of his November 15 album, Take Care, while being surrounded by his fellow crew members in front of Toronto
's historic Guild Park
, in front of a rundown building with the letters "OVOXO" sprayed in graffiti by 'Mer' on the wall and at the head of a dining table, puffing on a cigar with an assortment of wine bottles scattered about.
commented on the video by saying "Headlines," like the previously released "Marvins Room" video (also from Take Care), is set in Canada and gives a more intimate look into who the superstar rapper really is." Spin
commented on the video by saying "the clip finally shows the perpetually conflicted star finally appearing to enjoy his success -- well, at least a little bit. Backed by imperial-style columns, standing in a vast but empty stadium, or chewing a stogie on the escalator at a high-rise office building, Drake looks every bit a leader, and he has a crew of solemn-faced men to back him up." Consequence of Sound
commented by saying "if you want to smoke cigars while riding elevators and have posse meetups outside local monuments, Drake can show you the ropes. Most folks are lucky their name on a scoreboard for a birthday." Complex commented on the video by saying "Headlines takes us on a journey through Toronto: The city where he's from. Drizzy brings us high above ground level in the window-surrounded elevator of Toronto's CN Tower
, to the Rogers Centre—home
of the Toronto Blue Jays—and to the dinner table where he and his OVO crew puff fat cigars and sip expensive wines."
The official remix features american rapper T.I.
chart at number 98 and has since reached number 2 on the chart. The following week, it debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100
. On the week of October 15, 2011 "Headlines" reached the summit of the Billboard Rap Songs
chart which was his 10th time overall achieving this feat. With the ascension of "Headlines", Drake becomes the artist with the most number 1's of all time on the chart; tied only with fellow rapper Diddy
& Ludacris
.
Drake
- People :* Drake ** Notably Sir Francis Drake , an English sea captain and politician of the Elizabethan era* Drake * Drake , stage name of Aubrey Drake Graham, Canadian recording artist and actor- Places :...
. It is the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from Drake's second studio album Take Care
Take Care
Take Care is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Drake, released November 15, 2011, on Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records. It is the follow-up to his 2010 debut album Thank Me Later. Production for the album took place during 2010 to 2011 and was handled by Noah "40"...
. The song, produced by Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels and Noah "40" Shebib, first premiered on Drake's blog October's Very Own on July 31, 2011, and has been sent to US urban radio stations on August 9, 2011. It was released on iTunes and Amazon on August 9, 2011 in the U.S. The song has debuted and peaked on the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
at number 13, his second highest debut. It will impact U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on October 18, 2011. On October 28, 2011 the track was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies in the US. On November 17, 2011 the track was certified Gold by Music Canada
Music Canada
Music Canada was a Canadian music television miniseries which aired approximately monthly on CBC Television from 1966 to 1967.-Premise:This series featured various special productions of music and dance, from classical to modern styles.-Scheduling:...
for sales of 40,000 copies in Canada.
Background
On July 18, 2011 Drake told The Invasion Radio Show that he was mixing a new single. Drake also revealed the name of the single on July 18 when posting the lone word "Headlines" on his Twitter account.In an interview with Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, Drake talked about "Headlines" saying, "By no means is it the best song on my album, it's really just the song for this moment, right now." Drake talked about why he released the song as the first single saying: "I always try to put forth a song with a message. A lot of people pick their single by what's the strongest song. I don't really do that. I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now." Drake also said, "I want people to party to it but at the same time the fans, the people that care about my career, the people that follow me, will hear a message in it."
Drake told MTV News in early September that "Headlines" was the perfect tune to launch the project: "I think it's great; the purpose of that record was solely to deliver a message," he said. "I could've gone with the record that was sort of super radio-friendly, but I really just wanted to talk to the people with the first record."
The album version of the song cuts the last 1 minute instrumental and replaces it with a short spoken poem by Drake.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews. According to SpinSpin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
, the song "finds Drake ruminating on the ups and downs of celebrity." Spin also called the production matching "Drake's defiant tone with a martial beat and heavy staccato strings." The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
compared "Headlines" to "Marvins Room
Marvins Room
"Marvin's Room" is a song by the rapper Drake. The song first debuted on his official blog October's Very Own on June 9, 2011. The track serves the first promotional single released from Drake's sophomore album Take Care...
" saying, "Whereas "Marvins Room" is more devastating, "Headlines" doesn't dwell so much in its despair, and has the kind of flash you would expect a song titled "Headlines" to have." The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
said the song has "buoyant, staccato synth line and Casio snares" and that "The beat calls for such a sing-song flow that few rappers could tackle it." Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
gave the song three stars out of five, saying that "The spare beat never takes off, and the hook is a slight thing, almost an afterthought – or maybe the clearest sign that even with booze, cynics and fame buzzing about, hip-hop's great hope isn’t overeager to please."
Live performances
The first live performance of Headlines took place at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario on August 4th, 2011.On October 15, Drake made his "Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
" debut in an episode hosted by Anna Faris
Anna Faris
Anna Kay Faris is an American actress, singer and comedienne. She is known for her starring role in the Scary Movie film series, as well as roles in The Hot Chick , Lost in Translation , Just Friends , My Super Ex-Girlfriend , Smiley Face , and The House Bunny...
and was set to perform "Headlines" as the musical guest of the week.
Music video
Premise
The video was officially premiered on October 2, 2011 on VimeoVimeo
Vimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...
. The video was shot in various locations and doesn't feature anyone from Young Money, but has appearances by T-Minus
T-Minus (producer)
T-Minus , is a Canadian hip-hop and R&B producer from Ajax, Ontario. He has produced for artists such as T.I., Ciara, Nicki Minaj, Plies, Ludacris, LeToya Luckett, Birdman, Lil' Wayne, Wale and Drake, & August Rigo among others.-2006:Drake - Comeback Season:* 00. "Replacement Girl" T-Minus (born...
, Noah "40" Shebib, The Weeknd
The Weeknd
Abel Tesfaye , better known by his stage name The Weeknd is an Ethiopian Canadian singer. Songs recorded under The Weeknd name first leaked in late 2010, though the identity of the individual behind the project was initially unknown.The Weeknd released a nine-song mixtape, House of Balloons, on...
, Boi-1da
Boi-1da
Matthew Samuels , better known as Boi-1da , is a Canadian hip-hop producer from Toronto, Ontario. He has produced for artists and groups such as Chip tha Ripper, Kardinal Offishall, Clipse, Drake, Eminem, Saukrates, k-os, G-Unit, and The Diplomats among others...
and Kromatik. The music video depicts Drake rapping in several different scenes and doesn't follow a narrative
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...
. He raps centre field in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
as the stadium's scoreboard is lit up with the title of his November 15 album, Take Care, while being surrounded by his fellow crew members in front of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's historic Guild Park
Guild Inn
The Guild Inn was an historic hotel in the Guildwood neighbourhood of Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario. It evolved out of Ranelagh Park, a 33 room, Arts and Crafts-style manor house built in 1914 for Colonel Harold Bickford atop the Scarborough Bluffs, that was in 1921 sold to the Roman Catholic...
, in front of a rundown building with the letters "OVOXO" sprayed in graffiti by 'Mer' on the wall and at the head of a dining table, puffing on a cigar with an assortment of wine bottles scattered about.
Critical reception
Overall the video for "Headlines" was received positively by most music critics. MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
commented on the video by saying "Headlines," like the previously released "Marvins Room" video (also from Take Care), is set in Canada and gives a more intimate look into who the superstar rapper really is." Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
commented on the video by saying "the clip finally shows the perpetually conflicted star finally appearing to enjoy his success -- well, at least a little bit. Backed by imperial-style columns, standing in a vast but empty stadium, or chewing a stogie on the escalator at a high-rise office building, Drake looks every bit a leader, and he has a crew of solemn-faced men to back him up." Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound, also known often as CoS, is a Chicago-based music website featuring news, album and concert reviews, and editorials. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook micro-site, which serves as an on-line database for music festival news and rumors...
commented by saying "if you want to smoke cigars while riding elevators and have posse meetups outside local monuments, Drake can show you the ropes. Most folks are lucky their name on a scoreboard for a birthday." Complex commented on the video by saying "Headlines takes us on a journey through Toronto: The city where he's from. Drizzy brings us high above ground level in the window-surrounded elevator of Toronto's CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
, to the Rogers Centre—home
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
of the Toronto Blue Jays—and to the dinner table where he and his OVO crew puff fat cigars and sip expensive wines."
Remixes
There are artists who have covered this song, some include:- Trey SongzTrey SongzTremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
(Titled: Trey Know) - Jodie AyshaJodie AyshaJodie Aysha Henderson, born in Leeds, is a British singer and song writer.-Biography:She is most recognised for collaborating with British Music Producer T2 on the song "Heartbroken" released in November 2007. Aysha wrote the song when she was 14 about her older sister who at the time was...
(Titled: We Know) - DeStormDestormDeStorm Power is an American YouTube personality. He is the 44th most subscribed user as well as the 8th most subscribed musician on YouTube.- History :...
(Titled: De Knows) - Nick CannonNick CannonNicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
(Titled: Deadlines) - Young JeezyYoung JeezyJay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
- Kel Francisco
- Chipmunk ChipmunkChipmunks are small striped squirrels native to North America and Asia. They are usually classed either as a single genus with three subgenera, or as three genera.-Etymology and taxonomy:...
- Affion CrockettAffion CrockettAffion Crockett is an actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director, and maker of YouTube videos. Affion began his career as a dancer at age 10, winning breaking and popping contests with his older brother...
(They Grow)
The official remix features american rapper T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
Chart performance
The song debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart at number 98 and has since reached number 2 on the chart. The following week, it debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. On the week of October 15, 2011 "Headlines" reached the summit of the Billboard Rap Songs
Hot Rap Songs
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
chart which was his 10th time overall achieving this feat. With the ascension of "Headlines", Drake becomes the artist with the most number 1's of all time on the chart; tied only with fellow rapper Diddy
Diddy
Diddy may refer to:*Sean Combs, an American rap mogul also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff, Puffy and Sean John*Diddy-Dirty Money, an American hip hop group featuring Diddy...
& Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
18 |
| UK R&B Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
18 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
57 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
13 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
2 |
| US Rap Songs Hot Rap Songs Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
1 |
| US Pop Songs | 20 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | August 9, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... , Urban, Rhythmic, Urban AC, Hot AC, and Alternative radio |
| October 18, 2011 | Mainstream Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... airplay |
|