12 Things We Learned From Drake’s 100 Gigs "For Your Headtop" Archive Dump

Aug 10

Drake has been known for dropping surprises, but what he did yesterday took things to a whole new level. On Tuesday (August 6), the 6ix God made a surprising move by taking his secret Instagram account public and revealing a link to 100Gigs.org. This virtual museum is essentially a massive archive showcasing his work from the last 13 years. Named *100 Gigs on Your Headtop*, this collection is a treasure trove of all things Drake—a deep dive into his artistry, process, and the human side behind one of the most influential and meme-worthy musicians of the past two decades.

The journey begins with fresh music. You'll find the eerie "It’s Up," featuring 21 Savage and Young Thug, the smooth "Housekeeping Knows" with Latto, and the island-inspired "Blue Green Red." But it doesn't stop there—beneath the new tracks lies a goldmine of Drizzy history. Ever wonder what Drake was rocking when he made "Hotline Bling"? It’s all there. Curious about what the studio vibes were like during the *Certified Loverboy* era? You can see it. Want a behind-the-scenes peek into the making of *Honestly, Nevermind*? There’s plenty of footage to satisfy that curiosity. It’s not quite a documentary, not an album, not a compilation—it’s 100 gigs worth of material, much of it highly intriguing, especially given the curiosity surrounding Drake’s next move after his high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar.

Whether this is a response to recent events or just another strategic part of his marketing campaign is unclear—a bridge between his new collaboration with PartyNextDoor and a reminder of his legacy. Maybe he would’ve done this even without "Not Like Us." Maybe not. Either way, there’s a lot to explore.

Here are 12 insights we gained from Drake's *100 Gigs on Your Headtop*:

1. The Inspiration Behind "Hotline Bling" and a Missed Opportunity with Future:

Drake and Future eventually scored a No. 1 hit together, but it could have happened much sooner. Among the archival footage is a clip of Drake working on "Hotline Bling" and briefly considering adding Future to the track. This collaboration could have been a hit back then, showing a synergy that was different from their *What a Time to Be Alive* era. Drake also reveals that the title was inspired by a nickname he had for a former flame, saving her contact as 'Hotline Bling' after her phone constantly buzzed post-encounter. And just like that, "Courtney From Peachtree" has some new competition.

2. "Too Good" Was About Serena Williams:

In an intimate studio session, Drake confesses to his mother that "Too Good," featuring Rihanna, was actually about Serena Williams, with whom he’s been romantically linked. Despite also having a past with Rihanna, he explains that when he writes about women, he makes sure they would appreciate the song. He knew Serena would hear it loud and clear but wouldn’t hate him for it since the song was light-hearted.

3. Drake and Cam’ron Shared a Special Moment Before the Apollo Show:

After securing Cam’ron’s iconic pink coat for his 2023 Apollo performance, Drake ended up on FaceTime with the Harlem legend. The conversation left him reflecting on the significance of the moment, admitting, “I grew up staring at this jacket.”

4. Drake's Alternative Album Covers Are Surprisingly Impressive:

The site reveals several alternative album covers that never made the cut, ranging from delicate to cartoonish. These alternatives for albums like *Certified Lover Boy*, *Her Loss*, and *Dark Lane Demos*—originally titled *Care Package 2!*—are arguably better than what was officially released.

5. “Trance” Was Almost Included on Honestly, Nevermind:

Metro Boomin already explained why Drake didn’t appear on the final version of “Trance,” but now it’s clear that the track was initially planned for *Honestly, Nevermind*. It appeared in an early tracklist for the album but eventually ended up on *Heroes & Villains*.

6. We’ve Been Misquoting “Know Yourself” for Nine Years:

In an in-studio clip, Drake clarifies a misheard lyric from “Know Yourself.” Instead of “You know how that shit go,” the correct line is “You know how that should go.” Time for Genius to update the lyrics!

7. Dark Lane Demos Was Almost Called Care Package 2:

Drake was churning out projects between 2015 and 2018, so by the time *Scorpion* dropped, a break made sense. In 2019, he released *Care Package*, a compilation of previously unreleased tracks. It turns out *Dark Lane Demos* was initially intended to be *Care Package 2*.

8. His Jay-Z Collaboration “Talk Up” Was a Last-Minute Addition:

Footage from the site reveals that “Talk Up,” Drake’s 2018 collaboration with Jay-Z, came together at the very last moment. Drizzy and his producer, Noah “40” Shebib, are seen figuring out the logistics of getting Jay-Z’s verse in time for the release.

9. Drake Has an Unreleased Track Sampling Yasiin Bey:

Despite Yasiin Bey’s apparent indifference toward Drake, the Toronto rapper respects the Brooklyn legend enough to sample him. There’s footage of Drake rapping over a track that samples Bey’s 2004 song, “The Panties.” The track remains unreleased.

10. Drake’s Thoughts on Lil Yachty’s “Poland”:

Drake has a deep appreciation for Lil Yachty, and in a clip, he praises Yachty’s creative freedom, describing the Atlanta rapper’s “Poland” as a song only someone with Yachty’s unique thinking could create.

11. Over My Dead Body” Was Recorded in a Makeshift Hotel Studio:

By the time Drake recorded *Take Care*, he was already a superstar, yet he made the album’s opener, “Over My Dead Body,” in a makeshift hotel studio. The bare-bones setup is a testament to his dedication, even at the height of his fame.

12. The Original “U Wit Me” Had a Very Different Vibe:

The final version of “U Wit Me” on *Views* is icy and cool, but the original mix was soulful and cinematic. While both versions have their strengths, the unreleased mix featured a Curtis Mayfield sample that eventually went to OVO Sound’s DVSN for “Dear Summer Sixteen.”

Edward Morton

Edward Morton is a passionate music blogger known for his insightful reviews and eclectic taste. With a background in both classical music and modern production, Edward brings a unique perspective to his writing, blending technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for all genres. He started his blog, "Norton's Notes," in 2015, quickly gaining a dedicated following for his honest, detailed critiques and his ability to uncover hidden gems in the music world.

Edward grew up in a musical family in Seattle, where he learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age. His love for music led him to study music theory and composition at the University of Washington. After graduating, he worked as a freelance music producer, which gave him an insider's view of the industry and fueled his desire to share his insights through writing.

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