Ah, Drake—Canada’s golden boy, the man who once made us feel like we were “more than just an option” and “God’s Plan” was in full effect. But somewhere along the way, the magic faded. What was once endearing and relatable has now become a punchline in the great comedy of modern pop culture. This week, Hot Garbage proudly (and reluctantly) crowns Drake as our Trash Artist of the Week. Let’s dig into why the Champagne Papi is now flat as yesterday’s soda.

From Degrassi to Deity Status: The Early Days

Let’s rewind the clock to the days when Drake was just a kid named Aubrey Graham, starring as Jimmy Brooks in Degrassi: The Next Generation. Back then, no one could have predicted that this wheelchair-bound teenager would evolve into one of the biggest names in music. But evolve he did. After leaving the land of Canadian teen drama, Drake took a shot at the music industry, releasing his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. And boy, was that title prophetic.

Soon after, Drake became the darling of the music world, dropping So Far Gone, the mixtape that had everyone from college freshmen to middle-aged men vibing to “Best I Ever Had”. It was a moment—Drake was a moment. He was that rare artist who could get in his feelings without making you want to throw up. He was cool, yet vulnerable. He had a way of making heartbreak sound like a badge of honor, and for a while, it worked.

The Rise of the Meme King

Fast forward a few years, and Drake was on top of the world. Hits like “Take Care,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” and “Started from the Bottom” solidified his place as not just a rapper, but as a cultural phenomenon. The guy was everywhere—on the radio, at the top of the charts, and, more importantly, in our heads. Drake became the voice of a generation, the guy who could perfectly capture what it felt like to be young, confused, and hopelessly in love.

But as the hits kept coming, so did the memes. Drake’s emotional vulnerability, once seen as a strength, started to be viewed as comedic fodder. The iconic “Drake the type of guy” memes were born, poking fun at his sensitive nature. Sure, the internet loves to roast anyone who dares to show a softer side, but with Drake, it stuck. And it stuck hard.

By the time the “Hotline Bling” video dropped in 2015, Drake had fully transitioned into meme territory. The video, with its awkward dance moves and even more awkward turtleneck, was an instant hit—not because it was cool, but because it was cringey. Drake had gone from being the guy who made us feel things to the guy we laughed at when we needed a good meme to share in the group chat.

The Decline of the Drake Mystique

As the memes multiplied, so did the questions. Was Drake really the cool, relatable guy we thought he was, or had he just been playing a character all along? As his persona became more caricature than compelling, the mystique began to crumble. Drake, once a beacon of modern masculinity, started to look more like a guy trying too hard to stay relevant.

The release of Views in 2016 was supposed to be a triumphant moment, but instead, it felt like Drake was trying to recapture a magic that had long since faded. Critics and fans alike noticed that the album was more of the same—mood music for people who wanted to feel introspective without actually doing any introspection. The hits were there, sure, but the emotional depth that once defined Drake’s music seemed to be missing.

The same could be said for Scorpion in 2018. Despite giving us bangers like “In My Feelings” and “Nice for What,” the album felt like a hollow victory lap. Drake was still trying to be everything to everyone, but in the process, he ended up being nothing to no one. The album was less about innovation and more about checking off the boxes. It was as if Drake was saying, “Here’s the dance track, here’s the rap track, and here’s the song where I get all up in my feelings. Are you not entertained?”

The Oversaturation of Drake

Let’s be real—part of the reason Drake is now a certified trash artist is that we’ve just had too much of him. He’s everywhere, all the time, and in 2024, it feels like he’s been on a never-ending world tour of mediocrity. When you’re that omnipresent, people start to get tired of you, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Drake.

The constant barrage of features, surprise drops, and social media stunts has turned Drake into an artist who’s more concerned with staying in the spotlight than with creating meaningful work. He’s become the pop culture equivalent of fast food—easily accessible, momentarily satisfying, but ultimately forgettable.

Even his infamous beef with Pusha T, which should have been a defining moment, ended up feeling like a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a rap game that had largely moved on. The diss tracks were fire, no doubt, but they also exposed just how deeply Drake cared about his image. Instead of owning his flaws and evolving, he doubled down on the persona that made him a meme in the first place.

A Legacy Tarnished

Drake’s recent releases have done little to repair the damage. Certified Lover Boy was hyped as a return to form, but it ended up being another forgettable album full of tracks that felt like rehashed versions of his earlier work. It’s clear that Drake is struggling to find his place in a music landscape that’s rapidly changing. The artists who once looked up to him have now surpassed him, and Drake, once the innovator, is now playing catch-up.

Even his attempts at social commentary, like his poorly-received foray into dancehall, feel forced and out of touch. Instead of leading the charge, Drake is now chasing trends, and in doing so, he’s lost the authenticity that once made him a star. He’s no longer the artist who made us feel seen—he’s the artist who makes us roll our eyes and scroll past.

Conclusion: The Fall of the 6 God

Drake’s journey from Degrassi to deity status was impressive, but his fall from grace has been equally dramatic. What was once charming and relatable is now tired and predictable. Drake has become a caricature of himself, a man who’s more concerned with staying relevant than with making meaningful art.

And that’s why, with a heavy heart and a lot of side-eye, we’re naming him Hot Garbage’s Trash Artist of the Week. Sorry, Drake, but it’s time to stop dancing awkwardly in turtlenecks and start figuring out who you really are. Because right now, the only plan we see is God’s Plan to turn you into the punchline of your own joke.