Started From the Bottom - Drake

by Simon Cleary 

The Experience                    

It's not just the great piano loop or the leap from cash register to private jet. It’s “WE’re here.” Underneath all the swearing Drake offers two real values: hard work and friendship. Started from the Bottom isn't an “I made it” song. It's about his whole team...

Drake made it because - from night shifts to mansions - his friends were with him. He knows the difference between real and fake friends: the real ones aren’t just with you in the ups. They're the ones who stuck with you through the downs. 

The Video                    

The rags-to-riches storyline is a great one, and in a sense it's Drakes reply to rappers like Pusha T and Common: “Boys tell stories about the man, Say I never struggled, wasn't hungry.” But I pass on the music video. Aside from some nice touches like cameoing his mom, it skips most of the hard work and basically showcases Drake's "now we're here". For him, here is about the stuff he has: car, beachhouse, booze, and girls.

My Take                    

Hard work and good friends that help you achieve your dreams? That's a keeper. But it's Drake's dream that seems a bit empty. Sure, he has the houses, cars, girls and booze. But is that the final word on happiness? 

Ask Yourself                   

Where's here for you? Is it just having stuff? Or do you need something deeper? Who do you want to be?

                              LYRICS and MUSIC VIDEO                              

Started....zombie on the track....

[Chorus]
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team * here
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team * here

[Verse 1]
I done kept it real from the jump
Living at my mama's house we'd argue every month
N*gga, I was trying to get it on my own
Working all night, traffic on the way home
And my uncle calling me like "Where ya at?
I gave you the keys told ya bring it right back"
N*gga, I just think its funny how it goes
Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show
And we...

[Chorus]
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team * here
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team * here

[Verse 2]
Boys tell stories about the man
Say I never struggled, wasn't hungry, yeah, I doubt it, n*gga
I could turn your boy into the man
There ain't really much I hear that's poppin' off without us, n*gga
We just want the credit where it's due
I'ma worry about me, give a * about you
N*gga, just as a reminder to myself
I wear every single chain, even when I'm in the house
Cause we...

[Chorus]
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team * here
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team * here

[Bridge]
No new n*ggas, n*gga we don't feel that
F*ck a fake friend, where you real friends at?
We don't like to do too much explaining
Story stays the same I never changed it
No new n*ggas, n*gga we don't feel that
* a fake friend, where you real friends at?
We don't like to do too much explaining
Story stay the same through the money and the fame
Cause we...

[Chorus]
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team * here
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now my whole team here, n*gga
Started from the bottom now we're here
Started from the bottom now the whole team * here