The Drake Effect: 10 Rappers He Took Mainstream, From Migos To Lil Durk

A Drake feature is one of the most coveted co-signs in hip-hop. "You get Drizzy on a track, he'll put you on the map!" he raps on 'Certified Lover Boy.' Facts. Here are 10 rappers Drizzy pushed to new heights…

10. Lil Durk

One thing a Drake verse can't replace is hard work. Lil Durk not only earned every second of his appearance on Drake's 2020 anthem "Laugh Now Cry Later" – he made the most of the moment with the above pun.

While he's charted more Hot 100 songs than any other artist this year, Durk's Drake collab remains his lone top 10 entry.

9. BlocBoy JB

BlocBoy JB was destined to be a star thanks to his undeniable dance moves and potent Memphis drawl. But Drake alerted the masses to "Look Alive" when he linked with Bloc and his go-to producer, Tay Keith, in 2018.

The song remains Bloc's only Hot 100 hit as a lead artist, and it's been streamed over 800 million times on Spotify.

8. Rick Ross

Drizzy and Rick Ross first made magic together back in 2009 with the timeless jam "Aston Martin Music." Since then, they've dropped hella gems and are even teasing a full-length joint project.

Though Rozay has had plenty of solo success, it's a fact that all three of his top 10 entries on the Hot 100 feature The Boy.

7. Meek Mill

Does anyone owe Drake for their commercial status more than Meek Mill? Drake appeared on "Amen," Meek's first Hot 100 hit as a lead artist.

Then, he made him the subject of "Back To Back," one of the most famous diss songs ever. After making amends, he blessed Meek with his highest-charting track ever, "Going Bad."

6. Smiley

The latest example of the true scale of "The Drake Effect" is Smiley. Making a name for himself in the 6, Drizzy took notice and signed Smiley to OVO Sound.

The 34-year-old even kickstarted Smiley's playlist presence with a swagger-filled hook for "Over The Top." It's been played 36x more than his next most popular Spotify release.

5. Yung Bleu

It's clear Drake knows untapped talent when he hears it, and Yung Bleu is one of his most visionary picks. The 27-year-old crooner from Alabama was sitting on a soulful smash with "You're Mines Still."

Drizzy put his intimate touch on the earworm and immediately launched Bleu to another realm of influence.

4. Lil Baby

Lil Baby's rise has been nothing short of meteoric, so it's easy to overlook the role Drake played during his earliest days of success. "Yes Indeed" and "Never Recover," both featuring Drizzy as well as Gunna, marked Baby's first entries in the Hot 100 top 10 and top 20.

Plus, "Wants and Needs" is his highest-charting song to date.

3. ILOVEMAKONNEN

Back in the mid-2010s, "Tuesday" emerged as the hottest day of the week after Drake blessed ILOVEMAKONNEN's breakout hit of the same name.

The song peaked at #12 on the Hot 100 and Makonnen signed a deal with OVO Sound. Though they parted ways a couple of years later, Makonnen has carved his own niche.

2. Drakeo The Ruler

On "Papi's Home," Drake suggests there are rappers who should be considered his sons. While Drakeo The Ruler built a reputation in Los Angeles off the strength of his own expansive catalog, it's only fitting that Drake lends some clout to his namesake.

Released this year, "Talk To Me" is Drakeo's most-streamed song on Spotify.

1. Migos

"Versace, Versace / We stay at the mansion when we in Miami!" Just one of many memorable Drake flexes from his appearance on Migos' "Versace," which took the trio and their signature triplet flow to the moon in 2013.

Who knew five years later they'd be playing arenas across the country for the Aubrey & The Three Migos Tour.