On a recent episode of the Club Ambition podcast, Sound and the crew broke down Drake’s latest cryptic Instagram post, where he hinted at new music with the caption: “And when I drop the next heater… new money might be my only feature.” The team debated the possible meanings behind “New Money” and what it signals for Drake’s future in the industry.
Is “New Money” a Person, a Movement, or a Business Shift?
The crew speculated that “New Money” could either refer to a young, up-and-coming artist or signal a broader shift in Drake’s business strategy. Some believed it might hint at Drake forming a new record label, potentially moving away from Universal Music Group (UMG) after rumors that his contract ended with the For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition. Others theorized that “New Money” could reference outside investors backing a new independent venture, possibly from industries beyond music.
Drake Going Solo?
Sound pointed out that Drake has previously stated he’d release an album with no features, drawing comparisons to Taylor Swift’s solo dominance. The conversation then turned to Drake’s history of collaborations, with the crew noting that many artists he once boosted have now turned against him. Given his recent rap battles and shifting relationships in the industry, some argued that he may be done giving exposure to others and is instead focused on proving himself solo.
Rap vs. R&B: What Direction Will Drake Take?
The team expressed a desire for Drake to focus on rapping rather than melodic, R&B-style records. They praised tracks like Family Matters and 5AM in Toronto but questioned if those types of songs had enough replay value to dominate the charts. The debate highlighted Drake’s need to balance lyrical skill with mainstream appeal.
Industry Shakeups and Possible Independence
The discussion also touched on the changing music industry landscape. With major labels adapting to the streaming era, Drake could be positioning himself for a more independent approach. The crew suggested that he might leverage his influence to create a new model for success outside the traditional label system, similar to what PG Lang has done for Kendrick Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar’s Role and the Playboi Carti Surprise
Towards the end, the conversation shifted to Kendrick Lamar, who recently appeared on Playboi Carti’s album. The crew joked about how Kendrick might be pulling a “50 Cent vs. Ja Rule” move—taking Drake’s formula and making it his own. They also discussed Kendrick’s consistency problem, questioning if he could maintain momentum without long gaps between releases.
The Future of Pusha T and Kanye’s Production Absence
The episode wrapped up with a brief discussion on Pusha T’s upcoming album, which will feature Kendrick Lamar and be fully produced by Pharrell. Some panelists were disappointed that Kanye West wouldn’t be involved, arguing that his beats were stronger than Pharrell’s on previous projects.
Final Takeaway
The Club Ambition team sees Drake’s “New Money” tease as a potential industry-shifting move, whether that means a new record label, a business shift, or a personal decision to go featureless. However, questions remain about how this will impact his musical direction and long-term dominance.
