"Greece" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by DJ Khaled featuring Drake | ||||
from the album Khaled Khaled | ||||
A-side | "Popstar" | |||
Released | July 17, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 3:39 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
DJ Khaled singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Drake singles chronology | ||||
|
"Greece" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American musician DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 17, 2020, simultaneously with their other collaboration "Popstar", as the dual lead singles from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled . The songs marked the reunion between Khaled and Drake, who collaborated on various songs since 2010. Both tracks were produced by frequent Drake collaborator OZ. Critics deemed "Greece" a "luxurious" song, comparing Drake's vocals to fellow Canadian singer the Weeknd.
"Greece" peaked at number three on the Canadian Hot 100. Outside Canada, the song topped the charts in Greece, peaked within the top ten of the charts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, the top twenty of the charts in Switzerland and the top forty of the charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Germany and Ireland.
In August 2019, Swiss record producer OZ released a 40-second video on Instagram, showcasing a new project he had been working on. The video featured the same beat later used on "Greece", together with vocals in German by OZ himself. He accompanied the video with the description "oz - greece" and the hashtag #SOLOCAREER. This sparked rumors that the producer, who had previously never come into the spotlight as a lyricist, would release the song as his first fully independent music project. The German lyrics heard in OZ's original release are very similar in meaning and vocal melody to those later used by Drake on the final song. The original video by OZ was later removed from Instagram. [1]
Speculation of a new DJ Khaled and Drake song first arose in January 2020, when Khaled flew to Drake's hometown Toronto. After spending time together in the studio, Khaled stated "It's amazing what you can get done in 24 hours". On May 1, Drake previewed the record during a livestream on Instagram. [2] In June, both Drake and Khaled teased the collaboration by captioning various posts with emojis of an owl and a key, the owl being the mascot of Drake's OVO label and the key unofficially standing for DJ Khaled. Khaled further revealed that "the first single been ready" and confirmed that he was working on a new album. After fans inundated Khaled with questions on the Drake references, he said fans would have to wait a little longer for new music, but did not confirm any music with Drake. [3] The track then leaked in early July. [4]
On July 15, two days before the song's release, Khaled announced his 12th studio album would be titled Khaled Khaled. The announcement was accompanied with a video trailer documenting his life and career, including the birth of his sons, and winning his first Grammy Award. He also announced two songs would be released on July 17, "Greece" and "Popstar", both featuring Drake. [5] DJ Khaled and Drake have collaborated various times, first in 2009 with "Fed Up", [6] and during the 2010s, on "I'm on One" (2011), "No New Friends" (2013), "For Free" (2016) and "To the Max" (2017). [3]
Shortly after the release of the song, OZ explained the production process: "He [co-producer Tiggi] sent me a sample and I flipped his sample to make it more uptempo and clubby. I did the drums and then sent it to Drake. He had the beat and we didn't know he was going to do something. A couple of weeks went by, and he sent the first idea back. From there, we knew it was about to be crazy. The vocals don't sound like the other songs he has with me. I think Noel [Cadastre, Drake's record engineer] did Drake's vocals. We started the song last fall and went back-and-forth on the production side." [7] OZ previously produced Drake's "Toosie Slide" (2020) and several tracks on his 2020 mixtape, Dark Lane Demo Tapes . [7]
"Greece" is a "lavish", [7] "luxurious" song, with Drake promising his lover trips around the world, vacations in Greece, and living a wealthy lifestyle. Drake brings more romance to the track, briefly singing in French. [4] He employs high-pitched vocals throughout the song, [7] and showcases his artistry, switching from singing and rapping from chorus to verse. [8] Drake's "digitally sweetened" vocals were likened to Nav's sound, with a "faint echo" of Drake's song "Dreams Money Can Buy". [9] Comparisons were also drawn to the Weeknd. [6] [10] [11] [12]
The song received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Ross Goldenberg of Dancing Astronaut complimented Drake and DJ Khaled's "tried-and-true formula", and said "Drake flexes his witty lyricism [...] and hits the higher notes for the radio". [13] The New York Times 's Jon Caramanica was less favorable, stating the song "feels more like a notion than a fully formed song, an ambiguous experiment in texture". [9] Rolling Stone 's Charles Holmes said while the song lacks innovation, "there's at least a sense of honed pop craftsmanship on display". [14] Complex 's Jessica McKinney called the song a contender for the Song of the Summer title. [4] Eric Skelton of the same magazine had a differing opinion, saying the song only tries to live up to expectations: "Both of these songs will sound fine playing out of bluetooth speakers at the pool, but they're each missing the spark that made true summer hits like 'I'm on One', 'One Dance' and 'In My Feelings' so inescapable when the weather got warm". [11]
A visualizer was released along with the song, featuring an animated owl with a gold key in its mouth, flying over Greece. [10] An official video is yet to be released. However, in June 2020, DJ Khaled posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Director X, who previously directed Drake's videos for "Hotline Bling", "Life Is Good", and "Work", possibly alluding to the song's video. [3]
"Greece" and "Popstar" debuted at numbers eight and three on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively, becoming Drake's record-extending 24th and 25th debuts in the Hot 100's top 10. It also marked his 39th and 40th Hot 100 top ten entries, breaking Madonna's 18-year record. [15]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [40] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [41] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [42] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [43] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [44] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI) [45] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [46] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [47] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [48] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [49] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece) [50] | Platinum | 2,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The discography of American disc jockey DJ Khaled consists of thirteen studio albums which contain 54 singles ; his videography consists of at least 58 music videos. Khaled's value proposition is his extensive network of artists of whom he enlists to perform on studio recordings. While first accumulating such connections from his work as a live DJ and radio personality, he's since become known himself for numerous quips and phrases uttered on these records—many of which became Internet memes. Furthermore, his interviews, quotes, or other presentative qualities have often been described as "motivational" or "inspirational". Despite commercial success, the albums in Khaled's discography have often garnered largely mixed receptions from music critics.
"Staying Alive" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled featuring Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Lil Baby, released on August 5, 2022 as the lead single from the former's thirteenth studio album God Did (2022). The song contains an interpolation of "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.
"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The hip hop song features Canadian rapper Drake and American rappers Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Nikhil S. and Noah "40" Shebib. It was released for digital download in the United States on May 20, 2011. Remixes and freestyles were released from rappers such as Tyga, Meek Mill, Jamie Drastik, including other rappers.
"For Free" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on June 3, 2016 by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records as the lead single from DJ Khaled's ninth studio album, Major Key. The song was produced by Nineteen85 and Jordan Ullman with co-production from Frankie Cutlass. The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on May 31, 2017, for selling over two million copies in the United States.
"I'm the One" is a song by American disc jockey DJ Khaled featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American rappers Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne. The song was released on April 28, 2017, by We the Best and Epic Records as the second single from Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful. On July 27, 2018, all artists, with the exception of Lil Wayne, were featured on Khaled's "No Brainer" from his eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd (2019). On October 19, 2020, the song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
"To the Max" is a song written and performed by American musician DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. The song was released on June 5, 2017 by We the Best and Epic Records as a promotional single from Khaled's tenth studio album, Grateful (2017). It however was removed from the album and legal streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. The song contains a sample of the 2007 song "Heartbroken" by British artists T2 and Jodie Aysha. American DJ Jayhood remixed "Heartbroken" in 2009 then later in 2015, Haitian-American producer JayO remixed DJ Jayhood's remix of "Heartbroken" and named it "Gus Get Em Right". All the above remixes of "Heartbroken" were used by DJ Khaled without credits to, or permission from T2 and Jodie Aysha. A further sample used includes "Lit" by 1WayFrank.
"Wild Thoughts" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna and American singer Bryson Tiller. It was released on June 16, 2017, by We the Best and Epic Records as the third single from Khaled's tenth studio album, Grateful (2017). Canadian singer PartyNextDoor assisted the artists in writing the song, with production handled by Khaled. A mid-tempo pop song, "Wild Thoughts" consists of Latin percussion, acoustic guitar lines and riffs that interpolate the 1999 hit single "Maria Maria" by Santana. Lyrically, the song praises a lover who inspires sexual thoughts.
"Freaky Friday" is a song by American rapper Lil Dicky featuring American singer Chris Brown and uncredited vocals from Ed Sheeran, DJ Khaled, and Kendall Jenner. Written alongside Ammo and Nicholas Audino and produced by Mustard, Benny Blanco and Twice as Nice, it was released by Dirty Burd on March 15, 2018, alongside its music video.
"No Brainer" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American rappers Chance the Rapper and Quavo. The song was released on July 27, 2018, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records, the second single from Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd (2019). It marks the second collaboration between the artists, following 2017's "I'm the One", from Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful. Khaled produced the song with DaviDior, Sir Nolan, Nic Nac and Poo Bear. The song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
"Mia", also known as ''Mía'' is a song by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny featuring vocals from Canadian rapper Drake. The song was released through OVO Sound, Rimas Entertainment and Warner Bros. Records on October 11, 2018 as the second single from his debut studio album, X 100pre (2018). It was written by Benito Martinez, Aubrey Graham, Edgar Semper Vargas, Elvin Peña, Francis Diaz, Henry Pulman, Luian Malave Nieves, Joseph Negron Velez, Noah Assad and Xavier Semper Vargas, and produced by DJ Luian and Mambo Kingz.
"Going Bad" is a song by the American rapper Meek Mill featuring the Canadian rapper Drake. It was the first single released from his album Championships (2018) on January 22, 2019, to US urban contemporary radio. The music video was teased in February 2019 and also released that month. The single was Mill's first and Drake's 24th number one single on Billboard's Rhythmic Songs chart in its March 30, 2019, issue.
"Wish Wish" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled featuring American rapper Cardi B and Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, taken from Khaled's 2019 studio album Father of Asahd. It was released on May 17, 2019, as track two on its parent album. This song marked the second time each artist had worked with another, their firsts being: Cardi B and 21 Savage on "Bartier Cardi" (2017), 21 Savage and DJ Khaled on "Iced Out My Arms" (2017), and DJ Khaled and Cardi B on "Dinero" (2018).
"Just Us" is a song by American producer DJ Khaled featuring R&B singer SZA from Khaled's 2019 album Father of Asahd. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on May 21, 2019, as the fourth single off the album. The song samples Outkast's "Ms. Jackson".
"No Guidance" is a song by Northamerican singer And Song-Writer Chris Brown featuring vocals from Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on June 8, 2019, as the fourth single from Brown's ninth studio album, Indigo (2019). The song was written by Brown, Drake, Velous and Nija Charles, and produced by Vinylz, J-Louis, Teddy Walton, and Canadian producer 40.
"Life Is Good" is a song by American rapper Future featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on January 10, 2020 and later confirmed to be the third single from the former's eighth studio album High Off Life.
"Toosie Slide" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020). Written alongside producer OZ, it was released as the lead single on April 3, 2020, through Republic and OVO. The song is titled after social media influencer, Toosii, who had previously helped the song go viral. A video was released alongside the song, showing Drake quarantined, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also demonstrates the Toosie Slide dance in his Toronto mansion. The song debuted at number eighteen on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 before debuting at number one on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart the next week, making Drake the first male artist to accomplish three number-one debuts.
"Popstar" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 17, 2020, simultaneously with their other collaboration "Greece", as the dual lead singles from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled. Both songs were produced by frequent Drake collaborator OZ. It marked the sixth and seventh collaborations between Khaled and Drake, and their first since 2017's "To the Max". The mid-tempo "Popstar" sees Drake boasting about being the "popstar" of the generation. The song proved to be more successful than "Greece", debuting at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number-one in Drake's native Canada.
"Laugh Now Cry Later" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rapper Lil Durk. It was released through Republic Records and OVO Sound as a single on August 14, 2020. The two artists wrote the song alongside producers Cardo, Rogét Chahayed, G. Ry, Bryan Yepes and Yung Exclusive. It was originally the intended lead single from Drake's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy (2021).
"Wait for U" is a song by American rapper Future featuring Canadian rapper Drake and Nigerian singer Tems. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the second single from Future's ninth studio album, I Never Liked You, on May 3, 2022.
"Jimmy Cooks" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring British rapper 21 Savage, released on June 17, 2022 as the final track from the former's seventh studio album Honestly, Nevermind, with the latter being the only guest appearance on the album.