Back to Back (Drake song)

2015 single by Drake

"Back to Back"

Single by Drake
Released| July 29, 2015 (2015-07-29)
Genre|

* Trap[1]

Length| 2:50
Label|

* Cash Money
* Young Money
* Republic

Songwriter(s)|

* Drake Graham
* Jahmar Carter
* Noah Shebib
* Navraj Goraya

Producer(s)|

* Daxz
* 40[2]
* Drake[2]
* Nav[3][4]

Drake singles chronology
| "Where Ya At"
(2015)  | "Back to Back"
(2015)  | "Charged Up"
(2015)

|
|

"Back to Back" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake directed at American rapper Meek Mill during their 2015 feud. Released on July 29, 2015, it was the second diss track released by Drake in the feud, following "Charged Up".[5] The song was described as a "bouncier freestyle" than the latter track.[6]

The song saw critical and commercial success, peaking at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and being nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards. Drake performed both "Charged Up" and "Back to Back" live at OVO Fest 2015.[7][8]

## Cover art

[edit]

The album's cover art is a still of game 6 of the 1993 World Series, when former professional baseball player Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays famously hit a walk-off home run to win the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays repeated as World Series champions, becoming the first MLB franchise founded after 1903, and 7th overall, to win back-to-back titles.[9]

## Background

[edit]

### Meek Mill - Drake beef

[edit]

On July 22, 2015, Meek Mill publicly criticized Drake on Twitter after being upset with the latter's lack of involvement with the promotion of his sophomore album Dreams Worth More Than Money, claiming that Drake had used ghostwriters to write his verse on "R.I.C.O.", and then releasing the reference track to the song.[10] Following this, Drake released two diss songs within a week, "Charged Up" and "Back to Back", both aimed at Meek Mill.[11][12]

The song's title references the Toronto Blue Jays', Drake's hometown team, winning back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. They won their second consecutive championship by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, Meek Mill's hometown team, in the 1993 World Series.[13] Joe Carter, who hit the walk-off home run that ended the series, is depicted on the single's cover.[9]

### Release

[edit]

The song was released on July 29, 2015, the same day that the Blue Jays and Phillies played against each other. It also is a reference to the Back-to-Back release of diss tracks. Meek Mill later responded with another diss song about Drake, titled "Wanna Know".[14] Meek Mill later removed his diss to Drake on SoundCloud.[15]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

"Back to Back" debuted and peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.[16] The song also debuted and peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, with its chart entrance fueled by 122,000 first-week digital download sales and 4.5 million streams.[17] As of September 2015, "Back to Back" has sold 253,000 copies in the United States.[18] The song is 2× platinum per the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[19]

## Cultural significance and aftermath

[edit]

A different version of the song with humorous lyrics was used in the Saturday Night Live skit "Drake's Beef",[20] in the May 14, 2016 show (Season 41, Episode 20), which Drake performed on and hosted.

After the two rappers repaired their relationship, they went on to release the collaboration "Going Bad" in 2018. Meek Mill shouted out "Back to Back" in the verse, with the line "Me and Drizzy back-to-back, it's gettin' scary" followed by an ad-lib of "Back-to-Back!".[21] Meek Mill also freestyled over the "Back to Back" beat during a December 2018 appearance on Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show.[22]

### Legacy

[edit]

In a 2024 list of the 50 best diss tracks in hip-hop history, Complex put "Back to Back" at #8, noting it "builds to raucous moments that serve as death blows to Meek Mill and also creates club-ready bellow-along-with-your-boys moments—it’s genius". The song was also referenced by American rapper Kendrick Lamar during the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud on his single "Euphoria".[23]

## Personnel

[edit]

All are credited as songwriters. Adapted from TIDAL and comments to Genius.[24][25]

* Daxz – producer
* Drake – co-producer, vocals
* 40 – co-producer
* Nav – producer, chords

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2015)  | Peak
position

|

Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] | 27
France (SNEP)[27] | 152
UK Singles (OCC)[28] | 77
US Billboard Hot 100[29] | 21
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] | 8
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[31] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2015)  | Position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[32] | 99

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[33] | Platinum  | 70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] | Silver  | 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[35] | 2× Platinum  | 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Drake: '6PM in NY' or 'Bing Rings?' Lyrical Style or Trap Style? Which Drizzy do You Prefer? : Entertainment : Design & Trend". Archived from the original on 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
2. ^ a b "Noah Shebib on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
3. ^ "Nav on Twitter: "Fammmm is that the chords i played or am i trippin @Daxz416"". Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
4. ^ "Nav on Twitter: "Blessed i could be a part of drakes diss...thank u @Daxz416"". Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
5. ^ "Drake - Back To Back (Meek Mill Diss) [New song]". HotNewHipHop. 29 July 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
6. ^ Gayomali, Chris (2015-07-29). "Drake vs. Meek Mill Explained in 60 Seconds". GQ. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
7. ^ "Drake Performs Back to Back During OVO Fest". Bossip. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
8. ^ "Drake Performs "Back To Back" At OVO Fest 2015". YouTube. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
9. ^ a b Corrigan, Drew. "Drake Uses Blue Jays' 1993 World Series Win as Cover Art for Meek Mill Diss". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
10. ^ Angela Stephanou (July 22, 2015). "Meek Mill Says Drake Doesn't Write His Own Raps In Twitter Rant". Retrieved July 22, 2015. "Stop comparing drake to me too.... He don't write his own raps! That's why he ain't tweet my album because we found out!"
11. ^ "Drake Fires Back at Meek Mill on 'Charged Up' | Rap-Up". rap-up.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
12. ^ "Drake Disses Meek Mill Again on 'Back to Back' Freestyle | Rap-Up". rap-up.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
13. ^ Mike Dyce (29 July 2015). "Drake uses Blue Jays' World Series win over Phillies to troll Meek Mill". Retrieved 30 January 2016.
14. ^ "Meek Mill hits back at Drake with diss track 'Wanna Know'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
15. ^ Owoseje, Toyin (13 August 2015). "Meek Mill ends Drake beef with open letter before removing his Wanna Know diss song from Soundcloud". Ibtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
16. ^ "Drake - Chart History - Canada Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
17. ^ Mendizabal, Amaya (August 12, 2015). "Drake Takes Over Charts in Wake of Meek Mill Feud". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
18. ^ Mansell, Henry (September 5, 2015). "Hip Hop Single Sales: Silentó, The Weeknd & Fetty Wap". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
19. ^ Suarez, Gary. "Drake Is Now The RIAA's Top Certified Singles Artist Ever". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
20. ^ "Drake's Beef". YouTube. 15 May 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
21. ^ "Drake & Meek Mill Drop Surprise New Song 'Going Bad' After Ending Their Beef". Capital XTRA. 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
22. ^ Renshaw, David (2018-12-04). "Watch Meek Mill freestyle over Drake's "Back To Back"". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
23. ^ Complex (2024-05-14). "50 Best Hip-Hop Diss Songs of All Time". Complex. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
24. ^ "Back to Back Credits". listen.tidal.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
25. ^ "NAV Helped Make Drake's "Back To Back" Before He Was Signed To XO". Genius. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
26. ^ "Drake - Chart History - Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
27. ^ "Drake – Back to Back" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
29. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
30. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
31. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
32. ^ "Hot 100: Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
33. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
34. ^ "British single certifications – Drake – Back to Back". British Phonographic Industry.
35. ^ "American single certifications – Drake – Back to Back". Recording Industry Association of America.

* v
* t
* e

Drake songs

Singles discography

So Far Gone
(Mixtape / EP)|

* "Successful"
* "Best I Ever Had"
* "I'm Goin' In"

We Are Young Money|

* "Every Girl"
* "BedRock"

Thank Me Later|

* "Fireworks"
* "Over"
* "Up All Night"
* "Fancy"
* "Miss Me"
* "Find Your Love"
* "9AM in Dallas"

Take Care|

* "Over My Dead Body"
* "Headlines"
* "Crew Love"
* "Take Care"
* "Marvins Room"
* "We'll Be Fine"
* "Make Me Proud"
* "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)"
* "The Motto"

Nothing Was the Same|

* "Tuscan Leather"
* "Furthest Thing"
* "Started from the Bottom"
* "Wu-Tang Forever"
* "Worst Behavior"
* "From Time"
* "Hold On, We're Going Home"
* "The Language"
* "Too Much"
* "Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2"
* "All Me"

If You're Reading This
It's Too Late|

* "Energy"
* "Preach"

What a Time to Be Alive|

* "Jumpman"

Views|

* "Controlla"
* "One Dance"
* "Pop Style"
* "Too Good"
* "Hotline Bling"

More Life|

* "Free Smoke"
* "No Long Talk"
* "Passionfruit"
* "Gyalchester"
* "Portland"
* "KMT"
* "Glow"
* "Fake Love"
* "Teenage Fever"

Scary Hours / Scorpion|

* "God's Plan" / "Diplomatic Immunity"
* "Survival"
* "Nonstop"
* "Elevate"
* "Emotionless"
* "I'm Upset"
* "8 Out of 10"
* "Mob Ties"
* "Can't Take a Joke"
* "Talk Up"
* "Jaded"
* "Nice for What"
* "That's How You Feel"
* "In My Feelings"
* "Don't Matter to Me"

Care Package|

* "Trust Issues"
* "Paris Morton Music"

Dark Lane Demo Tapes|

* "Chicago Freestyle"
* "Toosie Slide"
* "Time Flies"
* "Pain 1993"
* "War"
* "Desires"

Scary Hours 2|

* "What's Next"
* "Wants and Needs"
* "Lemon Pepper Freestyle"

Certified Lover Boy|

* "Champagne Poetry"
* "Papi's Home"
* "Girls Want Girls"
* "In the Bible"
* "Love All"
* "Fair Trade"
* "Way 2 Sexy"
* "TSU"
* "N 2 Deep"
* "No Friends in the Industry"
* "Knife Talk"
* "7AM on Bridle Path"
* "Race My Mind"
* "Fountains"

Honestly, Nevermind|

* "Falling Back"
* "Sticky"
* "Massive"
* "Jimmy Cooks"

Her Loss|

* "Rich Flex"
* "Major Distribution"
* "On BS"
* "Spin Bout U"
* "Circo Loco"
* "Pussy & Millions"
* "Jumbotron Shit Poppin"

For All the Dogs /
Scary Hours Edition|

* "Virginia Beach"
* "Amen"
* "Calling for You"
* "Fear of Heights"
* "Daylight"
* "First Person Shooter"
* "IDGAF"
* "7969 Santa"
* "Slime You Out"
* "8AM in Charlotte"
* "Gently"
* "Rich Baby Daddy"
* "Evil Ways"
* "You Broke My Heart"

Drake–Kendrick
Lamar feud|

* "Push Ups"
* "Taylor Made Freestyle"
* "Family Matters"
* "The Heart Part 6"

Other songs|

* "Forever"
* "0 to 100 / The Catch Up"
* "Charged Up"
* "Back to Back"
* "Right Hand"
* "Summer Sixteen"
* "Sneakin' "
* "Two Birds, One Stone"
* "No Frauds"
* "Signs"
* "Yes Indeed"
* "Duppy Freestyle"
* "Only You Freestyle"
* "Laugh Now Cry Later"
* "Bubbly"
* "Search & Rescue"
* "On the Radar Freestyle"
* "Wah Gwan Delilah"
* "It's Up"

As featured artist|

| 2009|

* "Throw It in the Bag (Remix)"
* "The One"
* "Money to Blow"
* "I Invented Sex"
* "Say Something"
* "4 My Town (Play Ball)"

|

2010|

* "Gonorrhea"
* "Wavin' Flag (Haiti Mix)"
* "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready) (Remix)"
* "Right Above It"
* "Loving You No More"
* "What Up?"
* "Aston Martin Music"
* "Deuces (Remix)"
* "What's My Name?"
* "Fall for Your Type"
* "In the Morning"
* "Moment 4 Life"

2011|

* "Feel Love"
* "Unusual"
* "I'm on One"
* "She Will"
* "It's Good"
* "Still Got It"
* "Round of Applause"
* "Mr. Wrong"

2012|

* "Champion"
* "Stay Schemin'"
* "No Lie"
* "Pop That"
* "Amen"
* "Enough Said"
* "Diced Pineapples"
* "We in This Bitch 1.5"
* "Fuckin' Problems"
* "The Zone"

2013|

* "Poetic Justice"
* "Right Here"
* "Love Me"
* "No Guns Allowed"
* "No New Friends"
* "Live For"
* "I Do It"
* "Cabaret"
* "Know Bout Me"
* "Mine"

2014|

* "Odio"
* "Who Do You Love?"
* "Trophies"
* "Believe Me"
* "Recognize"
* "Tuesday"
* "Only"

2015|

* "Truffle Butter"
* "Blessings"
* "100"
* "R.I.C.O."
* "Where Ya At"

2016|

* "Work"
* "Come and See Me"
* "Why You Always Hatin?"
* "For Free"
* "No Shopping"
* "Back on Road"
* "Big Amount"
* "Used to This"

2017|

* "Both"
* "Come Closer"
* "To the Max"
* "No Complaints"

2018|

* "Look Alive"
* "Walk It Talk It"
* "Lemon (Remix)"
* "Girls Need Love"
* "Bigger Than You"
* "Sicko Mode"
* "No Stylist"
* "Never Recover"
* "Flip the Switch"
* "Mia"
* "Going Bad"

2019|

* "No Guidance"
* "Gold Roses"
* "Won't Be Late"
* "Loyal"

2020|

* "Life Is Good"
* "Oprah's Bank Account"
* "Greece"
* "Popstar"
* "Mr. Right Now"
* "Outta Time"
* "You're Mines Still (Remix)"

2021|

* "Talk to Me"
* "Solid"
* "Having Our Way"
* "Wasting Time"
* "Over the Top"

2022|

* "P Power"
* "Wait for U"
* "I'm on One"
* "Churchill Downs"
* "Staying Alive"

2023|

* "We Caa Done"
* "Who Told You"
* "Parade on Cleveland"
* "Oh U Went"
* "Meltdown"
* "Needle"

2024|

* "Act II: Date @ 8"
* "U My Everything"
* "Modo Capone"

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