‘9’ Drake (2016) “9” is a Drake deep cut from Views, released April 29, 2016 via Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment, and Republic Records. The song is built like a late night Toronto checkpoint: cold tone, tight pacing, and verses centered on loyalty, trust issues, and the mental load that comes with fame, money, and constant scrutiny. Instead of aiming for a radio friendly hook, “9” stays focused on mood and message, which is why it often gets talked about as a “Views era” tone setter for the harder, more paranoid side of the album. A key detail is the sample: “9” incorporates elements of “Dying” by Mavado and Serani, adding a dancehall adjacent texture that connects to the Caribbean influence that shows up across Views. That sample choice matters because it reinforces the album’s broader sound palette rap, R&B atmosphere, and Toronto nightlife energy while keeping the record tense rather than celebratory. … #drake #toronto #hiphop #torontorap #views #explorepage #explor...