The Meaning Behind The Song: Controlla by Drake

The Meaning Behind Drake’s “Controlla”

As one of the most popular songs from Drake’s 2016 album Views, “Controlla” quickly climbed the charts and became a staple for the summer of that year. It’s a catchy song with an infectious beat, but it also contains some deeper meaning and insight into Drake’s personal life. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind “Controlla” and what it tells us about Drake as an artist and a person.

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The Inspiration Behind “Controlla”

According to Drake, “Controlla” was inspired by his time in Jamaica. He spent some time on the island in 2015 and became enamored with the culture and lifestyle there. He was particularly struck by the way Jamaican men talk to and treat their women, and that inspired him to write this song.

“I just want to make music and put away the politics and the bullshit and just get back to what makes sense to me, what makes sense to the people,” Drake said in an interview with The Fader. “I went to Jamaica and fell in love with it. And I wanted to make something that would fit in that world.”

The Lyrics of “Controlla”

The lyrics of “Controlla” are, on the surface, an ode to a beautiful woman that Drake has fallen for. However, there are some deeper themes at play here that reveal more about Drake’s personal life and relationships.

In the opening verse, Drake sings about wanting a woman who will be his “sweet one” and “one and only”. He also raps about a desire to control her, saying “I think I’d lie for you / I think I’d die for you / Jodeci ‘Cry For You’.”

This line is particularly interesting, as it references the R&B group Jodeci’s song “Cry For You.” That song is about a man who will do anything for his lover, including crying if that’s what it takes to win her back. By referencing it, Drake is implying that he is also willing to go to great lengths for the woman he is singing about.

In the chorus, Drake repeats the phrase “Controlla” several times, which has led many people to speculate about the true meaning behind the word.

The Meaning of “Controlla”

There are several interpretations of what “Controlla” means in the context of this song. Some people believe that it is a reference to Drake’s desire to control his lover. Others think that it is a nod to the Jamaican patois word “controlluh”, which means to control or manage.

In an interview with Genius, Jamaican artist Popcaan, who is featured on the track, shed some light on the meaning behind the word. He said that “Controlla” is a slang term commonly used in Jamaica to refer to a woman who is “pleasant and nice” and adds “it’s a woman that a man very much enjoys being around.”

So, in the context of the song, “Controlla” could be seen as a term of endearment for the woman that Drake is singing about. It’s a way of expressing his admiration and desire for her, without necessarily implying that he wants to control her.

The Personal side of “Controlla”

Despite the romantic overtones of “Controlla”, there are some hints in the lyrics that suggest a personal relationship that didn’t end well. In the second verse, Drake references a woman who “said she’s done with me” and sings about wanting to “keep it strong” with her.

This could be interpreted as a reference to his tempestuous relationship with Rihanna, who he had an on-again, off-again relationship with for several years. In fact, one of the lines in “Controlla” – “Right, my yiy just changed / You just buzzed the front gate / I thank God you came / How many more days could I wait?” – is identical to a verse in Rihanna’s song “Work” that features Drake.

It’s possible that “Controlla” was Drake’s way of processing his feelings about his breakup with Rihanna and trying to make sense of what went wrong between them.

The Legacy of “Controlla”

“Controlla” continues to be one of Drake’s most beloved songs, and it has spawned countless remixes and covers on platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud. It’s a testament to the catchiness and resonance of the song that it continues to be such a fan favorite years after its initial release.

Beyond that, “Controlla” also gives us a small window into Drake’s personal life and inner world. It reveals his fascination with Jamaican culture, his desire for control and the importance of the women in his life. It’s a song that speaks to universal themes of love, heartbreak and the quest for connection that will continue to resonate with fans for years to come.

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