Fake Love

Lore & Background

The lyrics of "Fake Love" center on a specific theme: the realization that peers only value the artist for his achievements, not for himself. This sentiment is captured directly in the line, "fake people showing fake love to me." The song also incorporates musical history; the lyrics "That's when they smile in my face/Whole time they wanna take my place" are an interpolation of The O'Jays' classic track "Back Stabbers." Written by Drake, Starrah, Vinylz, and Frank Dukes, the production was handled specifically by Vinylz and Frank Dukes. This collaborative effort created a sound that blended R&B elements with the rapper's signature style, exploring the friction between public success and private betrayal.

In Their Own Story

On October 29, 2016, "Fake Love" became available for digital download via Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records. The track served as the lead single for the upcoming 2017 mixtape, *More Life*. As of March 27, 2017, the song had sold exactly 784,000 copies in the United States. Critics like Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork reviewed the song, comparing it to "Hotline Bling" and describing it as "infectious and vaguely familiar, with top notes of several songs in the Drake canon." The song's narrative is built on these specific commercial milestones and critical comparisons rather than fictionalized scenarios.

Reader's Guide

Listeners should note that "Fake Love" features an R&B beat produced by Vinylz and Frank Dukes. Lyrically, it highlights the theme of insincere peers who only care about Drake's success. A key moment in the song is the interpolation of The O'Jays' "Back Stabbers," specifically the lines: "That's when they smile in my face/Whole time they wanna take my place." When exploring this track, pay attention to how these lyrics frame the concept of fake love. For those interested in its reception, remember that as of March 27, 2017, it had achieved 784,000 sales in the US and was praised by Pitchfork for being "infectious" and reminiscent of Drake's earlier hits like "Hotline Bling."

Did You Know?

• "Fake Love" was released for digital download on October 29, 2016.
• The song's production was handled by Vinylz and Frank Dukes.
• Lyrics in the song interpolate The O'Jays' "Back Stabbers" with the lines: "That's when they smile in my face/Whole time they wanna take my place."
• As of March 27, 2017, the single had sold 784,000 copies in the United States.
• Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork compared the track to "Hotline Bling," calling it "infectious and vaguely familiar."