Toosie Slide

Lore & Background

On March 29, 2020, influencer Toosie uploaded a clip of himself and friends performing a dance challenge called the "Toosie Slide" while parts of the song played in the background. Described as a "modern day 'Cha Cha Slide' by DJ Casper," the video went viral after being introduced to TikTok by Toosie, Hiii Key, and Michigan duo Ayo & Teo. As shares spread across social media, fans speculated on Drake's involvement. Drake hinted at an impending release, stating, "I'mma drop soon since ya'll got it going insane." On March 31, 2020, he officially claimed the song via social media, announcing a Friday, April 3, 2020, midnight release. American rapper Lil Baby later revealed via Instagram that Drake had wanted him on the track but he failed to send his verse back.

In Their Own Story

The accompanying music video, directed by Theo Skudra and lasting 5 minutes and 12 seconds, was filmed in Drake's Toronto mansion, nicknamed "The Embassy." Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Drake appears alone, wearing a mask and gloves while demonstrating the dance. The visuals open with quiet, deserted streets reflecting global lockdowns before moving inside where Drake showcases awards in trophy cases and passes a painting of China's Chairman Mao by Andy Warhol. He walks past basketball jerseys, including one honoring the late Kobe Bryant, and two blinking "Four Foot Dissected Companion" sculptures by Kaws. The camera pans across portraits of "lost and distanced" heroes like Prince, Nas, Tupac, and Snoop Dogg before Drake dances into a pool area with neon lighting. The video ends in total darkness with only his white sneakers visible against the black sky as fireworks erupt over his $100 million estate. Originally, Toosii, Hiii Key, and Ayo & Teo were set to appear, but plans were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Reader's Guide

"Toosie Slide" is a trap song featuring "stuttering cymbals," bass drum kicks, and an elliptical beat that highlights Drake's melodic bars. Lyrically, it reflects on "inner pressure," shouts out friends, flirts with admirers, and promises a "hot summer of music." Crucially, it provides specific dance instructions: "It go right foot up, left foot slide/Left foot up, right foot slide/Basically I'm saying, either way we 'bout to slide, aye." Drake noted he initially only intended the song for the moonwalk but Toosie created the dance. The production by Turkish-Swiss producer OZ (Ozan Yildirim) relies heavily on hi-hats and snare drums. Critics were polarized; Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre called it "strictly a business decision," while Billboard's Jason Lipshutz praised its ability to conjure hooks. Commercially, the song debuted at number 18 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 before hitting number one on the main Billboard Hot 100 the following week (chart dated April 18, 2020), making Drake the first male solo artist in US history to debut three songs at number one. In the UK, it peaked at number two initially behind The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" before reaching number one on May 8, 2020.

Did You Know?

• Drake became the first male solo artist in US chart history to debut three songs at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
• The music video was filmed entirely alone by Drake in his Toronto mansion during COVID-19 quarantine, with original plans for the dancers Toosii, Hiii Key, and Ayo & Teo to appear cancelled due to the pandemic.
• Lil Baby revealed on Instagram that he turned down a chance to be on the song because he forgot to send his verse back.
• The dance challenge generated over 5.7 billion views under the hashtag #toosieslide as of July 2021.
• Drake initially stated the song was only about the moonwalk before Toosie created the specific "Toosie Slide" dance to it.