The Language

{{About|the song|other uses|Language (disambiguation)}}

{{Distinguish|text= the Austroasiatic language known as "The"}}

{{Infobox song

| name = The Language

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Drake

| album = Nothing Was the Same

| released = {{Start date|2013|10|29}}

| recorded = 2013

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Hip hop

| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=44}}

| label = {{Flat list|

}}

| writer = {{Flat list|

}}

| producer = {{Flat list|

}}

| chronology = Drake

| prev_title = Pound Cake

| prev_year = 2013

| next_title = Too Much

| next_year = 2013

}}

"The Language" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same (2013). "The Language" was produced by frequent collaborator Boi-1da, along with additional production by Allen Ritter and Vinylz. It also features an outro from Cash Money Records founder Birdman. The song was serviced to mainstream urban radio on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from the album in the US and has peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background

In the early months of 2013, there were rumors of a disconnection between Drake and Cash Money Records, which only caught more fire due to him not appearing on the compilation album Rich Gang. On "The Language" Drake addresses these rumors saying, "Cash Money Records forever, I'm always Big-Tyming, bitch/ I came up right under Stunna."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714591/drake-nothing-was-the-same-lyrics.jhtml |title=Drake's Nothing Was The Same: 10 Subliminal Shots And Shout-Outs We Can't Ignore – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV.com |date=2013-09-25 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006025653/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714591/drake-nothing-was-the-same-lyrics.jhtml |url-status=dead }} In August 2013, Big Sean released "Control" featuring Kendrick Lamar, where Lamar called out a group of rappers he has collaborated with including Drake, also saying he would "murder" them lyrically on a track. That same month, Drake spoke to Billboard, where he responded saying, "It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That's all it was. I know good and well that Kendrick's not murdering me, at all, in any platform."{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-bet-cypher |title=Kendrick Lamar Drake Diss BET Cypher |publisher=Complex |date=2013-09-16 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004126/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-bet-cypher |url-status=live }} In a following interview he acted passively, putting down Lamar's verse as having no lasting significance.{{cite web |first=Sowmya |last=Krishnamurthy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/drake-brushes-off-kendricks-control-diss-20130923 |title=Drake Opens Up About Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West at NYU | Music News |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2013-09-23 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001335/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/drake-brushes-off-kendricks-control-diss-20130923 |url-status=live }}

"The Language" was produced by OVO Sound producer Boi-1da, and co-produced by Boi-1da's frequent collaborators Allen Ritter and Vinylz.{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5720656/drake-nothing-was-the-same-track-by-track-review |title=Drake, 'Nothing Was The Same': Track-By-Track Review |publisher=Billboard |date=2013-09-24 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927093123/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5720656/drake-nothing-was-the-same-track-by-track-review |url-status=live }} In February 2013, the main producer of the song, Boi-1da contacted Ritter and Vinylz to come work on Nothing Was the Same with Drake and Boi-1da. While working with him they created, "No New Friends", "5AM in Toronto" and the instrumental for "The Language".{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/interview-vinylz-and-allen-ritter-talk-co-producing-drakes-language |title=Interview: Vinylz And Allen Ritter Talk Co-Producing Drake's 'The Language' |publisher=Vibe |date=2013-09-24 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926164004/http://www.vibe.com/article/interview-vinylz-and-allen-ritter-talk-co-producing-drakes-language |url-status=live }} Cash Money Records CEO Birdman also appears on the outro of the song in the same way he appeared on, "We'll Be Fine" from Take Care.{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/birdman-denies-drake-taking-shots-kendrick-lamar-language/ |title=Birdman Denies Drake Was Taking Shots At Kendrick Lamar On "The Language" – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-09-26 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007060821/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/birdman-denies-drake-taking-shots-kendrick-lamar-language/ |url-status=live }}

Music and lyrics

Drake's flow on the song was described as being similar to Migos, known for their hit song "Versace", whose remix featured Drake.{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/drake-nothing-was-the-same-voice-of-millennials |title=Drake "Nothing Was The Same" Voice of the Millennial Generation? |publisher=Complex |date=2013-09-20 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008162445/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/drake-nothing-was-the-same-voice-of-millennials |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714906/migos-drake-versace-influence-interview.jhtml |title=Did Drake Make Migos 'Mad' By Copping Their Flow? |publisher=MTV.com |date=2013-10-01 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001225854/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714906/migos-drake-versace-influence-interview.jhtml |url-status=dead }} It was rumored that Drake subliminally dissed Lamar in "The Language" when he raps,

"Fuck any nigga that’s talkin’ that shit just to get a reaction / Fuck going platinum, I looked at my wrist and it’s already platinum / I am the kid with the motor mouth / I am the one you should worry about / I don't know who you're referring to, who is this nigga you heard about?"{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25561/title.birdman-denies-drake-dissing-kendrick-lamar-on-the-language- |title=Birdman Denies Drake Dissing Kendrick Lamar On "The Language" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2013-09-26 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001215719/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25561/title.birdman-denies-drake-dissing-kendrick-lamar-on-the-language- |url-status=live }}
Birdman appeared on MTV shortly after the album's release denying that the line was directed at Kendrick Lamar. Then shortly after, Lamar reportedly responded in the BET Hip Hop Awards TDE cypher where he says, ""And nothing's been the same since they dropped Control, and tucked a sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes"."{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/466508/kendrick-lamar-disses-drake-in-2013-bet-cypher-calls-him-sensitive-and-fake-listen-now |title=Kendrick Lamar Disses Drake, Calls Him Sensitive and Fake—Listen Now! | E! Online UK |publisher=Eonline.com |date=2013-08-14 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006054332/http://www.eonline.com/news/466508/kendrick-lamar-disses-drake-in-2013-bet-cypher-calls-him-sensitive-and-fake-listen-now |url-status=live }} However, it was also rumored Lamar's verse was directed towards Papoose.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/kendrick-lamar-diss-drake-papoose/|title=Did Kendrick Lamar Diss Drake or Papoose? – XXL|date=3 October 2013 |access-date=2013-10-05|archive-date=2013-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005173507/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/kendrick-lamar-diss-drake-papoose/|url-status=live}} In a December 2013 interview with Vibe, Drake spoke on the rumor saying:
""It’s a commitment to go there. 'The Language' is just energy. What it was inspired by, I’m sure that, and other things. It’s just me talking my shit. I never once felt the need to respond to that record. The sentiment he was putting forth is what he should have. Of course you wanna be the best. Where it became an issue is that I was rolling out an album while that verse was still bubbling, so my album rollout became about this thing. What am I supposed to say? 'Nah, we’ll be buddy-buddy?' Mind you, I never once said he’s a bad guy [or] I don’t like him. I think he’s a fucking genius in his own right, but I also stood my ground as I should."{{Cite web|url = http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27369/title.kendrick-lamar-revisits-meeting-dr-dre-drake-buried-alive-collaboration|title = Kendrick Lamar Revisits Meeting Dr. Dre & Drake "Buried Alive" Collaboration|date = 4 February 2014|access-date = 5 February 2014|archive-date = 22 February 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021806/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27369/title.kendrick-lamar-revisits-meeting-dr-dre-drake-buried-alive-collaboration|url-status = live}}

Critical reception

"The Language" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Nick Cutucci of Entertainment Weekly named the song, along with "Hold On, We're Going Home" as the album's best songs.{{cite web |author=Nick Catucci on Oct 02, 2013 @catucci |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/10/09/nothing-was-same-album/ |title=Nothing Was the Same Album Review |publisher=EW.com |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001080517/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20738160,00.html |url-status=live }} of Billboard credited Drake with arrogantly reinstating his spot in the rap game with the song. William E. Ketchum of HipHopDX stated, that Drake "reuses the precise staccato flow from Drizzy’s verse on Migos' "Versace" to stunt on competition."{{cite web |last=Ketchum |first=William E. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2150/title.drake-nothing-was-the-same |title=Drake – Nothing Was The Same | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2013-09-23 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930222353/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2150/title.drake-nothing-was-the-same/ |url-status=live }} David Drake of Complex described the song as, "unexpected bursts of blunt honesty that suggest, strangely, a rhetorical maturity, if not a personal one."

Andrew Unterberger of PopDust said, "The Language" might not as rich as some of Drake's more emo tracks, but it's necessary to keep the balance for Drake, who would surely become overbearing if all he ever sang about was Facebook stalking girls from high school. Plus, it's fun to hear Drake engage his more caddish self every once in a while–he does sleazy a lot better than he does angry anyway."{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Unterberger |url=http://popdust.com/2013/09/16/drakes-nothing-was-the-same-reviewed-the-language/ |title=Drake's "Nothing Was the Same" Reviewed: "The Language" |work=Popdust |date=2013-09-16 |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011185534/http://popdust.com/2013/09/16/drakes-nothing-was-the-same-reviewed-the-language/ |url-status=live }} In a more negative review Thomas Britt of PopMatters said, "“The Language” is a showcase for Drake's relentless flow, but he does himself no favors by failing to explore any interesting lyrical territory. He rhymes “platinum” with “platinum”. Such laziness might be acceptable were the song not about language."{{cite web |last=Britt |first=Thomas |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/175485-drake-nothing-was-the-same/ |title=Drake: Nothing Was the Same (Take 1) |date=25 September 2013 |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008045940/http://www.popmatters.com/review/175485-drake-nothing-was-the-same/ |url-status=live }}

Remixes

American rapper Young Thug remixed the song and changed the title to "The Blanguage".{{Cite web|url = http://www.stereogum.com/1679287/young-thug-metro-boomin-the-blanguage-video/video/|title = Young Thug & Metro Boomin – "The Blanguage" Video|date = May 2014|access-date = 2015-07-08|archive-date = 2015-07-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709000403/http://www.stereogum.com/1679287/young-thug-metro-boomin-the-blanguage-video/video/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/54510-young-thug-and-metro-boomin-team-up-as-metro-thuggin-share-the-blanguage-listen/ |title=Young Thug and Metro Boomin Team up as Metro Thuggin, Share "The Blanguage" | News | Pitchfork |website=Pitchfork |access-date=2015-07-08 |archive-date=2015-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709074614/http://pitchfork.com/news/54510-young-thug-and-metro-boomin-team-up-as-metro-thuggin-share-the-blanguage-listen/ |url-status=live }}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
scope="col"| Chart (2013–14)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|UK|143|artist=Drake|date=2013-10-06|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|40|date=2013-10-05|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|51|artist=Drake|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|13|artist=Drake|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|12|artist=Drake|rowheader=true|access-date=January 30, 2014}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"| Chart (2014)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809064333/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|url-status=live}}

|style="text-align:center"| 61

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Drake|title=The Language|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable"
Country

!Date

!Format

!Label

rowspan="2"| United States

| October 29, 2013{{cite web |url=http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=57&ArtistID=135&AlbumID=1111&SingleID=3779 |title=Single – The Language |work=Frequency News |access-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101040520/http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=57&ArtistID=135&AlbumID=1111&SingleID=3779 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

| Mainstream urban radio

| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Young Money|Cash Money Records|Republic Records}}

November 5, 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |title=Top 40/Rhythmic Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1407441342LDYFLFKBDG?url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |archive-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}

| Rhythmic contemporary radio

References