Drake Says Kanye West Is 'The Most Influential Person' On His Sound

Drake
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — With its mix of singing and rapping, Drake's buzz-building mixtape So Far Gone has drawn comparisons to Kanye West's latest effort 808s & Heartbreak. For his part, Drake said the Chicago lyricist had a huge impact on his music and even described 'Ye as "the most influential person" in shaping the young rapper's sound.

"Before I ever got the chance to meet him, Kanye West shaped a lot of what I do, as far as music goes," Drake told MTV News on Tuesday night before his show at S.O.B.'s. "We always, always, always took the time to listen to Kanye's music and appreciate it beyond. We searched the samples and we find out where his inspiration came from, because he has one of the best ears in music, period. He knows how to recognize great music that's not his. He knows how to utilize great sounds and great music. So before I met him, I had the utmost respect for Kanye West. I'd even go as far as to say he's the most influential person as far as a musician that I'd ever had in my life."

Drake said he and 'Ye initially met in Hawaii, where West has been working on music recently. The interaction was brief at first, but now the two are expected to collaborate on Drake's upcoming debut album. 'Ye attended Drake's New York show this week, and one of West's managers, Gee Roberson, acts as a co-manger for Drake.

Over the weekend, West returned the accolades in a post on his blog, saying that one of Drizzy's lines on Young Money's "Every Girl" is the rhyme of the year.

"Drake said, 'Do you like girls like I do?? Les-bi-honest!!!!!' Best line of the year so far!" West wrote in all caps.

As an upstart, Drake said the comment was hilarious and flattering.

"I feel like it's funny, because that's something he might have said," Drake said about the line. "[But] it's an honor that he's even looking at me as somewhat of an equal, somewhat of a peer. I think he's one of the greatest to ever do it."