The highlight of Drake’s UK tour in 2019 was unarguably when J Hus – released from prison that week – appeared alongside him onstage. It was the latest in a long line of links with the UK and Drake’s success smashed perceptions of who could be the world’s biggest rapper.

When singer Kyla got a call in 2016 saying a huge international artist wanted to use her tune Do You Mind, she thought it was an April Fools joke.

Ashley reflects on the conversation with Drake that kickstarted Top Boy going to Netflix and reveals the impact the show had for British rappers stateside.

In this episode we hear from Drake, Kyla, 1Xtra’s Tiffany Calver, Mimi The Music Blogger, hip hop journalist Elliott Wilson and rapper and singer Estelle

Archive in this episode:
J Hus onstage with Drake, O2 Arena London 2019
Drake on BBC Radio 1Xtra, 2017
Drake on BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra, 2019

Presenter: Ashley Walters
Producer: Emily Dicks
Written by Emily Dicks
Technical production: Ant Danbury
Additional production: Dari Samuels, Tommy Dixon and Zayna Shaikh
Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell
Commissioning producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan
Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin
A BBC Audio production Show less