BlocBoy JB says Drake gifted him “Look Alive” in viral X clarification [PHOTO]

BlocBoy JB Confirms Drake Gifted Him ‘Look Alive’—Fans Praise Loyalty and Reignite 2018 Nostalgia

This afternoon, BlocBoy JB set the record straight on one of the biggest hip-hop hits of the past decade. His breakout hit, “Look Alive,” was originally a Drake song. In a viral X post, BlocBoy clarified, “For The Record Look Alive Was Drake Song From Da Jump He Was Just A RN And Gave Me Dat 💪📅.” The post quickly amassed over 25,000 likes and nearly 2 million views in just a few hours. Therefore, sparking widespread discussion about Drake’s generosity, industry loyalty, and the enduring legacy of his 2018 feature run.

BlocBoy JB, born James Lee Baker, was a relatively unknown Memphis rapper when “Look Alive” dropped on February 9, 2018. Produced by Tay Keith, the track exploded upon release, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning 5x Platinum status. It became a cultural phenomenon largely attributed to Drake’s standout verse and the viral dance challenge that followed. However, until now, the full origin of the track hadn’t been publicly confirmed.

The Origin Story: Drake’s Gift

The post was a direct response to @_diana_salam, who had shared a TikTok-style montage of Drake’s legendary 2018 features with the caption, “how features from a real 🐐 sound.” Her post listed “Look Alive” among tracks like “Going Bad” with Meek Mill—songs widely regarded as Drake’s, despite his being the featured artist. BlocBoy JB’s quote tweet corrected the narrative: it wasn’t a case of Drake jumping on a hot track; rather, he handed BlocBoy a fully formed hit and allowed him to take the lead credit.

This isn’t a new sentiment among those familiar with Drake’s history. DJ Vlad previously noted in a June 2024 post, “Drake hopped on these features for free. BlocBoy JB and Bleu literally told me this in our interviews.” Other posts have since corroborated this, stating Drake often gifted full tracks to emerging artists to elevate their careers—a move fans now view with deeper respect, especially amid the backlash Drake has faced in recent years.

BlocBoy’s Longstanding Respect for Drake

BlocBoy’s appreciation for Drake dates back years before “Look Alive.” As early as 2012, he tweeted things like:

• “Drake Make Classics #FrFr”
• “Take A Shot 4 Me #Drake”
• “Drake Be Goin Ham”

These posts, made long before BlocBoy had any major industry clout, emphasize that his praise for Drake wasn’t opportunistic. It was genuine admiration from a fan-turned-collaborator, now coming full circle with this public clarification.

Public Reaction: Loyalty vs. Opportunism

Fans flooded the comments praising BlocBoy JB for standing firm with Drake. Many contrasted his loyalty with artists who they believe benefited from Drake’s influence only to later distance themselves or outright turn on him, especially after the high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar in 2024.

Sample fan reactions:

• “Yall ran the country in 2018 man I miss those days 🥲” (1.5k likes)
• “BlocBoy, you solid unlike them other fugazi ahh who switched on The Boy last year” (1.2k likes)
• “Giving away no guidance going bad and look alive is insane”

While a minority of replies questioned the narrative (“Are you for real???”), the consensus favored BlocBoy’s version of events, further substantiating earlier reports and interviews.

Streaming Milestones & Cultural Impact

“Look Alive” recently surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, a milestone that reignited conversations around its impact. On Apple Music, it ranked No. 319 on the most-streamed songs list as of July 2, 2025. Anniversary posts in February celebrated its 7-year legacy, many emphasizing that it remains BlocBoy JB’s signature song.

Additionally, that period of time has been one people fondly look back on. While Blocboy JB didn’t go on to have much more commercial success, he’s remained a viral force. Meanwhile, Drake had a run on Billboard Hot 100 that few have seen since then.

How Drake helped BlocBoy JB is how he’s traditionally helped rising artists he resonates with, however.

Drake’s Pattern of Elevating Artists

This revelation fits into a broader pattern of Drake using his platform to boost others. From Migos’ “Versace” to Fetty Wap’s “My Way,” to BlocBoy JB’s “Look Alive,” and Meek Mill’s “Going Bad,” Drake’s features often act as launchpads. As @_diana_salam implied in her original post, these aren’t mere features—they’re career-defining moments.

And in most cases, he doesn’t ask for credit or control. That generosity is now coming into sharper focus.

Legacy Conversation: A New Narrative

With this clarification, “Look Alive” becomes not just a hit song, but a testament to Drake’s behind-the-scenes influence. BlocBoy JB’s honesty also positions him as a rare artist in an industry where alliances shift with streaming numbers.

This stands in contrast to the recent trend of some artists flipping on Drake following his feud with Kendrick Lamar. BlocBoy’s post adds a human layer to an industry often criticized for transactional relationships.

Through the years, many artists have benefitted from what was once called the “Drake stimulus.” Some of these artists are some fans may have forgotten who got that initial co-sign. Meanwhile, some of those artists may have also moved like they forgot.

However, BlocBoy JB has chosen to stand out among the rest. When things like beef arise, many artists will claim to be “neutral,” as to avoid saying one thing or the other. But BlocBoy JB is publicly giving Drake props for giving him a boost in his career.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment Revisited

BlocBoy JB’s viral clarification reshapes how fans and critics will remember “Look Alive.” No longer just a breakout hit, it is now understood as a gift—a calculated and selfless move by one of the biggest names in hip-hop to lift up an emerging artist.

In an era defined by clout-chasing and shifting loyalties, this moment stands out as one of genuine respect and solidarity. As BlocBoy put it, Drake was “just a RN” and gave him a certified classic. That honesty, paired with the song’s enduring success, ensures that both artists’ legacies remain intertwined—and appreciated.

Stay tuned, because 2018 nostalgia isn’t going anywhere. And thanks to this reminder, neither is BlocBoy JB’s loyalty.