Hip Hop Vibe’s Artist of the Year 2014: Drake

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Dec 30, 2014

Drake 50By K.B. Tindal
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Consistency is key in anything a person wants to do and do well, but a person knows how great they are when they can miss a little time and still be on top. This pretty much sums up Drake’s efforts in 2014. He did not drop an album this year, but he dominated all over.

Drake started the year off strong, riding the success of Nothing Was The Same. The singles, “The Language” and “Trophies,” kept Drake hot during the first part of the year. Later, Drake delivered “0 To 100 / The Catch Up” as his first single of 2014, announcing his next album, Views From The 6.

This year, Lil Wayne intended to rap his career up and he immediately tapped Drake for his hit single, “Believe Me,” which was a strong comeback track. Meanwhile, Drake dealt with both this and challenges from Murda Mook to battle. Even with no releases, Drake managed to dominate the year from start to finish.

This wasn’t a clear decision, as we came close to choosing Rick Ross and Drake’s Young Money label-mate, Nicki Minaj for 2014’s Hip Hop Vibe’s Artist of the Year. Now, Drake has become the first artist in Hip Hop Vibe’s history to take Artist of the Year in consecutive years, also taking 2013, and this is his third time, overall, first taking 2011. Drake is now the all-time leader in Artist of the Year.

Following last year’s trend, Drake openly and boldly owned the year, going as far as ending his longstaning beef with his rival, Chris Brown, before it got re-started. Beef was something Drake previously shyed away from, but he also ended up going at his Young Money label-mate, Tyga. But, Drake was there for his team, teaming up with Nicki Minaj for “Only,” officially ending his beef with Chris Brown.

While Drake has always had love for both Houston and Miami, spending a lot of his time with the LeBron James-led Heat, he re-embraced Toronto. Previously, Drake took a job with the Toronto Raptors, who are now contending for the best record in the NBA and Drizzy is front and center. With his team winning, Drake did purchase a property in Cleveland to continue his support of LeBron, however.

Reflect on Drake in 2014:

“Worst Behavior”

Nicki Minaj ft. Chris Brown, Drake, and Lil Wayne – “Only”

Follow K.B. Tindal on Twitter @KBTindal.