Drake confirmed that his 2016 song Too Good was inspired by Serena Williams, ending years of speculation about a romance between the stars.
The 37-year-old Canadian rapper surprised his fans on Tuesday by releasing 100 gigabytes of never-before-seen footage from his personal archives.
The dump featured behind-the-scenes footage from recording sessions for some of his most famous songs. Among the clips was a revealing moment that revealed his Rihanna-assisted 2016 hit Too Good was about the tennis icon.
In the clip, Drake is in a recording studio working on “Too Good” when his mother Sandi Graham questions him about referencing his past relationships in songs.
“I get a little intense on a couple joints, but this is more about me and Serena,” Drake replies, to which Sandi chimes in, “I hear you!”
Drake confirmed that his 2016 song Too Good was inspired by Serena Williams, ending years of speculation about a romance between the stars; (seen in 2016)
The Canadian rapper surprised fans by releasing 100 gigabytes of never-before-seen footage from his personal archives on Tuesday, including one featuring the tennis icon; (seen in July)
The exchange led him to delve deeper into the songs inspired by his love life.
“When I make songs about women, I make songs for them, so I know what kind of song to make,” he said. “If I’m going to talk about them, at least I’m doing them justice by making a song they like, okay?”
He tried to reassure his mother, saying that the athlete’s feelings would be spared. ‘I know Serena very well and I know she will hear it loud and clear, but she will not hate me for it either, because it is lighthearted.’
Sandi hilariously interrupted her conversation to remind her son that “she’s seeing someone else,” likely referring to Serena’s current husband, Alexis Ohanian, whom she began dating in 2015.
Drake responds humorously, “I don’t know, Mom.”
Drake’s album Views was released in April 2016 and later that year he scored a hit with Rihanna with Too Good.
The song was released as a single from the album and reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September.
The lyrics of the song are: ‘I’m too good for you / I’m way too good for you / You take my love for granted / I just don’t understand.’
In the clip, Drake is in a recording studio working on Too Good, where ironically another ex, Rihanna, is singing, when his mother Sandi Graham questions him about referencing his past relationships in songs.
“I get a little intense on a couple joints, but this is more about me and Serena,” Drake replies, to which Sandi chimes in, “I hear you!”
He tried to reassure his mother that the athlete’s feelings would be spared, saying, “I know Serena very well and I know she’s going to hear it loud and clear, but she’s also not going to hate me for it because it’s lighthearted” (Sandi Graham, Drake and Dennis Geraham in 2021).
Drake and Serena were rumored to have been dating for several years, from around 2010 to 2015.
During that time, he was spotted at her tennis matches and in 2011 he even sent a flirty tweet: ‘@SerenaWilliams I can’t wait to put it on & make you sweat… at our match this weekend.’
Additionally, the five-time Grammy winner referenced her in his 2013 song Worst Behavior.
The singer has been spotted regularly at her tennis matches over the years. In August 2015, images surfaced online of the two kissing in a restaurant in Cincinnati.
The recently released BTS video reveals that their relationship was already deteriorating before the creation of Too Good, around the same time that Drake was rumored to be dating Rihanna.
The timeline was confirmed when Williams became engaged to Reddit founder Alexis in 2016.
After the birth of their first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., in September 2017, Serena and Alexis got married in November of that same year.
In August 2023, the couple celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.
Drake and Serena were rumored to have been in a romantic relationship for several years, from around 2010 to 2015; (Serena pictured with daughter Olympia and husband Alexis)
The recently released BTS video reveals that their relationship was already deteriorating before the creation of Too Good, around the same time Drake was rumored to be dating Rihanna; (2016)
These days, Drake and Serena Williams’ relationship is anything but friendly.
In 2022, Drake appeared to ridicule Alexis in his song Middle of the Ocean, calling the entrepreneur a “groupie.”
Last month, Serena joked about Drake during her presentation at the 2024 ESPYs, referencing his feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
“And if I’ve learned one thing this year, it’s that none of us — none of us, not even me — should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” Serena said onstage.He’s gonna make your hometown not like you. Next time Drake’s on the sidelines at a Raptors game, they’re gonna Forrest Gump him. Seats Taken.