Nana Wu
In a candid revelation on former NFL star Cam Newton’s YouTube show Funky Fridays, Miami rapper Yung Miami, born Caresha Brownlee, shared a humorous yet telling anecdote about her attempt to secure a collaboration with Canadian superstar Drake in 2024. The timing, she explained, coincided with Drake’s highly publicized and intense lyrical sparring match with fellow hip-hop titans Kendrick Lamar and Metro Boomin, rendering him largely inaccessible for new projects. Despite the unfulfilled feature, Yung Miami expressed profound appreciation for Drake, particularly acknowledging his instrumental role in catapulting her former group, City Girls, into mainstream prominence with their vocal contributions to his 2018 global smash hit, "In My Feelings." Her comments underscore the complex dynamics of collaboration within the music industry, especially when artists are embroiled in high-stakes professional conflicts, while simultaneously highlighting the enduring power of a well-placed feature to redefine careers.
The High Stakes of a Hip-Hop Feud: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar
The year 2024 witnessed one of hip-hop’s most vitriolic and captivating feuds in recent memory, primarily between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, with significant involvement from producer Metro Boomin. This period, characterized by a rapid exchange of deeply personal and often scathing diss tracks, effectively brought the music industry to a standstill as fans and critics alike meticulously dissected each lyrical salvo. The conflict escalated dramatically in late March and early April 2024, following Lamar’s pointed verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s track "Like That," which directly challenged Drake’s perceived dominance in the rap landscape.
What began as simmering tensions quickly erupted into a full-blown lyrical war. Drake responded with tracks like "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle," which, though quickly taken down due to unauthorized AI use of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg’s voices, demonstrated his readiness to engage. Lamar countered with "Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA," escalating the personal attacks. The feud reached its zenith with Drake’s "Family Matters" and Lamar’s "Meet the Grahams" and "Not Like Us," released within hours of each other, each track laden with serious allegations ranging from infidelity and domestic abuse to sexual assault and hidden children. The sheer volume and intensity of these releases, coupled with the deeply personal nature of the accusations, created an unprecedented media storm. For an artist of Drake’s stature, navigating such a public and emotionally charged conflict demanded absolute focus and a strategic withdrawal from extraneous professional commitments. This environment, as Yung Miami discovered, was hardly conducive to initiating new collaborations, regardless of mutual respect or past successes.
A Missed Opportunity: "Take Me to Chanel"
During her conversation with Cam Newton, Yung Miami recounted her attempt to enlist Drake for her track, "Take Me to Chanel." "I got a song called ‘Take Me to Chanel’ and I was trying to get him on the song," she recalled. "I remember DM’ing him, but that was at the time when he was going through all his sh—. And when people going through they sh—, like, I get it, I understand." Her direct message to the Toronto rapper, proposing, "Drake, I think you’ll sound good on ‘Take Me to Chanel,’" was met with a simple "like" on the message, rather than a commitment to a feature.
Yung Miami, known for her charismatic and outspoken personality, playfully chided Drake for this non-committal response: "He just liked the message like come on, now, don’t do that! Drake, don’t do that now ‘cause when you called me I was there!" This lighthearted jab, however, was immediately followed by an affirmation of her respect and understanding for his situation: "But, nah, I f— with Drake, I understand." The exchange highlights the often-informal nature of initial collaboration inquiries in the digital age, yet also underscores the professional courtesy and empathy that can exist between artists, even when opportunities don’t materialize. For an emerging solo artist like Yung Miami, a feature from Drake—a perennial chart-topper and one of the most commercially successful artists of his generation—would have undoubtedly provided a significant boost, amplifying her track’s reach and solidifying her presence in the competitive rap landscape. The timing, however, proved to be an insurmountable obstacle against the backdrop of an industry-shaking beef.
From DMs to Dominance: The City Girls’ "In My Feelings" Moment
While her recent attempt at collaboration with Drake did not bear fruit, Yung Miami was quick to emphasize the profound impact he previously had on her career and that of City Girls. She and her former bandmate, JT, lent their distinctive voices to Drake’s 2018 smash hit, "In My Feelings," a track that would become a cultural phenomenon. Released as part of Drake’s fifth studio album, Scorpion, "In My Feelings" quickly ascended the charts, securing a remarkable 10-week reign at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This lengthy tenure cemented its status as one of the biggest songs of the year and a defining track in Drake’s illustrious discography.
The song’s success was amplified by the viral "Keke Challenge," a social media trend that saw participants dancing alongside moving cars, propelling "In My Feelings" beyond musical acclaim into widespread cultural ubiquity. For City Girls, whose career was then in its nascent stages, the feature was nothing short of a game-changer. "That was the breakthrough for the City Girls," Yung Miami affirmed. "I would never forget that phone call that we got like, ‘Drake wants y’all on his album.’ And it was like April Fool’s Day. This gotta be a joke and it was like, ‘Nah, y’all gotta come to the studio, we gotta play the record.’ And we press play and it’s like Drake saying our names."
This pivotal moment provided City Girls with unparalleled exposure, introducing their unique sound and vibrant personalities to a global audience. Prior to "In My Feelings," the duo, signed to Quality Control Music, had been building a buzz primarily within the Southern hip-hop scene. The Drake feature served as a catapult, accelerating their trajectory from regional favorites to national sensations. It opened doors to major tours, further collaborations, and a dedicated fanbase, establishing City Girls as a significant force in contemporary rap. The financial and reputational dividends from being associated with such a monumental hit are immeasurable, illustrating the immense power of a high-profile artist feature in the digital age.
Yung Miami’s Enduring Respect for Drake’s Artistry
Despite the humorous rejection of her collaboration request, Yung Miami holds Drake’s musical genius in exceptionally high regard. She articulated her admiration for his unique artistry, emphasizing his singular ability to connect with listeners. "I’m excited. I love Drake," she began, before elaborating on the reasons for her profound respect. "He’s so special that it’s like his music is like, ‘You gotta know to know.’ He’ll say some sh— and it’s like what made him… he’s clever. And I just love how he does his interludes. He’ll go and get a soundbite and blow it up, and he’s gonna show you love. It just be little things like that. And he just always got one. You can play Drake at a graduation, any function and you’re gonna feel good."
This detailed praise highlights several facets of Drake’s enduring appeal: his lyrical cleverness, his distinctive use of interludes and soundbites to create immersive storytelling, and his consistent ability to produce universally appealing, feel-good anthems. These qualities have allowed Drake to maintain a dominant presence in music for over a decade, crossing genres and demographic boundaries. Her comments also reflect the anticipation surrounding his rumored upcoming project, "ICEMAN," and his eagerly awaited return to the forefront of rap following the intense lyrical battles of 2024. For artists like Yung Miami, who have directly benefited from his platform, Drake represents not just a hitmaker, but a master craftsman whose influence shapes the very soundscape of modern popular music.
The Broader Landscape of Hip-Hop Collaboration and Influence
Yung Miami’s narrative offers a microcosmic view into the broader dynamics of collaboration and influence within the hip-hop industry. The power differential between established megastars like Drake and rising artists, while often significant, is frequently navigated by a mutual respect for talent and a shared understanding of the industry’s often-unpredictable currents. The episode illustrates that even with a history of successful collaboration and personal connection, securing a feature from a top-tier artist is rarely guaranteed, especially when external factors like high-profile feuds take precedence.
The use of platforms like Cam Newton’s Funky Fridays for such candid revelations also speaks to the evolving nature of artist-fan interaction and media engagement. These less formal settings allow artists to share personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights that might not surface in traditional press interviews, fostering a sense of authenticity and connection with their audience. The digital age has democratized communication, making direct messages (DMs) a legitimate channel for professional inquiries, albeit one subject to the whims and pressures faced by busy public figures.
Ultimately, the story of Yung Miami and Drake is a testament to the symbiotic relationships that define the music industry. While a recent collaboration may not have materialized, the foundation of respect and the undeniable impact of past successes, such as "In My Feelings," underscore the intricate web of connections that shape careers and propel artists to global recognition. As the hip-hop landscape continues to evolve, the demand for authentic collaboration and the pursuit of career-defining moments remain central to every artist’s journey.
(Image: Yung Miami at the BET Awards 2025 held at the Peacock Theater on June 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Gilbert Flores/Variety)
