Drake Releases Surprise New Songs 'When to Say When' and 'Chicago Freestyle'
Drake has surprised fans by releasing two new songs overnight—When To Say When and Chicago Freestyle.
The Canadian rapper joked in an Instagram post that his new music had leaked as he directed fans to listen to the songs on his record label's Soundcloud account and watch the video on YouTube.
The music video for When To Say When, directed by Theo Skudra, shows the rapper filming on the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. For Chicago Freestyle, he's seen in a dark recording studio.
The release led to "When To Say When" and "Chicago Freestyle" trending on Twitter as fans took to social media to share their views on the new tracks.
But it was When To Say When and Drake's mention of Michael Jackson and the allegations of child molestation against the late singer that appeared to spark more commentary on social media.
In the track, Drake raps about his accomplishments in music before retreating to his hometown of Toronto, Canada.
"Ayy, thirty-three years, I gave that to the game, Thirty-three mill', I save that for the ring," he raps, according to Genius. "Five hundred weeks, I fill the charts with my pain, Five hundred mil and I fall back in the 6ix."
He then makes a mention of Michael Jackson and alludes to the allegations of child molestation against the late singer as well as an apparent nod to his Neverland ranch.
"Michael Jackson 'ship, but the palace is not for kids," he raps on the track.
"Drake damn near made me spit out my tea with that Michael Jackson line," one fan wrote on Twitter.
But other fans weren't pleased with the lyric, with one commenting, "This is BOTTOM tier Drake. Why did he say Michael Jackson and kids in the same sentence. This song sucks. Make Drake Take Care Again."
Others questioned if it was a response to the criticism aimed at Drake, 33, over his friendships with 16-year-old actress Millie Bobby Brown and 18-year-old singer Billie Eilish.
"Is Drake really going to bring up Michael Jackson in this song after the shit with MBB and Billie? Is that intentional or?" one asked.
Stranger Things star Brown has previously defended her friendship with Drake, writing on Instagram: "Why u gotta make a lovey friendship ur headline? U guys are weird... for real."
Last month, Eilish also defended texting with Drake. "The internet is such a stupid-a** mess right now," she told Vogue. "Everybody's so sensitive. A grown man can't be a fan of an artist?"
