Drake and JAY-Z have a lot in common. Both are among the greatest rappers of all time. Both have parlayed their success into other ventures. And both have maintained their relevance over decades. It’s no wonder the two consider each other soulmates. Drake and JAY-Z have collaborated five times since 2009 (six times if you count “Off That”). “Talk Up” has become a fan favorite over the years, and a recent anecdote from JAY’s engineer Young Guru has earned fans even more respect for the 2018 release.
Drake initiated the whole thing. The rapper released 100GB of unreleased material on August 6, including footage of him and JAY-Z writing “Talk Up.” Young Guru saw the footage and decided to shed light on the unique circumstances under which the song came about. He detailed the experience on his IG story and revealed that JAY-Z recorded it right after a concert. “Hov got to do a verse (for Drake),” he recalled. “We’re on On the run 2. Remember, I’m the DJ. Hov hit me up and just said, ‘Set up a studio in the venue.’ I was like, ‘What?’ But of course I got it done… He literally wrote that verse after a full two-hour show.”
The young guru shared the JAY-Z story on Instagram
Guru’s account matches the footage released by Drake. The Toronto rapper is asked if he plans to rest, but he insists he’s staying up until JAY-Z sends his verse. “I don’t want him to hit me and say, ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’ and I’m not there to respond,” he said. JAY-Z and Guru were pressed for time, but they managed to finish the verse in time. The latter recalls the lofi tech they had access to on such short notice. “I had to connect my phone to my computer to send the session to @ovo40,” he explained. “I made it to the club just in time for my set.”
Young Guru and JAY-Z were thrilled with the result. However, Guru noted in his IG story that the best musical moments often come from stressful situations. “When y’all listen to this piece, sometimes I wonder if you understand how much work goes into it,” he wrote. “Classic nights!!!! And I rocked my set lol.” “Talk Up” doesn’t get mentioned as often as other Drake and JAY-Z collaborations like “Light Up” or “Pound Cake,” but the story behind it gives it extra oomph. Think about its creation next time you listen to it.
About the author
Elias is a music writer at HotNewHipHop. He joined the site in 2024 and covers a wide range of topics including pop culture, film, sports, and of course hip hop. He posts work for HNHH Monday through Friday, especially when it comes to covering new albums and singles. His favorite artists are Andre 3000, MF Doom, Kanye West pre-808, and Tyler, The Creator. He loves LA hip hop, but not LA sports teams. The first album he ever bought was Big Willie Style by Will Smith, which he says is still a pretty good listen.
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