The ’90s Metal + Rap Rock Bands Drake Grew Up Listening To

Drake, the renowned rapper, has recently revealed some surprising influences from his formative years, indicating that bands like Pantera and Insane Clown Posse were among his early musical inspirations.

This revelation surfaced during a conversation on the No Jumper podcast, where host Adam 22 discussed Drake’s affinity for these unconventional bands with Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.

Adam 22 recalled a moment when Drake was spotted wearing an Insane Clown Posse jersey, prompting speculation about his connection to the group’s music. Seeking clarity, Adam reached out to Drake, who confirmed his fondness for the bands from his youth.

According to Drake, he was introduced to the music of ICP and Pantera through a friend of his mother. “My mom’s friend’s son was a huge ICP and Pantera fan, so I used to listen to their shit at his crib,” Drake shared, reminiscing about his early exposure to their music.

He expressed admiration for ICP’s creativity and branding, acknowledging the impact they had on him. “But I always respected the merch and graphics and branding. It’s like they took that shit to another level. Whoever was cooking that shit up is insanely talented,” Drake remarked.

In response to Drake’s revelation, Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J expressed their surprise and appreciation. “That’s dope and it’s flattering, but I wouldn’t have believed that back in the day,” said Shaggy 2 Dope, reflecting on Drake’s unexpected fandom.

Watch the exchange on the No Jumper podcast:

This isn’t the first time Drake has shown love for metal music. In June 2023, he shared a vocal recording video by Entheos vocalist Chaney Crabb on Instagram, further demonstrating his eclectic musical tastes.

“Chaney Crabb my twin flame,” Drake captioned the post, highlighting his connection to Crabb’s passionate vocals. Crabb herself expressed gratitude for Drake’s support, acknowledging his role in introducing metal to new audiences.

Drake’s openness about his diverse musical influences serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend genres and bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds.