Jay-Z Gives Drake Rap Game Advice, "He Just Needs To Focus"

Jay-Z recently gave his opinion on rap newcomer Drake's music industry grind and offered a few suggestions on what the Young Money artist should do to not lose his buzz.

From Hov's perspective, Drizzy should maintain a steady following if he remains focused.

"He just needs to focus," Hov suggested in an interview. "I think he's proved that he's very talented with that [So Far Gone] mixtape which was phenomenal. He proved that he's very talented and he just has to maintain that focus because right now the odds are on him and not lose that. I think he's gonna be fine. If he stays focused, he'll be fine." (Laydee Soulja)

Drake's entrance into the rap game has caught rappers' attention and slight criticism from veterans like Cormega.

"I can't f*ck with Drake, I like Drake, I like Drake as a young man trying to make money but I can't take him serious," Mega explained in an interview. "Number one, he's rich. He's rich man. I don't like when these spoiled rich kids they just get into rap because it's something they can do but they pops got money and they put 'em in the game and then they start rapping about something, a life they could never live. Go do something else. I mean, sh*t, if I could switch with you, I would be the rich dude, the rich goody good my whole life. N*ggas like us rap about sh*t because we lived it. These n*ggas use rap as a hobby." ("Street Disciplez Radio")

Rap newcomer J. Cole, who is also featured on Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 album along with Drizzy, recently explained the difference between their current hip-hop spotlight.

"It's how things happened man," Cole said. "It was his destiny, it was supposed to happen like that for him. I can't get mad at that or fans shouldn't get mad at that, this was destined for him. Like , for whatever reason it was, this was supposed to happen this way for him, everything happens for a reason... My buzz isn't that big because it's not supposed to be that big. I'm not supposed to come in the game like that, it's not my path... And if you look at his style -- it's perfect for the mainstream because it's clever enough to still be considered lyrical and the flow is smooth enough to appeal to the masses. It's the perfect style for the main stream and can still be considered hip-hop... His stars are lined like 50 [Cent's] stars are lined like back in '03. It's just the perfect set-up." (Los Angeles Leakers)

50 Cent previously explained his theory about how Drake's single "Best I Ever Had," gained momentum at radio.

"I don't think you can accomplish that right now," Fif said in an interview. "Not without finance. I hear his record on the radio. He got a good buzz, I hear him. Sh*t, it wasn't possible for my music to be on the radio when I was coming. You know mine's was completely organic Like when you hear a song on the radio, it means it's being worked. Ain't nothing there 'just because.' Enough for it to be playing every hour on the hour. That song is being worked like he's on the label. I'm sure [Universal Motown President] Syliva Rhone or Universal, they're spending money to get the record played so the public is feeling like it's just happening. He might not be signed yet, but they might work it to get him to sign. Is it worth signing until you develop that?" (XXLMag)