It’s no doubt that Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” track is credited with pushing him into mainstream success. Had it not been for LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul, the song would not have been released as his first single.
In a sit down interview with Rap Radar, Drake talked about how he initially wanted “Uptown” to be the first single off his So Far Gone mixtape. The track featured Bun B and Lil’ Wayne. He says that Rich convinced him otherwise.
“It was me telling [Rich Paul] that ‘Uptown’… I was like, ‘’Uptown’ is the one! This is what we should go with!’ and he was like, ‘Yo, nah. What are you talking about? This other one is the one!’”
Earlier this year, Drake celebrated the 10 year anniversary of So Far Gone being released. In an Instagram post, he thanked everyone who had something to do with the project. He made sure to thank LeBron for coming to the release party in 2009, which Rich also attended. “A decade ago you came to my release party at 6 Degrees and made me the biggest artist in the city off your presence alone,” Drake wrote.
In the interview, Drake also spoke out about getting booed at this year’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival. Fans at the festival quickly booed Drake when he was brought out as the special guest because they wanted to see Frank Ocean instead.
“I just walked myself into a situation, I kind of felt it backstage too,” he said. “I was a little confused. I was kind of sitting there, going like, ‘You guys know Frank’s not here, right? You may as well get over that… let’s rock, I’m the guy, I’m the replacement. I got a couple joints if you wanna hear them.’” He also joked that he should have just started singing Frank’s “Thinkin Bout You” record.
You can watch Drake’s full interview with Rap Radar Podcast below. The “Best I Ever Had” conversation begins around the 13-minute mark.