Drake is a master of the flex. You know it, I know it, and the guy definitely knows it. But when "Still Here" dropped on the 2016 album Views, it wasn’t just another "I'm rich" anthem. Honestly, it was a stake in the ground. People often loop it in with his typical club bangers, but the still here drake lyrics actually tell a much grittier story about geographic loyalty and surviving the industry's revolving door.
He’s not just talking about being famous. He’s talking about staying power.
Why the Jane and Weston Reference Matters
If you aren't from Toronto, the line "How did I finesse all this shit from Jane and Weston?" might just sound like a random shoutout. It isn’t. Jane and Weston is an intersection in the northwest end of Toronto. It’s not exactly the glitzy "6ix" we see in his music videos today.
Basically, Drake is reminding everyone that he didn't start at the top. He’s acknowledging a "bottom" that was very real before the OVO private jet was even a thought. This lyric serves as a bridge between the Aubrey Graham who was a child actor on Degrassi and the Drake who now owns a mansion with an indoor basketball court.
- The Struggle: He mentions being "down to pennies" for pizza in other tracks, but here, the "finesse" is about the strategy it took to escape his circumstances.
- The Longevity: "Blew up and I'm in the city still" is his way of poking at rappers who leave their hometown the second they get a check.
Hallelujah and the Six-Point Star
One of the most debated parts of the still here drake lyrics involves the religious imagery. Drake raps, "Whole lot of 6s but I'm still like / Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah."
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On the surface? It’s a catchy hook.
But look deeper. The "6s" refers to Toronto, but it also toys with the "666" connotation. By dropping "Hallelujah" immediately after, he’s playing with the contrast between his "sinful" lifestyle and his gratitude for his success. He even doubles down with the line "Six-point star, Lion of the Judah," referencing both his Jewish heritage and Rasta influences that have colored his music for years.
It’s complex. It’s messy. It’s peak Drake.
The "Bread" vs. "Crumbs" Mentality
"Nothing mutual about my funds... All you niggas fightin' over crumbs, where the bread at?"
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This line is classic Drizzy arrogance, but it also highlights a specific era in hip-hop. In 2016, everyone was trying to catch up to the streaming numbers Drake was pulling. While other artists were happy with a hit single, he was building an empire.
When he asks "where the bread at," he isn't just asking about money. He's asking about equity. He's asking about who actually owns the masters and the brands. Most people hear a club track; industry insiders hear a warning.
Addressing the Paranoia
There’s a weird tension in the song. Even though he’s winning, he sounds slightly on edge. "I gotta talk to God even though he isn't near me / Based on what I got, it's hard to tell if he can hear me."
That’s a heavy sentiment for a song people play at the gym.
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It shows the isolation of extreme wealth. You’ve reached the summit, but now you’re wondering if you’re alone there. He’s "still here," but the "here" is a lonely place where everyone wants a piece of the pie.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of this track, don't just focus on the beat. Do these three things next time you listen:
- Contextualize the Tracklist: Listen to "Still Here" immediately after "Faithful" and before "Controlla." It acts as the aggressive pivot point in Views where the "winter" of the album starts turning into the "summer."
- Track the Toronto Slang: Notice how he uses "ting" and "waste movements" in surrounding tracks. It’s a masterclass in how he integrated Caribbean-Toronto culture into the global mainstream.
- Watch for the Flow Switch: Pay attention to how the cadence changes when he shifts from talking about his mother to talking about his enemies. It’s subtle, but it shows his technical skill as a rapper that often gets overshadowed by his pop sensibilities.
Drake didn't just survive the 2010s; he owned them. This song is the proof.