The internet has a way of turning whispers into roar. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media over the last few years, you've seen the memes, the frantic Twitter threads, and the "Not Like Us" lyrics. People keep asking: does Drake like young girls, and the answer is way more complicated than a simple yes or no. It’s a messy mix of public interactions, industry power dynamics, and a rap feud that turned a superstar’s personal life into a global talking point.
Honestly, it’s a lot to process.
Drake is the biggest rapper on the planet. He’s the guy who gave us "God's Plan" and "Hotline Bling," but he’s also the guy who has been photographed in situations that make people tilt their heads. We aren’t talking about illegal acts—nothing has ever been proven in a court of law—but rather a pattern of behavior that many find, well, "cringe" at best and predatory at worst.
The Millie Bobby Brown Situation
The most cited piece of evidence people bring up is his friendship with Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. It started back in 2017. She was 13. He was 31.
Millie told reporters at the Emmy Awards that they texted frequently. She even said he gave her boy advice. "I love him," she told Access Hollywood. "He’s a great friend and a great role model."
That sounds innocent enough, right? Maybe. But the internet didn't see it that way. People wondered why a 31-year-old man was texting a teenager about her dating life. When the backlash hit, Millie defended him on Instagram, basically telling everyone to stop making it weird. She pointed out that she’s lucky to have people in the industry give their time to help her career.
But the optics remained. In a post-Me Too world, the "mentor" excuse feels thin to a lot of people. It’s about the power imbalance. Drake is a billionaire-adjacent mogul. Millie was a kid. Even if the intentions were pure, the boundary felt blurred to the public.
Billie Eilish and the Birthday Texts
Then there’s Billie Eilish. In a 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, she mentioned that Drake is "the nicest dude ever" and that they text. At the time, she was 17.
Again, the internet exploded.
"Does Drake like young girls?" became the refrain of every comment section. Billie, much like Millie, defended him. she called the internet "sensitive" and argued that a grown man being a fan of her music wasn't a crime.
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It’s a pattern. Drake seems to gravitate toward the "it-girls" of the moment before they’ve even reached legal adulthood. Is it just savvy networking? Is he trying to stay relevant by befriending the next generation of superstars? Or is there something more calculated happening?
The Lyrics That Fueled the Fire
Rap is a contact sport. You can’t talk about Drake’s reputation without talking about Kendrick Lamar. The 2024 feud between the two wasn't just about who could rhyme better. It was an execution.
Kendrick’s "Not Like Us" changed the conversation forever.
When Kendrick rapped, "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young / You better not ever go to cell block one," he wasn't just making a joke. He was weaponizing years of internet rumors. He leaned into the "Certified Lover Boy" brand and flipped it on its head, suggesting the title had a much darker meaning.
Before Kendrick, these were just "weird" things Drake did. After Kendrick, they became a defining characteristic of his public persona. It’s the difference between being a "creeper" and being labeled a "predator" in the court of public opinion.
The "Grooming" Accusations and Public Perception
We have to talk about the word "grooming." It’s a heavy term. It implies a long-term process of preparing a minor for exploitation.
Has Drake groomed anyone? There is no legal evidence of this.
However, cultural critics like Touré and various YouTube essayists have pointed out that Drake’s "big brother" energy often feels performative. There’s a specific video from a 2010 concert in Denver that often resurfaces. In it, a 23-year-old Drake kisses a 17-year-old fan on stage. He asks her age, she says 17, and he says, "I can’t go to jail yet." He then kisses her neck and face.
By today's standards, that video is a PR nightmare. In 2010, it was barely a blip. The shift in how we view these interactions shows how much the culture has changed. What was once seen as "rockstar behavior" is now seen as a massive red flag.
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The Bella Hadid and Rihanna Context
Drake’s dating history is a billboard of famous women. Rihanna. Jennifer Lopez. Serena Williams. These are adult, powerful women.
His defenders use this as a shield. They argue that if he truly had a "preference" for minors, he wouldn't be pursuing some of the most successful grown women in the world.
But then there are the rumors about Bella Hadid. Or the "engagement rings" necklace—a piece of jewelry featuring 42 diamonds for the 42 times he thought about proposing. It paints a picture of a man who is obsessed with the idea of romance but perhaps lacks the maturity to sustain it with equals.
Why This Conversation Won't Die
The reason people keep asking does Drake like young girls isn't just because they hate Drake. It’s because he occupies a unique space in the culture.
He is the "nice guy." He’s the sensitive rapper who cries about his exes. When that persona clashes with videos of him being overly physical with teenagers or texting minors, it creates cognitive dissonance. People feel lied to.
There’s also the "Industry Plant" vs. "Cultural Vulture" debate. Some believe Drake befriends young stars to steal their "cool" and stay young himself. If you’re friends with the 18-year-old who has the #1 song, you’re still the "6 God." If you’re just a 38-year-old man in a mansion, you’re yesterday’s news.
What the Legal Reality Says
To be absolutely clear: Drake has never been charged with a crime related to these rumors.
There have been no lawsuits. No Jane Does have come forward with allegations of sexual assault or illegal conduct. In the eyes of the law, Drake is a man who has some unconventional friendships and a questionable stage history, but he is not a criminal.
This is where the nuance lies. You can be "creepy" without being a criminal. You can have poor boundaries without breaking the law. For many fans, the disappointment isn't that he’s a villain, but that he’s disappointing.
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The Impact on His Legacy
Can Drake recover? Probably. He’s too big to fail in the traditional sense. His streaming numbers remain astronomical.
But the "vibe" has shifted.
The 2024 battle with Kendrick Lamar felt like a turning point. It feels like the era of Drake being the untouchable, "cool" older brother is over. He’s now the guy who has to defend his character every time he drops an album. That’s a heavy price to pay for some "friendly" texts.
How to Navigate These Rumors
When looking at the question of does Drake like young girls, it's helpful to look at the facts versus the memes.
- Fact: He has had public friendships with famous minors (Millie Bobby Brown, Billie Eilish).
- Fact: These minors have defended him and denied any inappropriate behavior.
- Fact: There is video footage from earlier in his career (2010) that shows him being inappropriate with a 17-year-old fan.
- Fact: Kendrick Lamar used these rumors to win a rap feud, cementing them in pop culture history.
It’s okay to feel conflicted. You can like "Passionfruit" and still think the Millie Bobby Brown situation was weird. You can think Kendrick Lamar was being a hater and still acknowledge that Drake’s behavior with fans in the past was out of pocket.
The best way to stay informed is to look for primary sources. Watch the interviews. Read the direct quotes from the women involved. Avoid the TikTok "theory" videos that use spooky music to imply things that haven't happened.
In the end, Drake’s reputation is a mirror of our current culture. We are more aware of power dynamics than ever before. We don't give celebrities a pass just because they're talented. Whether he’s a "groomer" or just a guy with no sense of boundaries is a debate that will likely follow him for the rest of his career.
Actionable Insight: If you're following this story, pay attention to how the media frames "friendships" between adult mentors and child stars. Look for patterns of power rather than just "scandal." For those concerned about celebrity influence, supporting artists who maintain clear professional boundaries is the most direct way to signal what you value in the industry. Check out organizations like A Call to Men or The Geena Davis Institute to learn more about how gender and age dynamics are portrayed and managed in entertainment.