Drake has confirmed that his 2016 song Too Good was inspired by Serena Williams, ending years of speculation about the stars’ romance.
The 37-year-old Canadian rapper shocked fans on Tuesday by posting 100 gigabytes of never-before-seen footage from his personal archives.
The footage included behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for some of his most famous tracks. Among the clips was a revealing moment that showed that his 2016 hit, Too Good, featuring Rihanna, was written about the tennis icon.
In the clip, Drake is in a recording studio working on Too Good when his mother Sandi Graham asks him about referencing his past relationships in songs.
“I get heavy with a couple of joints, but this is more about me and Serena,” Drake replies, to which Sandi chimes in: “I already got that!”
Drake confirmed that his 2016 song Too Good was inspired by Serena Williams, ending years of romantic speculation between the stars; (seen in 2016)
The Canadian rapper surprised fans by posting 100 gigabytes of previously unseen footage from his personal archives on Tuesday, including one about the tennis icon (seen in July).
The exchange prompted him to talk about songs inspired by his love life.
“When I make songs about women, I also make songs for them, so I know what kind of song to make,” he said. “If I’m going to talk about them, I’ll at least do them justice and make a song that they like, okay?”
She tried to reassure her mother that the athlete’s feelings would not be hurt, saying: “I know Serena very well and I know she will hear it loud and clear, but she will not hate me for it either because it is a joyful thing.”
Sandi hilariously interrupted to remind her son that “she’s seeing someone else,” likely referring to Serena’s current husband, Alexis Ohanian, whom she began dating in 2015.
Drake replies amusedly: “I don’t know, Mom.”
Drake’s album Views was released in April 2016, and later that year, he and Rihanna scored a hit with Too Good.
Released as a single from the album, the song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September.
The song goes, ‘I’m too good to you / I’m too good to you / You take my love for granted / I just don’t get it.’
In the clip, Drake is in a recording studio working on Too Good, which ironically features another ex, Rihanna, on vocals, when his mother Sandi Graham asks him about referencing his past relationships in songs.
“I get heavy with a couple of joints, but this is more about me and Serena,” Drake replies, to which Sandi chimes in: “I already got that!”
She tried to reassure her mother that the athlete’s feelings would not be touched, saying, “I know Serena very well and I know she will hear it loud and clear, but she will also not hate me for it because she is joyful.” (Sandi Graham, Drake and Dennis Geraham in 2021)
Drake and Serena were rumored to be romantically involved for several years, roughly from 2010 to 2015.
During that time, he was spotted at her tennis matches and even sent her a flirty tweet in 2011: ‘@SerenaWilliams Can’t wait to put this on you and make you sweat… during our match this weekend.’
Additionally, the five-time Grammy winner referenced her in his 2013 song Worst Behavior.
The singer was frequently spotted at his tennis matches over the years, and images of them kissing at a Cincinnati restaurant surfaced online in August 2015.
BTS’ newly released video reveals that their relationship had been deteriorating prior to the creation of Too Good, around the same time Drake was rumored to be involved with Rihanna.
The timeline was confirmed when Williams became engaged to Reddit founder Alexis in 2016.
Following the birth of their first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., in September 2017, Serena and Alexis tied the knot in November of the same year.
In August 2023, the couple celebrated the arrival of their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.
Drake and Serena were rumored to be romantically involved for several years, roughly from 2010 to 2015; (Serena pictured with her daughter Olympia and husband Alexis)
BTS’ newly released video reveals that their relationship had deteriorated prior to the creation of Too Good, around the same time Drake was rumored to be involved with Rihanna; (2016)
Today, the relationship between Drake and Serena Williams is anything but friendly.
In 2022, Drake appeared to mock Alexis in his song Middle of the Ocean, calling the businessman a “groupie.”
Last month, Serena made a dig at Drake while hosting the 2024 ESPYs, referring to his feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
“And if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should be fighting with Kendrick Lamar,” Serena said onstage.It’ll make your hometown not like you. Next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, he’s going to be Forrest Gump-ed. Seats taken.