Laugh Now Cry Later

Album

Single

Label

OVO Sound

Genre

Trap

Composer(s)

Aubrey Graham;Durk Banks;Ronald LaTour, Jr.;Rogét Chahayed;Ryan Martinez;Daveon Jackson;Bryan Yepes

Entered Chart

Aug 29, 2020

Peak Date

Aug 29, 2020

Released

August 14, 2020

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

OVO Sound

Here, Drake reflects on the oblique nature of success. The song is a collection of thoughts about the Toronto superstar enjoying the high life; if there are bad times around the corner he will deal with them later. The title is a nod to 2Pac, who had the phrase tattooed on his back. Drake may also be referencing the name of Ice Cube's 2006 album Laugh Now, Cry Later. Among the subliminals that Drake spits are various shots at an unnamed rival. Distance between us is not like a store, this isn't a closable gap The rhymes could be a reference to Kanye West and/or Pusha T. The Toronto MC has had an ongoing beef with both artists. Lil Durk spits a guest verse about coming up in the trenches. The Chicago rapper frequently mentions weapons in his music, and here he pronounces the Romanian Draco AK-47 Pistol "Dracs" so it sounds like "Drakes." Cardo and Yung Exclusive supplied the beat (with G.Ry and Rogét Chahayed also along for the ride). Cardo and Yung Exclusive frequently work together; their previous production credits for Drake include his #1 single "God's Plan." Dave Meyers ("Sicko Mode") directed the accompanying video, which he shot at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. It finds Drake showing off his athletic skills as we see him playing basketball and football, as well as swimming and jet skiing. Sports stars Kevin Durant, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marshawn Lynch make guest appearances alongside stacks of Nike product placement. This became Drake's 21st song to top the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, breaking the record for most #1s on that tally. The Toronto MC surpassed Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, with whom he'd both previously shared the accolade of 20 leaders.

Whoa, whoa
Yeah

Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now, baby
I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby
We took a trip, now we on your block and it's like a ghost town, baby
Where do these niggas be at when they say they're doin' all this and all that?

Tired of beefin' you bums, you can't even pay me enough to react
Been wakin' up in the crib and sometimes I don't even know where I'm at
Please don't play that nigga songs in this party, I can't even listen to that
Anytime that I ran into somebody, it must be a victory lap, ay
Shorty, come sit on my lap, ay, they're sayin' Drizzy just snap
Distance between us is not like a store, this isn't a closeable gap, ay
I've seen some niggas attack and don't end up makin' it back

I know that they're at the crib goin' crazy, down bad
What they had didn't last, damn, baby

Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now, baby
I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby
We took a trip, now we on your block and it's like a ghost town, baby
Where do these niggas be at when they say they're doin' all this and all that?

I'm in the trenches, relax
Can you not play that little boy in the club? 'Cause we do not listen to rats
We in Atlanta, I buy her a wig, she tellin' me Tae is the best
Point at the nigga who act like a killer, but you only one from the 'net
I'm like DaBaby, I'm not just a rapper, you play with me, you gon' get stretched
Ooh-oh
Bring Drake to the hood, surround Drake around Dracs
Even though I got a case, I'ma do what it take
And I never been embraced
And the money's hard to make
So I bet they're on their face right now

I know that they're at the crib goin' crazy, down bad
What they had didn't last, damn, baby

Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now, baby
I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby
We took a trip, now we on your block and it's like a ghost town, baby
Where do these niggas be at when they say they're doin' all this and all that?

When he tell the story, that's not how it went
Know they be lyin', a hundred percent
Moved out the Ritz and forgot 'bout the Bent'
Valet just called me to tell me come get it
Knocked that boy off and I don't want no credit
If it was me, they wouldn't regret it
Left me for dead and now they wan' dead it, yeah
Heart is still beatin', my niggas still eatin'
Backyard, it look like the Garden of Eden
Pillow talk with 'em, she spillin' the tea
And then shorty came back and said she didn't mean it
It's hard to believe it

I know that they're at the crib goin' crazy, down bad
What they had didn't last, damn, baby

Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now, baby
I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby
We took a trip, now we on your block and it's like a ghost town, baby
Where do these niggas be at when they say they're doin' all this and all that?