Drake had a pretty big Tuesday. First, he found out he was named Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, thanks to his 2010s charts dominance, and then he had dinner with a very special guest: Ronald Isley.
Billboard announced Tuesday that the chart-topping rapper will receive the Artist of the Decade Award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 23, and his surreal day had an equally impressive ending when the Toronto superstar dined with his “idol” and a founding member of The Isley Brothers.
“Today was one of those days it doesn’t feel real,” he wrote on his Instagram Story (see below). “Waking up to artist of the decade then having dinner with my idol @ronaldisley and listening to the stories behind every song that shaped my love for emotional music and created my formula for a lot of my writing… high on life right now my g’z.”
Isley’s influence is present in Drizzy’s discography. Drake and Lil Wayne rapped over Jay-Z’s “Ignorant Sh–” on their collaboration “Ignant Sh–” from Drake’s 2009 debut EP So Far Gone, for which producer Just Blaze sampled The Isley’s Brothers’ 1983 track “Between the Sheets.” Drake also sampled Aaliyah’s famous 1994 Isley Brothers cover “(At Your Best) You Are Love” in his and Jeezy’s “Unforgettable” featured on Drake’s 2010 debut album Thank Me Later.
At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, Drake — who holds the title for most BBMAs with 27 after taking home 12 prizes in 2019 — will receive the Artist of the Decade Award. Drake is a finalist in seven categories at this year’s show, including top artist. The Nick Jonas-hosted event will air live Sunday, May 23, on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
