Meaning of “Wick Man” by Drake
It is made apparent from the intro that Drake is the titular “Wick Man” and that designating is meant to serve as a means of the rapper likening himself to the fictional John Wick. In context, John Wick is a character who kills his enemies by the lot.
So Drizzy is trying to allude to having a similar characteristic. And in the process, he makes what later comes to light as being an indirect reference to Pusha T, who can be considered the most notable, in terms of the seriousness of their beef, of all Aubrey’s rivals in the rap game.
But that said, outlets that refer to this song as a diss track or one calling out certain individuals are stretching matters. To the contrary, Wick Man is for the most part introspective rather than interpersonal per se.
The first verse, though containing that Pusha T reference in full, in large part harps on Drake being surprised by not only his success but how “quick” it all occurred. Indeed, if we were to go back just 15 years ago, Aubrey Graham was relatively unknown and even in that regard as an obscure Canadian actor.
But now, in 2023, he ranks amongst the highest-selling artists in music industry history. And the rapper being taken aback by his achievements is also the sentiment that he segues into the second verse with, and in the midst of it all he metaphorically namedrops superstar wrestler John Cena.
But then Drizzy tackles different topics, such as the challenges he deals with as a biracial rap star and, more pointedly, his lack of belief in God.
Nadia Ntuli
As relayed, the rapper became desensitized towards a Higher Power with the passing of (according to an unreviewed Genius annotation as of this writing) one Nadia Ntuli, a young British model who died in 2021. In fact that very year, Drake dedicated his album, “Certified Lover Boy”, to Ntuli.
The most basic way of understanding Aubrey’s argument is along the lines of having perceived Nadia as an innocent, optimistic lady whose death totally caught him by surprise.
And afterwards, he waited a good year and a half for her “spirit to come by”, but it ‘didn’t visit him once’. So presumably, Drizzy’s belief has apparently been shaken not only due to the passing of someone he didn’t feel deserved it but also that fact that he has no proof of there being an afterlife.
Capo and Boat
Afterwards, Graham goes about giving a double shoutout “Capo”, aka Chubbs, i.e. his loyal bodyguard. And whereas Drake alluding to himself being a shooter may or may not be a fantasy, he does let it be known that Capo is actually “wicked” and “evil” enough to do so.
Also to note, before the song closes out Drizzy gives a shoutout to “Boat”, aka B-list rapper Lil Yachty, who is currently one of his regular behind-the-scenes’ collaborators and, as inferred, someone who Drake has faith in.
Credits
Lil Yachty wrote this song with Drake, Koen De Bruyne (not to be confused with Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne) and its producer, The Alchemist.
Release Date of “Wick Man”
The labels behind this track, OVO and Republic, made it publicly available on 17 November 2023 as part of Drake’s surprise release, “For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition”, which is an extension of his previously (about a month earlier) released “For All the Dogs” studio album.
