Controlla Lyrics

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

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About

Genius Annotation

“Controlla” is a dancehall-infused song in which Drake details his commitment to a woman. It features a similar vibe to Drake’s collaboration with Rihanna, “Work.”

On March 29, a version of “Controlla” leaked online which featured Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan. However, in the album version, Drake decided to scrap Popcaan’s verses and added a sample of Beenie Man’s “Tear Off Mi Garment.”

Beenie Man told Billboard that it meant a lot to him that Drake’s team reached out to have him on ”Controlla”:

It’s a big deal. For somebody to take a song that I’ve been done for 15 years, to release and put it out—it’s a big deal. It’s always great. For him to idolize me like that, it’s a big deal.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What is yiy?
Genius Answer

In Jamaican Patois “yiy” means “eye”. The phrase “yiy just changed” essentially means that you just got some sleep. Drake is saying that he woke up to the girl ringing his doorbell.
However, the phrase can also mean a change in mood.

What has the co-producer, Boi-1da, said about the track?
Genius Answer

That was made around the same time as ‘Work.’ There was just a time period where I was really on my island vibes. I just knew that it would be a special beat. I didn’t personally sample Beenie Man for the beat, but there’s a Beenie Man sample in the song. The beat was original with no sample in it, but the song had the little Beenie Man cut in there.

I was in the studio a lot with Drake at that time. Views is a really dope album because he went out of his comfort zone and tried something new. And basically introduced a new sound into the game with the Afrobeats and the dancehall vibes. It was something fresh.

My mentality is to always evolve, move on and never be complacent. I always want to try something else, experiment, push the envelope with my production. Some of my favorite producers—like Pharrell, like Timbaland, like Dr. Dre—were never afraid to step outside of the box and do something unexpected. I like to take pages out of their books and apply it to myself. I want to be great like they are. I want to be at the level that they’re on with their production.

[Mine and Drake’s relationship] has been the exact same. He’s just a great guy and he hasn’t changed since I’ve known him. I really appreciate that man. He changed my life, he changed my family’s life. I can’t sing nothing but praises for Drake, man. He’s just a stand-up guy and has changed the lives of many people around him.

The secret [to Drake’s success]? Bugs Bunny’s Space Jam water [laughs]. There’s no secret, it’s just love and passion for music.

via DJ Booth

What did Drake say about "Controlla"?
Genius Answer

According to Songfacts, Beenie Man explained to Billboard magazine how he end up on the song:

They reached out to me to clear the sample then he reached out to me to do an intro (sic) for the song It’s a big deal. For somebody to take a song that I’ve been done for 15 years, to release and put it out – it’s a big deal. It’s always great. For him to idolize me like that, it’s a big deal. [Laughs]

Drake also declared:

I am into any dancehall, any reggae, conscious, whatever, it doesn’t matter I’ll listen to anything. I feel like the writing, the melodies and the layering of the music in the genre is incredible.

Has this track received any certifications?
Credits
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Co-Producer
Additional Production
Assistant Recording Engineer
Recording Engineer
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Background Vocals
Recorded At
S.O.T.A. Studios, Toronto, ON
Released on
April 29, 2016
View Controlla samples
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