Drake and Elkan Unveil Behind-the-Scenes Look at ‘Nokia’ Production in Sierra Leone

Drake shared a behind-the-scenes video of producer Elkan creating the beat for “Nokia” from their new album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. Elkan described the emotional turmoil he faced while composing the track, explaining its significance to him. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking milestones for both artists.

Drake and producer Elkan have provided an exclusive look at the creative process behind one of the highlight tracks from their collaborative project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The behind-the-scenes video, which depicts Elkan producing the beat for “Nokia,” was shared by Drake on his Instagram account and originally posted by Elkan on January 8, 2025, from a studio in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Elkan shared on social media that he was experiencing a challenging period in his life while composing the beat. He stated, “I don’t even know where to start. This record means a lot to me. In the mist of a mental breakdown, I channeled all the pain, trauma, and joy into music not letting a f—ed up mental state stop me from expressing myself.”

He elaborated, “Nokia came from people I love ringing my line asking if I was okay inviting me out to karaoke, clubbing, going to crazy food spots and just enjoying the finer things in life! When Drake puts pen to pad onna elkan ting you know it’s a speeeecial one!” This collaboration has since gained significant attention, contributing to their album’s success.

The album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking PARTYNEXTDOOR’s first No. 1 album and granting Drake his 14th, thereby placing him alongside Taylor Swift and Jay-Z as the highest-achieving solo artists. Notably, they also feature two songs in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10: “Gimme a Hug” at No. 6 and “Nokia” at No. 10, bringing Drake’s total to 80 top 10 hits, a historic milestone.

Drake and Elkan’s collaboration showcases the emotional depth and creative process behind their music, particularly in the track “Nokia.” The project has achieved remarkable success on the Billboard charts, underlining their prominence in the music industry. As they continue to explore personal narratives through their art, their relationship further exemplifies the rewarding nature of musical partnerships.

Original Source: www.billboard.com