Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesDrake may be a self-professed mama's boy, but according to the 26-year-old star, he's not an "emotional" rapper.
During a recent hourlong sit-down interview with Canadian broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi of CBC Radio, the "Started From the Bottom" singer opened up about his new hit album, his hunger for success and his ability to keep his cool in the controversial hip-hop world.
Ladies, get ready to swoon.
"I think the most important thing to understand about this record is the sentiment," the erstwhile Degrassi star said (as reported by BET.com). "I'm 26, working as hard as I possibly can with my friends, that I grew up with, making my family happy."
And while the rapper's latest album, Nothing Was the Same, features smooth and sensitive slow jams including the hit "Hold On We're Going Home" (which just happens to be Katy Perry and John Mayer's favorite makeout song), the sexy singer insists he's happy being single, despite the themes in his music, which often includes references to broken relationships.
"I'm so sick of people saying that I'm like lonely and emotional, and associating me with this like longing for a woman," he explained. "I hate that, it bothers me so much...'cause I do make music that makes you feel something, but I'm actually not that guy in real life, I'm happy...I'm very excited, my life is constantly exciting it's not some sad depressing story."
He added: "As far as the soundscapes go, that's just the music that I chose to make, I make music strictly for the purpose of driving at nighttime."
But despite the public's false perception of the superstar, Drizzy insists he's always stayed true to himself, and doesn't plan to change anytime soon.
"I made a commitment early on to just be myself," he explained. "What really bothers me the most is the fact that sometimes I don't feel like I get enough credit or I don't make a big enough impact because I'm not a loose cannon in situations like this where we're doing a one-on-one interview."
"People just want me to go off more and lose my composure, and then that way I guess I would make more headlines or be more iconic," he says, alluding to his fellow hot-tempered hip-hop stars. "But that's not me. I'm a naturally poised individual."
This isn't the first time Drake has expressed those sentiments in regards to the many outspoken artists in the rap world. He previously opened up to GQ magazine after he was allegedly involved in a violent bar brawl with Chris Brown at the W.i.P nightclub in NYC in June 2012, calling their beef "embarrassing." (Drizzy denied his involvement in the altercation.)
"I wish we could sit down, just like you and me are right now, and talk it out man-to-man," he told the mag in June. "But that's not going to happen. I'm not confrontational, but if someone challenges, I'm not going to back down."
He added that their feud only fuels negative publicity and "distracts from the music."
Clearly, the rapper prefers to make headlines for his music, which, we predict, he will continue to do, as Drake says he's still hungry for even more success.
"I think that I've sacrificed so much for it [success] already and dedicated so much of my time that I have to push it as far as I possibly can," he explained. "'Cause I've given up a lot of years, as far as nurturing personal relationships go, and trying to build things like a family or a relationship…I don't do any of that. I just kind of work…at this point in my life I'm okay with that. I think it's a great age to be doing that...So I'm still ready to be young and hungry and talk my game."