Drake – Make Them Know Lyrics & Meaning

Aye

Meaning:
The song begins with a sharp, confident energy, like he is about to speak honestly about pain, success, and pressure.

I tried and tried and tried
Till the R switched place with the I
I’ll never forget that July
The worst that I felt in a while
I’m glad that you think that I’m soft
I’m glad that you think that I’m shy
I need you to think all these things
I got bigger than what’s in my mind

Meaning:
He says he kept struggling and pushing himself until his emotions and identity started changing. July was a very painful time for him emotionally. People think he is weak or quiet, but he actually likes being underestimated because inside he has become mentally stronger and more powerful than people realize.

I’ll take it, an eye for an eye
I’ll send a boy up to the sky
I still haven’t lost any sleep
And I definitely didn’t cry
Ayo, Gucci get back in the ride
‘Cause that’s definitely not the guy
Mistaken identity mixed with adrenaline, almost just kissed you goodbye

Meaning:
He talks about revenge and danger, showing how tense and violent his world can become. Even after serious situations, he claims he stays emotionally cold and unaffected. He describes a moment where confusion and adrenaline almost caused a deadly mistake.

It’s rap, so it sound like a lie
When I talk to you and I confide
I’m goin’, goin’ back to Cali
I got hearts in both of my eyes
I’m sleeping with death on my mind
‘Cause the shots that I called in my time
And karma has been on my side
But I also just heard that she’s blind

Meaning:
He feels that when rappers speak honestly, people assume they are exaggerating. He mixes feelings of love, success, and fear together. Even while enjoying life, thoughts of death stay in his mind because of past decisions and conflicts. He once believed karma protected him, but now he worries that fate can change unfairly at any moment.

That bitch might just switch on a dime
‘Cause she can’t even see I’m a guy
Pressure been getting applied and I know I been bad with replies
The lawsuit I got is fried, till the R switched place with the I
They’ll frame it as people retired
But we know what’s a truth and a lie

Meaning:
He feels pressure from every side — legal issues, public opinions, and personal stress. He believes people twist stories and hide the truth. He also admits he has emotionally pulled away from people and stopped communicating properly because of everything happening around him.

And they’ll act like we signin’ a deal
When they pay me for wastin’ my time
And they’ll act like I lost my appeal
But they’ll pay me for changin’ they mind
They got wind of the fact I was hit
And the whole world started to chime

Meaning:
He criticizes the music industry and media for pretending they still control his value, while secretly depending on him. When news spread that he had problems or was attacked, everyone suddenly started talking about him, showing how obsessed people are with his life.

Not scared of no suit or no tie
‘Cause shit, victory always been mine
If I free up, my bro gotta live with it
‘Cause we know that that man isn’t innocent
If they sayin’ he did it, he did the shit
But he still might come home in a little bit

Meaning:
He says he is not afraid of powerful people, courts, or authority. He stays loyal to his friends even when they are involved in serious trouble. There is a feeling of loyalty mixed with acceptance of the harsh realities around him.

Four hundred racks on the head
How am I spendin’ so frivolous?
I act like the money’s unlimited
If a Rolex I want ’bout to drop
I reserve the shit like I’m indigenous

Meaning:
He reflects on how casually he spends huge amounts of money now. Luxury has become normal for him. The confidence and wealth are real, but there is also an emptiness underneath it.

Barber from 6 went broke
And he under my arm like I’m ticklish
How do they say they got classics
If it’s shit that you never revisited?
And if that’s the shit you revisited
Then why am I boss of the business?

Meaning:
He talks about helping people close to him while also questioning other artists’ legacies. He believes truly classic music stays meaningful over time, and his success proves that his work still connects deeply with people.

**** been talkin’ on digital
Knowin’ how shit could get physical
**** gon’ see me at birds
And act like they fuckin’ invisible

Meaning:
He criticizes people who talk tough online but act differently in real life. He sees fake behavior and hypocrisy in the people around him.

If a Rolex I want ’bout to drop
I reserve it like I’m aboriginal
Fifty millimeter president
For all the times shit got political

Meaning:
Luxury watches become symbols of status and survival for him. He connects success and expensive jewelry to overcoming political games, criticism, and power struggles in the industry.

This album, I’m never submittin’ it
‘Cause I know that they’ll never consider it
This might be the one year I won
‘Cause I know how they like to position it

Meaning:
He feels award shows and industry recognition are unfair and biased. Even if he creates something great, he believes people in power will never fully give him the respect he deserves.

My bros wanna mob on the stage
But I tell them boys, “Now have some discipline”
We don’t even want what they givin’ us
Them shits don’t even have no significance

Meaning:
He tells his friends to stay calm and controlled instead of reacting emotionally. Awards and approval from the industry no longer matter to him because he sees them as meaningless compared to real loyalty and success.

They just wanna turn up with gang
They wanna turn up with the syndicate
And bro just touched down in the States
Took a jetski from Windsor to Michigan

Meaning:
He describes the excitement and loyalty within his group. Their lifestyle feels wild, adventurous, and rebellious, showing the strong bond between him and his people.

These **** recoupin’ on 2012
They gotta do it in increments
What happened to Drake from 2009
When all of the moments was intimate?
What happened to Drake with the innocence?
I don’t think we’ll be seein’ him again

Meaning:
He looks back sadly at his younger self. Earlier in his career, his music and emotions felt more pure, personal, and innocent. Fame, pressure, betrayal, and success changed him so much that he feels that old version of himself no longer exists.

The pleasure
Don’t walk away
You’ve got your love locked up for me, oh
For me, yeah, yeah
You’ve got your love locked up for me

Meaning:
This part sounds softer and emotional. He wants love and emotional closeness from someone who feels distant. Beneath all the toughness, he still longs for affection and connection.

Iceman, baby, why are you so cool?
Freeze the world, freeze the world
Iceman, baby, why are you so cool?
I don’t know, but I ain’t no fool
Freeze the world, freeze the world
Freeze the world, freeze the world

Meaning:
He describes himself as emotionally cold and controlled, like someone who hides feelings to survive. The phrase “freeze the world” suggests wanting to pause life, escape chaos, or emotionally shut everything out.

Don’t hate me, don’t hate me

Meaning:
At the end, after all the confidence and aggression, there is vulnerability. Deep down, he fears being misunderstood, abandoned, or hated for the person fame and life have turned him into.