Drake Language Analysis

Language in songs is usually associated with slangs, changing morphology, various syntax, incorrect tenses, and as well as the other changing away from Standard English. Surprisingly, the changing in English language is used a lot in songs, especially in hip-hop songs and lyrics. One of the most famous hip-hop artists is Drake, who is constantly using new language. He is a famous African American singer, rapper, song writer. From analyzing his three famous songs, “Try Harder, Successful, and Shut It Down”, I can conclude that his way of using English contain the using of the third person singular without the conjugation of the present tense verb, which is without –s. Moreover, the form of copula is also incorrectly used throughout the songs.

2) “Because she know that my reputation perceives me and people watch me on TV” (Try harder).
SAE: Because she knows that my reputation perceives me and people watch me on TV.
3) “And my mother try to run away from home” (Successful).
SAE: And my mother tries to run away from home.
From the examples above, the third person conjugations are incorrect. In other word, the song writer wrote it on purpose, because the writing language in songs is usually not so important as long as it fits the rhythm perfectly. Sometimes, the writer tries to make it short but understandable no matter if it is grammatically incorrect.
The absence of copula form repeatedly occurs throughout the songs. The words’ meaning is still the same but different syntax and morphology.
4) “You gonna try to try harder” (Try harder)
SAE: You’re going to try to try harder
5) “Niggas wanna say that you ain’t around” (Try harder)
SAE: Niggas want to say that you are not

SAE: And my stomach was soaking wet, she is only 5’2”
The examples above indicate the absence of the copula form is pretty common in the songs. The first example is the most common, not only in Drake’s songs but in day-to-day conversation as well. The speaker tries to make it shorter and takes less time to express an idea. In the second example, instead of using the verb to be, the writer/singer tries to save time by using the word ain’t. The third example lacks the auxiliary verb. Overall, these changes are associated with syntax and morphology. Last but not least, the using of invariant be is commonly used throughout every song.
7) “They be starin’ at the money like it’s unfamiliar” (Successful)
SAE: They are staring at the money like it’s unfamiliar.
8) “You be the baddest girl around round round” (Shut it down).
SAE: You would be the baddest girl around round round or you are the baddest girl…
The using of this invariant be indicate some certain repeatable action and idea in songs. It occurs commonly in context and it does not always occur in other forms such as am, is, are. This type of changing is only occurring in the present or now but not in the past