Before Drake became one of the biggest names in music, he was still finding his place inside Lil Wayne’s Young Money circle. Director Adam Bhala Lough recently recalled an early moment from that era while discussing the making of the documentary The Carter. Speaking with journalist Andre Gee, Lough reflected on spending time around the Young Money team during the height of Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III run.
According to Lough, Drake did not immediately fit in with the group’s tight-knit dynamic.
“At one point they wouldn’t even let Drake on the bus,” Lough said. “He was such a dork that they wouldn’t even let him on the bus.”
Lough explained that the atmosphere around Wayne’s camp could feel intense at the time. He said several people connected to the crew were affiliated with street life, which may have made Drake uncomfortable.
“There were real Blood gang members around all the time,” he said. “I was intimidated by them too.”
Despite the early awkwardness, Drake’s position within Young Money soon changed dramatically. Once his music began reaching massive audiences, his presence in the camp grew stronger.
“When he started selling millions and millions of records, it was a different story entirely,” Lough said.
Drake later became one of Young Money’s most successful artists, helping turn the label into a global hip hop powerhouse.