Drake admits he had a moment of ‘hesitation’ about working with Chris Brown earlier this year, as he didn’t want to ‘disrespect’ their mutual ex Rihanna.
This summer, Drake and Chris ended their long-running feud by working together on the hit single No Guidance.
It was a huge moment considering the pair were embroiled in a nasty fight at a New York City nightclub back in 2012 over Rihanna.
Chris, 30, famously dated RiRi a decade ago but split after he brutally assaulted her during an argument in 2009.
Years later, Rihanna and Drake enjoyed an on-off romance over a long period but she awkwardly friend-zoned him after he delivered an overly complimentary speech about her at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2016.
However, the pair are back on friendly terms again and she is even said to have attended his 33rd birthday party in October.
Sharing his feelings about Rihanna now, Drake told Rap Radar: ‘That person that was in the middle of us is no longer a part of either of our lives currently and I have the utmost love and respect for her. I think of her as family more than anything.’
Drake went on to recall his first thoughts about collaborating with Chris again, explaining: ‘I actually had a moment of hesitation before because I didn’t ever want her to feel disrespected by me linking up with him.
‘But I also know how many nights she knows that me and him have both been consumed by this issue and, I think she’s a good person with a good heart that would rather see us put that issue to bed than continue childish s*t that could end up in a serious situation.’
Friends in Chris’ circle had told Drake that the Loyal singer was ‘in a really good space’ these days and was ready to reconcile with his former friend.
‘I just really always had a lot of admiration for his talent and I think finally he gave me the mutual respect and admiration by allowing me to take the lead on the song,’ Drake admitted.
After praising Chris for ‘bodying’ his verses on No Guidance, Drizzy continued: ‘Not only did we link back up and have a cool show moment, but we did a record together… and it’s serious.
‘It’s not a joke or some s**t that’s gonna disappear.
‘I really do thank him because both of us just being able to put ego aside and trusting me.’
Drake is currently working on his next album and teased that he and Chris have recorded more songs together but he’s unsure what’s going to make the final cut.
Elsewhere in his two-hour interview with Rap Radar, Drake reveals he took a DNA test to prove Adonis was his son and states that he has ‘no desire’ to forgive Pusha T for exposing the news about his child.
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