The Drake Meme Explained: History, Meaning, and Best Examples
The Drake meme has been running since 2016 and shows no sign of dying. It's one of the most flexible, most used, and most recognizable formats on the internet. Here's everything about it.
Where It Came From
In October 2015, Drake released the music video for "Hotline Bling." The video is notable for being... odd. Drake dances alone in an orange-and-purple-lit box wearing a turtleneck, doing moves that were immediately described as "dad dancing at a wedding."
Two frames from that video became the meme:
- Drake dismissing — hand up, head turned away, slight look of disdain
- Drake approving — pointing forward, slight smile, clearly pleased
The juxtaposition was turned into a two-panel comparison format sometime in early 2016. The format spread so fast that within months it was one of the most recognized meme templates in existence.
Why It Works
The Drake format succeeds because it does something most memes can't: it communicates preference without explaining itself.
The two-panel structure creates an implicit argument. You don't need to say "I dislike X and prefer Y" — the image says it. Drake's expressions carry the emotional weight, and your text supplies the specific context.
This is why it adapts to literally any topic. The format is a blank logic structure: [reject] vs [accept]. You fill in the variables.
Other reasons it persists:
The expressions are perfect. Drake's dismissal is contemptuous but not angry — it's the face of someone who has already moved on. The approval is understated. The whole thing communicates confidence, which makes the format feel like the viewer has good taste rather than just different taste.
It's instantly readable. Even someone who's never seen the original video recognizes the format within milliseconds. That pattern recognition is valuable — it means no cognitive load before the joke lands.
It ages well. Unlike memes tied to a specific news event or cultural moment, the Drake format doesn't go stale. The comparison structure is timeless.
Best Uses of the Drake Meme
Classic Usage (Still Works in 2026)
Top panel (rejected): Doing the productive thing
Bottom panel (approved): Doing the thing you actually do
Top: Drinking water
Bottom: Drinking a fourth coffee at 11pm
Top: Going to bed at a reasonable time
Bottom: Starting a new anime at midnight
Top: Fixing the bug
Bottom: Commenting out the test that catches the bug
The Reversal Subversion
Sometimes the meme is used in reverse — Drake approves of the "wrong" thing to comment on poor decision-making. When used this way, the format shifts from self-deprecating humor to social commentary.
Top (approved): Paying rent
Bottom (rejected, but shown as approved): Buying every game in the Steam sale
Meta Usage
The most sophisticated Drake memes reference the format itself or subvert the expected structure — where the "approved" option is obviously worse, playing on the audience's awareness of the format's conventions.
The Format in Numbers
- Estimated uses: Hundreds of millions since 2016
- Peak usage periods: 2016–2017 (initial viral spread), 2019–2020 (second wind), consistently high ever since
- Most common topics: Productivity vs procrastination, healthy habits vs bad habits, work vs leisure, tech preferences
How to Make a Drake Meme
Making one takes under a minute:
- Open the Drake meme template on Meme0
- Click the top text layer (rejected option) and type your first item
- Click the bottom text layer (approved option) and type your second item
- Download — no watermark, no account needed
The template already has the text positioned correctly. All you do is change the words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Drake meme called? It's commonly called the "Drake Hotline Bling meme," the "Drake approving/rejecting meme," or just the "Drake meme." The format is also called the "Drakeposting" format in some communities.
When did the Drake meme start? The music video was released in October 2015. The meme format emerged in early 2016 and went viral within weeks.
Is the Drake meme still popular? Yes. As of 2026, it remains one of the most-used meme formats on Reddit, Twitter/X, and across social media. Its flexibility means it never becomes tied to a single cultural moment.
Can I make a Drake meme for free? Yes — Meme0 has the template ready to use. Free, no watermark, no sign-up.
What format is the Drake meme image? The original template is a 2:1 aspect ratio split image. Most versions are 600×600px (two 300×300 stacked panels).