Morgan Wallen Credits Drake for Changing How He Writes Country Heartbreak Songs

Morgan Wallen has never been shy about his affinity for hip-hop, but the country megastar just revealed exactly how deep that influence runs. During a recent episode of his SiriusXM radio show, Wallen opened up about his creative process, naming rap icon Drake as a massive inspiration for his multi-platinum songwriting style.

While introducing Drake's track "Feel No Ways," Wallen reflected on his long-standing fandom, noting he has been tuning into the Toronto rapper since his late-2000s mixtape era.

"I would most certainly say that [Drake] has influenced the way I try to write, the emotions I try to evoke," Wallen shared.

Morgan Wallen Flips the Script on Country Heartbreak

For Wallen, Drake's biggest impact wasn't just the sonic vibe, it was the emotional accountability. Wallen explained that standard country music tropes often genericize a breakup by painting only one side of the story, a formula he has consciously tried to break away from by studying Drake's discography.

"Something I've noticed in country music is people really like to paint one side of a relationship picture in their music, and I've never really understood that," Wallen admitted. "I try to place the blame on both parties, because in my experience, that's the way it is. I feel like Drake, the way that I listen to his music and the things that he made me feel with those songs, helped impact that."

This multi-dimensional approach to romance is front and center across Wallen's studio album, I'm the Problem. Tracks like the angsty title track, the melancholic "Smile," and the self-reflective "Kick Myself" all trade the traditional "woe-is-me" country narrative for a more balanced, albeit still messy (it is Morgan Wallen, after all - and fans love his "messy"), assessment of a fractured relationship.

Morgan Wallen's History of Hip-Hop Crossovers

Of course, Wallen borrowing from the rap world is nothing new. He has a history of collaborating with rappers and seamlessly weaving hip-hop-inspired beats into his chart-topping country tracks. Long before his recent radio tribute, Wallen laid the groundwork for his genre-bending career back in 2019 by stepping into crossover territory with "Heartless" alongside electronic producer Diplo, utilizing a trap-infused production style that immediately caught the attention of mainstream audiences.

That experimentation quickly evolved into heavy-hitting hip-hop partnerships. In 2021, Wallen shocked the internet by teaming up with Lil Durk for "Broadway Girls," a viral smash that blended country storytelling with a distinct, drill-inspired rap beat. The creative chemistry was so natural that the duo reunited in 2023 for the deeply melodic "Stand By Me."

Wallen's footprint in the rap world has only expanded from there. By 2024, he joined forces with Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo on "WHISKEY WHISKEY," a track that effortlessly paired heavy Southern rap production with Wallen's signature country twang. He took things to an even grander scale in 2025, recruiting absolute hip-hop royalty in Lil Wayne and Rick Ross for the star-studded "Miami (Remix)," a track that fans knew was destined for a remix the second the O.G. came out.

Will Morgan Wallen and Drake Collaborate on a Song?

The timing of Wallen's radio tribute to Drake is fueling massive speculation that another historic crossover is right around the corner. Rumors have reached a fever pitch that the two titans have a collaboration in the chamber.

Fans originally expected Wallen to appear on Drake's highly anticipated album, Iceman. Instead of a single drop, Drake surprised the world by releasing a massive trilogy of albums: Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour. While a formal Wallen feature didn't make the final cut, Drake explicitly name-checked the country singer on the melodic, R&B-infused track "White Bone," crooning, "Goin' to see Morgan, cowboy boots, rhinestones / Giddy up, cowgirl, Las Vegas timezone."

Whether this radio shout-out is an easter egg for a future remix or simply a nod of respect, Wallen has proven that the traditional boundaries between country and hip-hop are officially a thing of the past.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 11:55 PM.