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Yesterday evening, the Internet was abuzz with the leak of Drizzy Drake's newest opus, "Wu-Tang Forever," from his upcoming third album, Nothing Was The Same.  On the song, Drake transforms the aggressive stomp of Wu-Tang Clan's classic 1997 single, "It's Yourz," into the quiet storm, hate-fuck anthem of the summer. It's quite possible the most "Drake" thing that could possibly happen without wearing a Coogi sweater.

This isn't the first time that Drake has paid homage to a classic act in his own unique way. Over the last few years, Drake has made a habit of appropriating the music and names of his favorites artists into his music. XXL is recounting them today.

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"Wu-Tang Forever" (2013)

I can't imagine an artist any less Wu-Tang Clan than Aubrey Graham but Drake's newest homage pays homage to the Iron Flay. He gets props for trying, though.

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"Girls Love Beyoncé" (2013)

Now, this seems more of Drake's speed but that could just be me. "Girls Love Beyoncé" finds Drake teamimg up with Cocaine 80's James Fauntleroy. The song finds Drake appropriating the hook of Destiny's Child's Billboard number one hit single, "Say My Name" in a track dedicated Drake's latest heartbreak.

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"Jodeci Freestyle" Featuring J. Cole (2013)

In many ways, Jodeci's blend of hip-hop, R&B and new jack swing was the evolutionary ancestor of Drake's particular musical stylings. On "Jodeci Freestyle," Drake's collaboration with J. Cole, we find the pair assuming the mantle of Jodeci like they are back.

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"Practice" (2011)

As a member of the Young Money/Cash Money dynasty, Drake decided to take on the classic Juvenile smash, "Back That Azz Up," for his song, "Practice," off 2011' s Take Care. The song borrows a sample of the song and interpolation of Juvie's single.

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"Under Ground Kings" (2011)

Since the earliest days of his career, Drake has shown love to the city of Houston. On his breakthrough mixtape, So Far Gone, Drake used chopped-n-screwed hooks and even employed the services of Bun B on his song, "Uptown." Thus, it makes a lot of sense that he would show homage to Texas rap legends, UGK, on his song, "Under Ground Kings." Not only does Drake name-check the group in the title of the song but uses the group as inspiration to show the same love to his city, Toronto, that UGK shows love to the city of Houston.

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