Nice for What

Harmonically, 'Nice for What' operates on a single looped cycle drawn from the 'Ex-Factor' sample, anchoring the track in D natural minor with no modulations or harmonic surprises. The sophistication is entirely rhythmic and textural: Murda Beatz and 40 layer New Orleans bounce percussion over the R&B vocal sample, creating density through groove rather than chord movement. The deliberate harmonic simplicity keeps the hook immediately accessible and lets the sample's emotional resonance—and the video's visual argument—do the heavy lifting.

The song's existence leaked before Drake was ready to announce it: on March 14, 2018, Lauryn Hill's son Joshua Omaru Marley posted a snippet on Snapchat. Drake confirmed an upcoming Murda Beatz-produced single during an Instagram Live session, then on April 5 made a surprise appearance at a Majid Jordan concert in Toronto, telling the crowd he had a new single dropping the following night. The track was built around a sample of Hill's 'Ex-Factor' (1998), which itself sampled Wu-Tang Clan's 'Can It Be All So Simple,' and that song sampled 'The Way We Were'—generating a composer credit list that includes Hill, all eight Wu-Tang Clan members, and songwriters Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman.

Released April 6, 2018, 'Nice for What' reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on its debut—making Drake the first artist to replace himself at number one after 'God's Plan.' Produced by Murda Beatz, Noah '40' Shebib, and Blaqnmild, the track layers New Orleans bounce energy from Big Freedia and 5th Ward Weebie over a chopped loop from Lauryn Hill's 'Ex-Factor.' Directed by Karena Evans, its music video became as widely discussed as the song itself, featuring prominent women from film, sports, and fashion carrying out everyday life.