Insider Secret: Smiley's Hidden Collaboration You Didn't See Coming
Yes, Smiley, the Toronto-based OVO Sound rapper, has teased a secret collaboration with Drake that fans speculate is already recorded and slated for release soon, following his January 2025 livestream confirmation of a "new slapper" as a lead single for his upcoming album.
Background on Smiley's Career
Alexander Eli Morand, professionally known as Smiley, emerged from Toronto's hip-hop scene in the late 2010s. Born in 1997, he initially performed under the name Smiley_61st before signing with Drake's OVO Sound label and Warner Records. His breakthrough came with the 2021 single "Over the Top" featuring Drake, produced by Tay Keith, which peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered over 150 million Spotify streams by mid-2026.
Smiley's discography includes key releases like the 2018 mixtape Buy or Bye, the 2020 EP YYZ - LAX, and his debut album Buy or Bye 2 in August 2021, featuring artists such as OhGeesy and Pressa. In 2023, he dropped the EPs I Did What I Did and Garden Boyz, followed by singles "Fashion Week" with SadBoi in 2024 and the 2025 EP Don't Box Me In with tracks like "2 Mazza" again featuring Drake.
- Smiley's style blends melodic flows, distorted ad-libs, and trap influences, setting him apart in Canadian hip-hop.
- He has collaborated with artists including Pressa on "38," 42 Dugg on "Grammy," and Icewear Vezzo on "Money Feen."
- Drake's endorsement dates back to 2018 when he quoted Smiley's lyrics amid his feud with Pusha T.
- Recent stats show Smiley's monthly Spotify listeners hovering at 2.5 million as of May 2026.
The Secret Collab Tease
On January 2, 2025, during a livestream hyping his next album, Smiley confirmed a fresh collaboration with Drake, calling it a "slapper" set for release as the lead single. This marks their first joint track since "Over the Top" and "2 Mazza," sparking immediate fan frenzy online.
The buzz intensified in June 2025 when Smiley discussed a "leaked Drake collab" in a Hot Freestyle interview, hinting at unreleased material circulating among superfans. He described the creative process: "Drake sent me the beat, I stopped driving just to vibe to it" - echoing their "Over the Top" origin story from 2021.
"Drake too, we have a new slapper coming out... It'll be the lead single on the album." - Smiley, January 2025 livestream
By May 2026, no official drop has occurred, but snippets have fueled TikTok trends with over 500,000 videos using rumored audio clips, boosting Smiley's search interest by 340% year-over-year per Google Trends data.
Timeline of Smiley-Drake Partnerships
- July 2021: "Over the Top" releases, debuting at #57 on Hot 100; certified Platinum by RIAA in 2023.
- August 2021: Featured on Buy or Bye 2, album streams hit 200 million within months.
- 2025: "2 Mazza" appears on Don't Box Me In EP, peaking at #92 on Hot 100.
- January 2, 2025: Livestream tease of unnamed "slapper" collab.
- June 18, 2025: Hot Freestyle interview mentions leaked version.
- May 2026: Ongoing speculation amid Smiley's December 2025 single "DVP" with Baka Not Nice.
Key Collaborations Data
| Track | Collaborator | Release Date | Peak Chart (Hot 100) | Streams (Spotify, May 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over the Top | Drake | July 2021 | #57 | 150M+ |
| 2 Mazza | Drake | 2025 | #92 | 45M |
| 38 | Pressa | 2021 | - | 30M |
| Money Feen | Icewear Vezzo | 2025 | - | 12M |
| Fashion Week | SadBoi | 2024 | - | 8M |
| DVP | Baka Not Nice | Dec 19, 2025 | - | 5M (early) |
This table highlights Smiley's collab success, with Drake features driving 70% of his top streams. Data sourced from Billboard and Spotify analytics as of May 8, 2026.
Is It Truly "Secret"?
While not entirely covert - given the public tease - the collab's details remain under wraps, with no title, artwork, or exact date announced by May 2026. Fans point to a December 2025 Amazon Music listing hinting at more OVO ties via "DVP" with Baka Not Nice.
Speculation ties it to Smiley's dream list, where he expressed interest in Cardi B during the same livestream, but confirmed Drake as the immediate priority. Historical context: Drake has consistently boosted OVO signees, with Smiley's "Over the Top" mirroring early career lifts for artists like PartyNextDoor.
Impact on Smiley's Trajectory
The anticipated drop could propel Smiley's streams by 50-100%, based on "Over the Top's" precedent, which increased his followers by 400,000 overnight. Industry analysts predict a top-40 debut, citing Drake's 2026 chart dominance post-re-election buzz.
- Potential album release: Q2 2026, per livestream hints.
- Fan engagement: 1.2 million Instagram views on tease clips.
- Critical reception: Past collabs scored 82/100 average on Album of the Year aggregates.
- Market stats: Canadian rap collabs with U.S. stars average 2x stream growth.
Historical Context in Hip-Hop
Secret collabs are a staple in rap, from Drake's unheralded Kanye features on Take Care (2011) to leaked Kendrick Lamar tracks pre-Mr. Morale. Smiley's fits this, amplifying hype in a streaming era where 65% of viral hits stem from teasers, per 2025 Nielsen reports.
Drake's OVO has a 78% success rate in elevating signees to Hot 100, with Smiley's prior peaks validating the formula. Quote from producer Tay Keith: "Smiley's energy on those beats is unmatched" - from 2021 Over the Top sessions.
| OVO Signee | Key Drake Collab | Chart Impact | Stream Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smiley | Over the Top | #57 | 150M |
| PartyNextDoor | Come and See Me | #49 | 500M |
| Majid Jordan | Hold On | #80 | 100M |
Fan Reactions and Stats
Post-tease, Reddit's r/OVOSound saw 15,000 upvotes on discussion threads, with 82% predicting a #1 rap single. TikTok challenges using leaked audio hit 750,000 creations by May 2026.
- January 2025: Livestream trends #SmileyDrake worldwide.
- February: Fan petitions reach 50,000 signatures for release.
- June 2025: Leak interview boosts YouTube views to 2M.
- Ongoing: 340% search spike.
Smiley's unique flow - lilting and experimental - pairs perfectly with Drake's versatility, promising another hit. As of May 8, 2026, anticipation builds with no delays signaled.
Future Outlook
Expect the collab by summer 2026, potentially bundled with tour dates. Smiley's evolution from underground to OVO staple underscores the power of strategic partnerships in hip-hop's competitive landscape.
With 2025's Don't Box Me In averaging 4.2/5 on RateYourMusic and recent singles like "Spill the Tea" charting regionally, this "secret" drop cements his rise.
Everything you need to know about Insider Secret Smileys Hidden Collaboration You Didnt See Coming
Who is the collaborator?
It's confirmed as Drake, Smiley's OVO mentor, based on his January 2025 livestream and prior history.
When does it release?
No exact date yet; teased as a 2025 lead single, but delays push speculation into mid-2026.
Is there a leak?
Yes, Smiley acknowledged a leaked version in his June 2025 interview, circulating on platforms like TikTok.
Will it feature on an album?
Affirmative - positioned as the lead for Smiley's untitled next project.
Any other secret collabs?
Beyond Drake, recent "DVP" with Baka Not Nice (Dec 2025) was unannounced until listing; Cardi B remains a wishlist item.