Pet Shop Boys have accused Drake of interpolating their song “West End Girls” without credit or permission. The borrowed riff appears on “All the Parties,” a track on the rapper’s new album For All the Dogs.
“Surprising to hear Drake singing the chorus of ‘West End Girls’ in the track ‘All the Parties’ on his new album,” Pet Shop Boys wrote on their Instagram account Friday (October 6th). “No credit given or permission requested.”
Legalities aside, “All the Parties” is an obvious nod to the synth-pop duo’s 1984 hit, as Drizzy sings “East End boys and West End girls” in the same melody. Perhaps Drake thought he was in the clear by referring to Toronto instead of Pet Shop Boys’ London?
You can listen to both songs below; the interpolation in question begins around 1:00 in “West End Girls” and around 2:41 in “All the Parties.”
Pet Shop Boys aren’t the first people to take issue with some of Drake’s creative choices this album cycle: Firstly, Halle Berry voiced her disapproval of the rapper using a photo of her doused in green slime for the single artwork to “Slime You Out,” and he also appeared to make some subtle digs at Kanye West in “8am in Charlotte.” He’ll close out his “It’s All a Blur” tour this weekend with a pair of hometown shows in Toronto, and you can get your tickets here.
