--- description: Apple is trying to sign rapper Drake to a $19 million deal to perform as a guest DJ for iTunes Radio. title: Why Apple Reportedly Wants to Pay Drake $19 Million image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4537ff100f69e8a1/698852720b72e3ac0d6e4420/gettyimages-181515800.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Media](/tag/media/) ## Media Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Why Apple Reportedly Wants to Pay Drake $19 Million ## Video: 5 Ways Jonathan Ive Changed Your World [Watch (HLS stream): 5 Ways Jonathan Ive Changed Your World](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/U5Oyjh6b.m3u8) (3:22)  _Published 2014-03-17. Jonathan Ive has been essential in designing the envelope-pushing products for Apple for nearly two decades._ by [Victor Luckerson](/author/victor-luckerson/) ## Victor Luckerson Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 1, 2015 3:38 PM CUT  Singer Drake attends the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on September 21, 2013 Singer Drake attends the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on September 21, 2013David Becker— Getty Images by [Victor Luckerson](/author/victor-luckerson/) ## Victor Luckerson Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 1, 2015 3:38 PM CUT Apple is reportedly opening up its checkbook to secure its place in the future of music streaming. The tech giant is [trying](http://nypost.com/2015/05/31/apple-in-talks-to-sign-drake-as-itunes-radio-guest-dj/ "undefined") to sign rapper Drake to a $19 million deal to perform as a guest DJ for iTunes Radio, according to the New York _Post_. Pharrell and David Guetta are also in talks to provide exclusive content to Apple, the _Post_ reports. Apple recently picked up BBC Radio host Zane Lowe to work on iTunes Radio. The company is expected to unveil new features for the Internet radio service as well as a Spotify-like on-demand streaming service at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. An Apple spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. **Read more:** [Everything We Know About Apple’s New iPhone Software](http://time.com/3899983/apple-ios-9-iphone/ "undefined") ### A History of Drake's Best Musical Collaborations  Crooner Trey Songz appeared on Drake’s 2009 track “Successful,” and that same year, Drake appeared on Songz’ “I Invented Sex.” Ray Tamarra—Getty Images  Over the years, Drizzy and Weezy have released several collaborations, but two of their most memorable team efforts include “HYFR” and “The Motto,” both from Drake’s 2011 album “Take Care.” Jared Milgrim—FilmMagic/Getty Images  In 2010, Drake appeared on Rihanna’s song “What’s My Name?” The following year, Rihanna returned the favor and sang on the title track from his 2011 album “Take Care.” They both starred in each other’s music videos. Johnny Nunez—WireImage/Getty Images  Eminem and Drake joined forces (along with Kanye West and Lil Wayne) for the 2009 hit “Forever.” Kevin Winter—Getty Images  Drake appeared on two Mary J. Blige tracks: “The One” in 2009 and “Mr. Wrong” in 2011. Kevin Winter—Getty Images  Drake was featured on Jay Z’s 2009 “Off That,” and Jay later appeared on Drake’s “Light Up” (2010) and “Pound Cake” (2013). Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images  Drake appeared on two of rapper and producer DJ Khaled’s biggest hits: “I’m On One” in 2011 and “No New Friends” in 2013. Kevin Winter—Getty Images  Drake’s fellow Young Money artist Nicki Minaj has appeared on several of his songs, like “Up All Night” in 2010 and “Make Me Proud” in 2011\. Drake has appeared on her recent songs like "Only" and "Truffle Butter." Johnny Nunez—WireImage/Getty Images  Drake’s fellow Toronto native The Weeknd lent his R&B vocals to Drake’s song “Crew Love.” Drake has appeared on The Weeknd’s songs “The Zone” and “Live For.” Ian West—PA Wire/AP  Jamie Foxx invited Drake to rap on his 2009 song “Digital Girl” and his 2010 “Fall For Your Type.” Paul Drinkwater—NBC/Getty Images ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/"},"headline":"Why Apple Reportedly Wants to Pay Drake $19 Million","datePublished":"2015-06-01T15:38:04.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:44:46.020Z","description":"Rapper may be the next big get for iTunes Radio","url":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/","keywords":["Media","Tech","Apple","Drake","streaming","pubdesk"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4537ff100f69e8a1/698852720b72e3ac0d6e4420/gettyimages-181515800.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Victor Luckerson","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/victor-luckerson/"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4537ff100f69e8a1/698852720b72e3ac0d6e4420/gettyimages-181515800.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Singer Drake attends the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on September 21, 2013","caption":"Singer Drake attends the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on September 21, 2013","creditText":"David Becker— Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/media/","name":"Media"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/","name":"Why Apple Reportedly Wants to Pay Drake $19 Million"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"5 Ways Jonathan Ive Changed Your World","description":"Jonathan Ive has been essential in designing the envelope-pushing products for Apple for nearly two decades.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U5Oyjh6b/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2014-03-17T07:04:35.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/U5Oyjh6b.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/","duration":"PT3M22S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3903373/apple-drake/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```