Who is Noah “40” Shebib? History with Drake explored as producer speaks on their relationship in clips uploaded to Drizzy's new website

On Tuesday (Aug. 06), Drake uploaded approximately 100 GB worth of data which includes unreleased music, B-roll footage, old studio sessions, tour rehearsals, and live performances.

The data was uploaded to a new website titled "100 GIGS FOR YOUR HEADTOP," which was announced via Drake's new burner Instagram account (@plottttwistttttt). The rapper has consistently uploaded 259 images and videos to this account for the past two months, with a bio that leads users to the website (100gigs.org).

Included on this website was a folder titled "40_KEYS" which has 24 pieces of B-roll footage of Drizzy's longtime producer, collaborator, engineer, and friend, Noah "40" Shebib. The Grammy-winning producer has worked with the OVO CEO for several years, with their first major collaboration appearing on Drake's third mixtape So Far Gone.

The footage included in this folder finds Noah playing various piano riffs while speaking about his artistic mindset and taste in music. Shebib also extensively dives into his working relationship with Drake.

"Like in the beginning, we weren't doing 'Pop' like that, we were doing rap and R&B, and a certain type of R&B. And now we do a bunch of types of rap, a bunch of types of R&B, and a bunch of types of pop. It's just more addition to his pallet and what he does musically I think."

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"I work with him as well as for him" - Noah Shebib speaks on his relationship with Drake in unreleased documentary footage

Noah "40" Shebib, popularly known as OVO 40 or 40, has been working with Drake for over a decade and is extensively credited with some of the rapper's greatest hits across his massive discography.

A screenshot of Noah "40" Shebib playing piano riffs in the "Certified Lover Boy Documentary" (Image via 100gigs.org)

Shebib is Drizzy's "right-hand man" and has been credited with "redefining modern rap music". Kanye West collaborator and producer Mike Dean explained that 40's influence in re-shaping hip-hop and R&B affected the entire music industry.

In the documentary-style footage uploaded on "40_KEYS," the producer recounts his association with Drake and speaks on the extent to which their working relationship has grown over the years. In one clip, when discussing Drake blurring the lines between friends and colleagues, Noah states,

"I guess I work with him as well as for him. That's irrelevant for me, but I think it's important in the context of our relationship and friendship, you know. We work together. It's sort of always been that way, that's always the way our relationship has been opposed to like working for him"

A screenshot of Noah "40" Shebib talking about the 2020 elections affecting the release date for 'Certified Lover Boy' (Image via 100gigs.org)

It appears these clips were filmed during the post-production phase of Drake's 2021 album, Certified Lover Boy, as the producer can be seen excitedly discussing the potential release date for the album.

Noah even highlights how the 2020 elections played a major factor in determining the official release date for CLB, citing how it would be better for music if Trump were to win. The album was officially distributed to all major streaming platforms in September 2021.

"If Trump drags his feet getting out of the White House, that six weeks of him pardoning all his boys, packing up his s--t, and leaving f--kin' Washington. That's gonna be the craziest s--t we've ever seen and it might go south. To drop an album within that six weeks, to me, is crazy" - Noah Shebib speaks on the 2020 election impacting the release of 'Certified Lover Boy'.

A screenshot of Noah "40" Shebib playing piano riffs in the "Certified Lover Boy Documentary" (Image via 100gigs.org)

Noah also expresses his love for Laugh Now Cry Later (Feat. Lil Durk) when stating that the record would be one of the most favored tracks on CLB. He even cited that it could potentially sit at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 charts for 4-5 weeks after the LP dropped.

At the time of Laugh Now Cry Later's release, which was distributed to DSPs as a lead single one month before Certified Lover Boy was dropped, the record debuted at No.2 on Billboard's Hot 100 after garnering close to 70 million streams in its first week.

When asked whether Noah believes it would get harder for Drake to achieve a No.1 status as he progresses in his career, the producer stated,

"I think it would get difficult for any artist to maintain that position the later they get in their career, but I can't tell you that's been the case for Drake. The later in our career we get, the bigger the songs get, the better he gets. It's pretty phenomenal, so I think its easier for him as time goes on."

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When discussing who Noah could compare Drake's career trajectory to, he appeared confused, citing that he doesn't know of any other artist matching Drizzy's influence since he doesn't have "as accurate of a perspective of any other artist".

Although he acknowledges people compare the rapper to Michael Jackson, the producer explains he feels Drake's career trajectory has consistently headed up, whereas the Thriller singer's career had "peaks in values."