Drake Reveals Exclusive Footage: How Elkan Crafted the ‘Nokia’ Beat in Sierra Leone

Drake Norman Wong has shared an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how one of the standout tracks on his latest album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U came together. Reposted from Elkan’s Instagram, Drake uploaded a video to his account plottttwistttttt showing the producer crafting the beat for “Nokia” in a studio in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on January 8, 2025.

In an interview posted alongside the video, Elkan revealed that he was going through a tough time when he made the track. “I don’t even know where to start,” he confessed. “This record means a lot to me. During a mental breakdown, I channeled all my pain, trauma and joy into music, not letting anything stop me from expressing myself.” He added that inspiration for “Nokia” came from friends who reached out to him during difficult times.

Trending on Billboard, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, marking PARTYNEXTDOOR’s first No. 1 album and giving Drake his 14th chart-topping solo release—a record he shares with Taylor Swift and Jay-Z.

The OVO duo also had a couple of songs debut in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. “Gimme a Hug” reached No. 6, while “Nokia” hit No. 10, bringing Drake’s total number of chart-topping singles to an impressive 80—more than any artist in history.