Trust Issues
2019 song by Drake

"Trust Issues"
Black background with bold purple-gradient text: "Drake" in large uppercase letters above "Trust Issues" in slightly smaller uppercase letters, both centered with subtle shadows.
Song by Drake
ReleasedJune 21, 2011
GenreR&B
Length4:41
Label
  • OVO
  • Harlem King[a]
Songwriters
Producers
Alternative cover
A dark filtered image of Drake sitting in a chair and opening/closing a drink with friends beside him
Original 2011 OVO blog cover
Audio video
"Trust Issues" on YouTube

"Trust Issues" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It was originally released as a free download on June 21, 2011, and released in the UK on June 8, 2014, via Harlem King Entertainment. "Trust Issues" was initially unavailable on major music streaming services until its re-release on his compilation album Care Package, which was released on August 2, 2019, by OVO Sound. It is a slow, melodic, atmospheric R&B track that served as a promotional single to his 2011 studio album Take Care.

For the song, Drake led the songwriting, delving into the complexities of trust, loyalty, and betrayal in relationships under the pressure of fame. The track also explores themes of coping through substances like purple lean. Production was handled by 40 and T-Minus. "Trust Issues" incorporates elements from DJ Khaled's "I'm on One" (which features Drake).

The song inspired remixes and covers, including a remix by the Weeknd on June 25, 2011, and a profanity-free cover by Justin Bieber on August 28, 2011, which Drake praised as "crazy". August Alsina's version appeared on his untitled debut mixtape. It received positive critical reception from music critics, with some labeling it an "acclaimed track". Commercially, upon re-release, it peaked at number 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100. Certifications include platinum in Australia and New Zealand, and silver in the United Kingdom.

Background and release

"Trust Issues" was one of four tracks—"Dreams Money Can Buy", "Club Paradise", and "Free Spirit"—that were released in 2011 to promote Drake's studio album Take Care.[3][4] These standalone songs were shared via his October's Very Own blog and were initially unavailable on major music streaming services.[5] Written by Drake along with Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Nikhil Seetharam, Rick Ross, Noah "40" Shebib, T-Minus, and N. Cobey, and produced by 40, and T-Minus,[6] "Trust Issues" was originally released as a free download on June 21, 2011.[7][8] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Drake explained that "Trust Issues" and "Dreams Money Can Buy" were scrapped off from the album in favor of "Headlines" and "Marvins Room", as he planned to reserve them for a special "birthday edition".[9]

According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), "Trust Issues" received a separate UK release credit on June 8, 2014, via Harlem King Entertainment.[a] On August 1, 2019, Drake announced Care Package via Instagram.[5] "Trust Issues" was officially re-released as part of the compilation through OVO Sound on August 2, 2019,[6] shortly before his annual OVO Fest in Toronto.[5][3]

Music and lyrics

"Trust Issues"
An 18-second sample from Drake's "Trust Issues", showcasing the slow, atmospheric interpolation and reworking of his own hook from DJ Khaled's "I'm on One".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Trust Issues" runs 4 minutes and 41 seconds in length.[10] It is the fourth track on Care Package mixed and mastered by 40.[6] The song features a slow, down-tempo interpolation of Drake's own hook from "I'm on One".[11][12]

"Trust Issues" is an R&B song that examines the suffering and ambiguity arising from the complexities of interpersonal relationships.[12] Chris Coplan of Consequence described it as "one part confessional, one part ode to drank", highlighting its spacey, the Weeknd-influenced R&B vibe.[13] Writing for The Edge, George Townsend called it a "slow, melodic, atmospheric track" on which Drake's vocal likeness to the Weeknd is unmistakable.[14] The song opens with an interpolation from DJ Khaled's "I'm on One", where Drake sings "All I care about is money and the city that I'm from",[15][11] echoing his own hook from the earlier track.[16] Lyrically, Drake narrates how fame has led loved ones to turn against him through betrayal, driving him to numb his pain with liquor,[3] specifically purple lean (codeine-promethazine syrup).[12] He repeatedly questions the loyalty of those around him, expressing paranoia with lines like "I don't trust these bitches, they might catch me slipping", blending vulnerability, cynicism, and self-awareness in a confessional style.[17]

Reception and performance

"Trust Issues" generally received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Pitchfork, Tom Breihan described it as "slow and depressive", noting how it tweaks Drake's chorus from "I'm on One" into a heavier vibe.[8] In a 2019 piece, Corban Goble of Pitchfork highlighted it positively, calling it "perhaps the most meta moment on an extremely meta release" and stating that the best songs on the compilation "stand up with Drake's best music", for casting a shadow on the excess implied in "I'm on One".[16] Scott Shetier of PopCrush noted its "nice vibe" but felt it was "more of the same" compared to contemporaries like "Marvins Room", and less impressive since it built on the pre-existing DJ Khaled track.[18] In a 2019 piece, Rolling Stone called it an "acclaimed track" from that era.[19]

In the United States, "Trust Issues" debuted and peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 (chart dated August 17, 2019).[20] It also peaked at number 22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[21] and number 16 on the Rolling Stone Top 100 charts.[22] In Drake's native Canada, the song peaked at number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100.[23] In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 35 on the UK R&B Chart,[1] and number 90 on the UK Streaming Chart.[24] "Trust Issues" has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom,[2] and platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),[25] and platinum by Recorded Music NZ.[26]

Other versions

Four days after Drake released "Trust Issues" on his blog, a remix by Canadian singer the Weeknd was posted on the same blog on June 25, 2011.[27] The Weeknd performed his version in 2011 during his set at the OVO Fest.[28] On June 29, 2011, a mashup by Gizzle blending Drake's original version with the Weeknd's remix was posted on the OVO blog.[29] Later that year, on August 28, 2011, Canadian singer Justin Bieber released his cover version of the song, intentionally omitting the profanity since he was 17 years old at the time.[30] Drake praised Bieber's version, calling it "crazy".[31] American singer August Alsina recorded a cover version of "Trust Issues" for his untitled debut mixtape, with an official video uploaded on September 28, 2011.[32]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes.[6]

Charts

Chart performance for "Trust Issues"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[23] 63
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[24] 90
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[1] 35
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 58
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 22
US Rolling Stone Top 100[22] 16

Certifications

Certifications for "Trust Issues"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[25] Platinum 70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[26] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[2] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Trust Issues"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various June 21, 2011[b] Free download OVO [7]
United Kingdom June 8, 2014
Harlem King [2]
Various August 2, 2019 OVO [6]

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ a b In the United Kingdom.[1][2]
  2. ^ Released as promotional single.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 9/8/2019 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "British single certifications – Drake – Trust Issues". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Williams, Kyann-Sian (August 6, 2011). "10 Tracks From Drake's Care Package That Took Us Down Memory Lane". NME. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Holmes, Charles (November 15, 2018). "A Reminder That Drake Left Some of His Best Songs Off Take Care". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c Espinoza, Joshua (August 1, 2019). "Drake Will Release a Project Full of Care Package Songs". Complex. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e OVO Sound (2019). Care Package (Media notes). Drake.
  7. ^ a b "New Music: Drake - "Trust Issues"". Rap-Up. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (June 21, 2011). "New Drake: "Trust Issues"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Wete, Brad (December 19, 2019). "Drake Talks About Making His Upcoming Album, Growing As a rapper, and Finding a Mentor in Stevie Wonder: An EW Q&A". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Trust Issues" — song by Drake, archived from the original on August 6, 2024, retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Apple Music
  11. ^ a b c Shafer, Ellise (August 15, 2019). "Here Are the Lyrics to Drake's "Trust Issues"". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c "Drake – Trust Issues". Singersroom. April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Coplan, Chris (June 21, 2011). "Check Out: Drake – "Trust Issues"". Consequence. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "Review: Drake – 'Care Package'". The Edge. University of Southampton Students' Union. August 24, 2019. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Whittaker, Montrey (June 21, 2011). "Drake – "Trust Issues"". Earmilk. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Goble, Corban (August 6, 2019). "Drake: Care Package". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Gracie, Bianca (August 2, 2019). "Drake's Care Package: Ranking All the Songs Based on Their Emotional Baggage". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  18. ^ Shetier, Scott (June 22, 2011). "Drake, "Trust Issues" – Song Review". PopCrush. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  19. ^ Shaffer, Claire (August 1, 2019). "Hear Drake's Care Package Collection". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. August 2, 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Official Audio Streaming Chart on 9/8/2019 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  25. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Drake – Teenage Fever". Radioscope. Retrieved January 1, 2024. Type Teenage Fever in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  27. ^ Phillips, Amy (June 25, 2011). "Listen: The Weeknd Remix Drake's "Trust Issues"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "The 8 Most Memorable OVO Fest Moments Ever". CBC Music. August 1, 2019. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  29. ^ DJ, Ill Will (November 22, 2022). "Trust Issues (Gizzle Mashup)". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  30. ^ Naulls, Kevin (August 29, 2011). "Justin Bieber follows The Weeknd's lead and remixes Drake's "Trust Issues"". Toronto Life. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  31. ^ "Video: Drake Praises Justin Bieber's "Trust Issue" Remix". Complex. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  32. ^ Schwartz, Danny (November 23, 2022). "10 Essential August Alsina Tracks". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  • "Trust Issues" (audio) on YouTube
  • "Trust Issues" (lyrics) on Billboard
  • "Trust Issues" (the Weeknd remix) on YouTube
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