On March 31, Drake premiered the long-awaited black-and-white video for “Nokia,” a standout track from his collaborative album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR. Directed by Theo Skudra, the IMAX-shot video blends stripped-down visuals, raw emotion, and choreographed sequences, marking a new level in Drake’s visual storytelling.

Chart Success and Fan Reactions

The video’s release coincided with a major moment in Drake’s career, as four songs from the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100. “Nokia” alone pushed up two spots, reaching #8. Fans made #NokiaVibes trend globally, while Instagram saw over 500k “Nokia”-tagged posts within 24 hours. The video also collected over 45 million YouTube views on its first day.

Visual Aesthetic and Direction

Shot entirely in black-and-white, the video uses industrial locations, rooftop views of Toronto, and minimal lighting to focus attention on Drake and his dancers. The IMAX format heightens the clarity of every scene, emphasizing Drake’s facial expressions, body language, and the stark mood of the song.

Cameos and Creative Team

Canadian NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes a cameo appearance, reinforcing Drake’s ties to Toronto’s broader cultural scene. Behind the camera, the production team included choreographers, a director of photography specializing in natural light, and stylists who created a mix of streetwear and luxury aesthetics.

Symbolism and Speculation

The video’s owl imagery and group choreography sparked theories about subliminal messages toward Kendrick Lamar, especially with visual similarities to Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Fans also noticed callbacks to early 2000s tech culture, aligning with the “Nokia” theme and evoking Drake’s early mixtape days.

Commercial Impact and Streaming Numbers

Platform	24-Hour Streams	Chart Peak
YouTube	12.3M	#8
Spotify	8.7M	N/A

While streaming dipped slightly after the initial surge, the video helped push $ome $exy $ongs 4 U to #1 on the Billboard 200 with 246,000 album-equivalent units sold.

Marketing and Rollout Strategy

Drake used cryptic IMAX teasers, Instagram posts, and TikTok campaigns to build anticipation. The release date shift from March 28 to March 31 only fueled speculation. Influencer partnerships and viral clips gave the video momentum, contributing to a strong digital debut with 56.6 million first-day streams across platforms.

Artistic Direction and Future Moves

“Nokia” bridges Drake’s past and present. With producer Elkan’s retro-synth influence and Skudra’s cinematic vision, the track signals both reflection and reinvention. The IMAX video places Drake’s solo artistry at the forefront, even within a collaborative album.

By returning to Toronto visuals and embracing minimalism, Drake signals a deeper creative shift—hinting at a solo project and reaffirming his leadership in hip-hop culture and visual innovation.