Although Justin Bieber’s filtered ass is currently the talk of the internet and Instagram (we see you, too, John Legend), there’s another guy who’s gained some attention for a recently released thirst trap: Drake.
The picture, a shirtless Drake wearing blue OVO sweatpants low enough to showcase a pair of black Calvin Klein briefs and, more importantly, a chiseled torso, has resulted in multiple responses, many of them including one or all of the following emojis: ??????
Through the guidance of trainer Jonny Roxx, Drake has become so swole that you cannot deny the boy has indeed grown up. But this isn’t the rapper’s first attempt at a thirst trap. Throughout the years, Drake has dropped several different shirtless photos, each one worthy of a tongue emoji, or two, or three, or 10. So to celebrate Drake’s physical transformation, we’re going to look back on some of the thirst traps that came before this one, as well as rate each one from one to 10 tongue emojis.
January 2012
https://instagram.com/p/g69AN/
The bulging biceps and back muscles are all on display in this picture. But there’s not too much else going on. Drake isn’t even close to the Super Saiyan swole he achieved in other photos. But we’ll throw in an extra tongue emoji because, well, Aaliyah.
Score:
April 2013
https://instagram.com/p/cxWsY2DQGN/
There’s almost a Bane-esque feel to this picture. The thirst trap is subtle but present, Drake’s muscles disguised in darkness. But his back is the star of the show here, and it’s undeniably on point. Plus, there’s new ink.
Score:
November 2013
https://instagram.com/p/g9MPOiDQDb/
The first frontal shirtless photo. Someday, this will be in the MOMA or, at the very least, the Smithsonian. He looks like he just finished working out, and you can already see the progress. We see you, Aubrey.
Score:
August 2014
https://instagram.com/p/r01sUXDQD8/
A blurry bod is the worst bod, but you can still see that Drake is totally committed to the #SwoleLife. We’ll throw in half a tongue emoji because this was the same night he did the ice-bucket challenge with Lil Wayne.
Score:
October 2014
https://instagram.com/p/t8L01yDQHw/
You can never go wrong with monochrome, and this is the only monochrome shirtless selfie Drake has taken thus far. Everything about this picture is tongue-emoji-worthy… the clouds, the pine tree, the water and, of course, Drake. He’s figuratively and literally flexing here. All that’s missing is a plate of diced pineapples.
Score:
May 2015
https://instagram.com/p/3ND-Y3DQKH/
A thirst trap selfie full of filter, weights and defined muscles. Also acknowledge the facial hair going on, which magically appears on one’s face when he becomes a certain level of swole. Drake is dedicated, and you can see that in his face. Keep on pushing those pounds, Champagne Papi.
Score:
June 2015
https://instagram.com/p/3fOIQVDQPd/
Drake has that “I look like I just woke up, but damn I look good” face going on. And he’s angled almost perfectly to where his abs and torso are piercing through your phone screen. Someone, somewhere probably has this picture as their screensaver, and literally licks it once every two to three months.
Score:
July 2015
https://instagram.com/p/4qz-eFjQOp/
This one is… artistic. This is one of those pictures you take when you want to simultaneously cause thirst overload and show you have an eye for composition. Sure, this one didn’t receive as many double taps or comments as the more obvious thirst traps, but sacrifices have to be made to showcase your results in new, engaging ways. And because of that, this picture will be rewarded with our highest rating…
Score:
July 2015
https://instagram.com/p/41L5QzDQNC/
The one everyone is talking about. The one that has resulted in comments such as: “Hahaha I feel violated seeing him like this,” “Papiiiiiiii,” “Lord Jesus I’m married but hot daaaaayuuumm boyeee!!!! Waaaay up I feel blessed” and, our personal favorite, “?????????????.” This is a no-holds-barred thirst trap. This will be used in Thirst Trap 101 courses in the foreseeable future. This is the photo you’ll tell your grandchildren about, and they won’t believe you because all images will be in 3D by then. But, honestly, this picture isn’t that great. Sure, this is the pinnacle of Drake’s swoleness. And, as such, this should be kind of epic. But not even the lighting does justice to his redefined bod. This thirst trap selfie had so much potential to go above and beyond, but it didn’t. Maybe next time, Aubrey.
Score:
