The instrumental for "Pound Cake," the outro to Drake’s 2013 album Nothing Was the Same , is celebrated as one of the most iconic "luxury rap" beats in modern hip-hop history. Produced primarily by and Jordan Evans , with additional work by Matthew Burnett , the track serves as a masterclass in atmospheric, sample-heavy production. Production & Sound Design
Drake felt the original beat wasn't the right fit and asked Boi-1da to create a new one around Jay-Z’s vocals.
The haunting vocal loop is a direct sample of Ellie Goulding's "Don’t Say a Word" . The producers pitched it down and layered it with reverb to create a dreamlike backdrop. Drake ft. Jay Z - Pound Cake Instrumental [OFFICIAL AUDIO]
After hearing the final Boi-1da version, Jay-Z actually wanted the song for his own album, Magna Carta Holy Grail , but eventually gave it back to Drake to close out Nothing Was the Same .
Experience the production and historical context of the 'Pound Cake' instrumental through these curated videos: The instrumental for "Pound Cake," the outro to
The beat is famous for its ethereal, "underwater" texture—a signature of the OVO sound during that era.
It features a crisp, steady boom-bap rhythm that provides a grounded contrast to the airy vocal samples. The haunting vocal loop is a direct sample
Jay-Z initially sent Drake two a cappella verses for a different beat produced by Noah "40" Shebib .