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40 Explains Why “The Calm” Is His Favorite Drake Song

Noah “40” Shebib recently took a break from cooking up with Drake for Certified Lover Boy to chop it up with Kevin Durant and co-host Eddie Gonzalez on The ETCs podcast. While the conversation is wide-ranging, one of the most interesting moments arrives near the end, when Kevin Durant asks what he deems to be an “unanswerable question” — what is 40’s favorite Drake song of all time?
40 Shebib

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After a bit of encouragement from the host, 40 declares that “Resistance” is “up there.” “‘The Calm’ is one of them for me, because of those bars,” continues 40. “Those bars in ‘The Calm’ about his mom, and fighting with his mom, and his uncle on the phone. You guys gotta understand, when we made that song, I was living on Fort York, which was a big condo in downtown Toronto they had just built…That’s where me and Drake first linked up and started making So Far Gone.”

“Drake was coming to the apartment all the time to work on records with me outta my bedroom where I had my little set-up,” he continues. “That’s where we formed October’s Very Own, and that’s where everything began, out of that apartment. That night, Drake came over to the crib, and he shows up with a couple bottles of liquor, a bottle of champagne. He just got there, and his phone is ringing, some shit is going down. He goes out on the balcony and starts cussing. He’s out there for like, half an hour. And it’s getting heated. He’s talking to his uncle, in a big fight with his uncle.”

“There’s screaming and yelling, and he comes back in and he’s just rattled,” reflects 40. “He’s livid, he’s steaming mad. And he’s like yo, put that beat on. And he walks up to the mic and bodies that record. And like, that experience of seeing him be so triggered by that conversation and then spit those bars, and then seeing the way people react to that song — how heart-wrenching that was, how much you felt what he was saying, that was so real. That really happened in that moment. So for me listening to that song is pretty important to me. It also defined me as a producer, as far as that sparseness and being very different and very emotional in a time where motherfuckers were making big booming, slapping records.”

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Heartwish makes a better place out of resilience on latest release “Better Place”

With “Better Place,” HEARTWISH delivers a moving melodic rock statement beyond the strong instrumentation, taking on a message the world can really relate to. Uncertainty becomes determination on a track topped with soaring guitars and anthemic melodies and a chorus that echoes long after the music fades. HEARTWISH has found hope in every musical pinnacle rather than despair, reminding listeners that hard times are only temporary and that hope finds its voice. What you get is an emotionally charged anthem that fuses heartfelt storytelling with the big energy of today’s melodic rock.

At its heart, “Better Place” is about facing the realities of broken dreams, fear, and division without ever giving in to them. The song depicts people seeking strength in uncertain times, yet always pointing to unity as the answer. Its inspiring progression echoes that journey, letting the music grow with its core message. Each chorus is a call to hope that real change begins with people choosing compassion over division.

What makes this release especially memorable is its unrelenting optimism. HEARTWISH is not just a catchy rock anthem; it is a call for courage, empathy, and collective action. “Better Place” is a reminder that no matter how dark the night, the light will shine through, and every act of kindness helps make the world a better place. It’s an inspiring release that marries melodic power with a timeless reminder that, together, we can make the world a better place.

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Henry Desira returns with renewed purpose on latest release “hopeful forever”

Henry Desira’s “Forever Hopeful” is a meaningful return to songwriting, a deeply personal release rooted in reflection, perseverance, and emotional honesty. Rather than sugar-coating life’s difficulties with simple optimism, the song embraces uncertainty and emphasizes the subtle resilience that enables us to carry on. It’s more than a return; it’s a creative renaissance after a difficult time away from music due to mental health issues.

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“Forever Hopeful” is a heartfelt song. The song is about the fact that there is still hope even when things seem too big. Henry Desira doesn’t make life seem easy, but rather embraces the complexities of life and reminds the listener that difficult moments don’t negate the possibility of brighter days ahead. That balanced view gives the track a comforting authenticity, making its message of uplift feel earned rather than idealized.

Forever Hopeful is a creative return that packs a bigger emotional punch than its title suggests. It speaks to the courage it takes to start over, to find inspiration again, to transmute personal adversity into something of value. The song becomes a personal milestone and a hopeful reminder that healing is seldom immediate, but progress is possible. Henry Desira’s latest release hits deep for being vulnerable and resilient at the same time, an honest offering of hope that sticks around long after the music stops.

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