“0 to 100 / The Catch Up” is a two-part song by Canadian rapper Drake, released on June 1, 2014 through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. The track quickly gained global recognition, becoming a Platinum-certified hit by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January 2015, with over one million digital sales in the United States.
Background and Composition
The track combines two contrasting segments: “0 to 100” and “The Catch Up.”
The first half, “0 to 100,” mirrors the stripped-down, assertive sound of Drake’s “Started from the Bottom” from Nothing Was the Same (2013). It features minimalist production, confident lyricism, and the now-iconic line, “If I ain’t the greatest, then I’m headed for it.”
The second part, “The Catch Up,” slows the tempo with introspective lyrics over a sample from an unreleased James Blake track. It reflects Drake’s dual artistic identity—balancing self-assured ambition with personal introspection—summed up in his line, “If I haven’t passed you yet, watch me catch up now.”
Production credits include Boi-1da, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, Nineteen85, and Noah “40” Shebib, all frequent collaborators within the OVO Sound collective.
Critical Reception
“0 to 100 / The Catch Up” received widespread acclaim from critics and was featured in multiple year-end top song lists.
- Billboard listed it among the “10 Best Songs of 2014 (So Far)” and later crowned it “Best Rap Song of 2014.”
- Rolling Stone placed it in the “50 Best Songs of 2014”, describing it as “six minutes that pan across the whole Drake saga.”
- HipHopDX ranked it in the “Top 10 Singles of 2014.”
The song also earned two Grammy Award nominations at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
Usage in Media
The single achieved strong cultural influence across entertainment and advertising:
- Featured in a Sprite commercial alongside Nas, promoting the “Obey Your Verse” campaign, which printed hip-hop lyrics (including Drake’s “Know yourself, know your worth”) on cans.
- Appeared in the NBA 2K16 soundtrack, often used in pre-game cutscenes featuring Stephen Curry, who is referenced in the lyrics.
- Included in Madden NFL 25 (2024) and referenced in TV shows such as Letterkenny (Season 1, Episode 6).
Remixes and Influence
The instrumental of “0 to 100” became one of 2014’s most remixed beats, inspiring numerous freestyles and reinterpretations by prominent hip-hop artists, including:
XXXTentacion, Meek Mill, Lil Durk, G-Eazy, Fat Trel, Cassidy, Wiz Khalifa, Remy Ma, Stormzy, and the G-Unit collective (50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, and Kidd Kidd).
The beat was also used during the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, showcasing its broad influence across the rap landscape.
Commercial Performance
The single achieved significant chart success worldwide:
| Chart (2014) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 35 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 8 |
| US Rhythmic Airplay | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 68 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 59 |
| Australia Urban (ARIA) | 27 |
| Germany (Deutsche Black Charts) | 2 |
Certifications:
| Region | Certification | Units/Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA) | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000 |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 400,000 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 2× Platinum | 140,000 |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000 |
Personnel
Vocals and Songwriting: Drake
Producers: Boi-1da, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, Nineteen85, 40
Additional Contributors: Chester Hansen (bass), James Blake (sample), Noel Cadastre (recording and drum programming)
Legacy
“0 to 100 / The Catch Up” marked a pivotal moment in Drake’s mid-2010s career, bridging the raw energy of his earlier work with the introspection that defined his later albums. The song’s cultural impact—its quotable lyrics, Grammy nominations, and massive remix presence—cemented it as one of Drake’s most influential standalone singles.
