Drake dancing in Hotline Bling sparks online sensation
Rainbow-coloured video created by Toronto's Director X

Despite Canada's federal election, a key Toronto Blue Jays game and a much anticipated Star Wars trailer release dominating online chatter Monday evening, rapper Drake still managed to capture some attention with the release of a new, seemingly designed-to-be-shared music video.
Hotline Bling Video out now. <a href="https://t.co/qgc76Se66y">https://t.co/qgc76Se66y</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleMusic">@AppleMusic</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZrI6HKN1tL">pic.twitter.com/ZrI6HKN1tL</a>
—@Drake
The Toronto rapper released a relatively low-key music video for his track Hotline Bling via Apple Music Monday night, instantly causing a sensation, countless GIFS and an online meme featuring his exaggerated dance moves.
Gifs Already <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a> <a href="https://t.co/FL9ABMFNzr">pic.twitter.com/FL9ABMFNzr</a>
—@MsFinesse247
Spending my morning doing some <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake">@drake</a> interpretive dance! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaidNoOneEver?src=hash">#SaidNoOneEver</a> until now! <a href="https://t.co/iyCO2IBTnE">https://t.co/iyCO2IBTnE</a>
—@ZakkOnAir
I'd like to thank Drake for providing me with an excuse to use when I attempt to dance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drakedancing?src=hash">#drakedancing</a>
—@senekim
Why was Drake dancing like this in the Hotline Bling video? <a href="https://t.co/3Ycrb1ZUvD">pic.twitter.com/3Ycrb1ZUvD</a>
—@HitDaBoogieZ
When you see a spider 😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a> <a href="https://t.co/hzAS9OgwqD">pic.twitter.com/hzAS9OgwqD</a>
—@LadyOnTheMuna
For the most part, the video was warmly received, with some noting that the dancing was deliberate and that Drake – who rose to fame as an actor on Degrassi: The Next Generation – isn't afraid to be silly or poke fun at himself.
the dance moves were clearly for gif purposes only <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a> <a href="https://t.co/kLX0d1EYym">pic.twitter.com/kLX0d1EYym</a>
—@beckyjparker_
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drakedancing?src=hash">#drakedancing</a> looks like he is taking the piss. He knows exactly what he is doing > <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a>
—@bipolarsunshine
drake be mixing dabbing, salsa, bachata, and the stanky leg all in one 😂💀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a>
—@belen_araintyy
Intrepid webizens also noted how well the performer's moves meshed with different styles of music – whether an upbeat Latino track, a Star Wars ditty or even a classic sitcom theme – under the hashtag #DrakeAlwaysOnBeat.
you know it's bout to be lit when you hear “SUAAAAVEEEEEEEMEEEENTEEEE” at the family party… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DrakeAlwaysOnBeat?src=hash">#DrakeAlwaysOnBeat</a> <a href="https://t.co/iieUGYPS8H">pic.twitter.com/iieUGYPS8H</a>
—@nashtygal
I'm weak af 😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DrakeAlwaysOnBeat?src=hash">#DrakeAlwaysOnBeat</a> <a href="https://t.co/kqmkPrQBMr">pic.twitter.com/kqmkPrQBMr</a>
—@yasslex
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DrakeAlwaysOnBeat?src=hash">#DrakeAlwaysOnBeat</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/starwars">@starwars</a> cantina edition <a href="https://t.co/u8Gy3Za0Ej">pic.twitter.com/u8Gy3Za0Ej</a>
—@jakeholla
However, the thumping, moody, rainbow-coloured video – created by Toronto-born Director X, the popular director behind music videos for Usher, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Iggy Azalea and Nelly Furtado – did garner some criticism for certain scenes depicting women.
The best thing about <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake">@Drake</a> 's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HotlineBlingMusicVideo?src=hash">#HotlineBlingMusicVideo</a> is his dancing ... but I don't see what's so great about objectifying women
—@LolaHensley
The buzzworthy video is just the latest achievement for Drake, who already has two No. 1 albums under his belt for 2015 and is currently working on his next studio effort, Views from the 6.
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