If You Like... · September 11, 2026
Drake has spent years moving between rap, melody and late-night R&B. These five Canadian artists work in some of the same territory without sounding like substitutes.
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This isn't a list of Drake soundalikes. Start with the part of his catalogue you return to most, then follow that thread somewhere else in Canadian music. If the R&B and dance-floor side is more your lane, our If You Like Kaytranada guide opens another route.
For sharp rap writing and melodic control
Mississauga's AR Paisley can move from clipped bars into melody without making the switch feel like a feature request. His writing is direct, confident and built for replay. If you like Drake when he is rapping first but still thinking about the hook, Paisley is an easy next stop.
For the after-hours R&B side
FRVRFRIDAY's records live comfortably in the space between R&B and melodic rap: restrained vocals, hazy production and songs that work better after midnight than at noon. His 2026 single “BORN WINNER,” featuring Boi-1da, keeps that mood intact while giving the drums more weight.
For introspection with more soul in the frame
TOBi is a stronger fit for listeners who come to Drake for self-examination rather than mood alone. The Toronto-area artist is a rapper and singer with a soul vocabulary underneath the writing. His 2026 For Good Measure live sessions put the voice and the words in front, especially on “Hoodwinked.”
For R&B that keeps the edges loose
LOONY comes at Toronto R&B from a different angle. Her songs leave room for awkward pauses, emotional reversals and vocal choices that feel conversational instead of immaculate. “RaGDOLL,” released in July 2026, is a good recent entry point if you like Drake's quieter R&B records but want something less polished around the edges.
For GTA melodic rap and the Boi-1da connection
NorthSideBenji has one of the clearest bridges back to the Toronto rap ecosystem Drake helped make global. His delivery stays low-key even when the writing turns tense, and melody usually arrives without softening the record. “TRYNA WIN,” made with Boi-1da as part of Canada Soccer's 2026 music project, is a useful recent starting point.
Explore NorthSideBenji's Northern Dial profile →
For a recent visual from Benji, “Harder To Please” shows the quieter, more inward side of the same lane.