Drake Surprises Fans By Releasing New Single 'Started From The Bottom' - Audio

4 February 2013, 15:31

The 'Moment 4 Life' rapper is now preparing to release his third studio album later this year.

Drake has surprised fans by releasing a brand new single this past weekend, the first cut from his upcoming third studio album.

The 'Take Care' rapper unveiled 'Started From The Bottom' through his official blog two weeks before a new song had been expected to debut, and said he had wanted to put the song out directly to his fans.

"I didn't feel I needed any interviews or radio or press to launch this song," Drake wrote in a letter on his October's Very Own blog. "It felt right to come back to the site that I started on and release it to the people that started here with me."

The 'Moment 4 Life' rapper went on to explain that the song is very personal to him and charts his difficult journey from a young man to a successful music star.

"I feel sometimes that people don't have enough information about my beginnings and therefore they make up a life story for me that isn't consistent with actual events," Drake explained. "My family and my second family (consisting of the best friends anybody could ever have) all struggled and worked extremely hard to make all this happen.

"I did not buy my way into this spot and it was the furthest thing from easy to achieve," he added. "I am proud of every part of my past and I'm excited for this song to find a place in your life as well."

Drake's statement also confirmed he is in the process of planning a brand new tour to promote the follow-up album to 2011's 'Take Care'.

Check out a picture of Drake on stage below (Credit: Getty):

Drake has been nominated for a number of awards at this month's Grammy Awards 2013, including Best Rap Album, which takes place on 20th February.

Listen to Drake's newly unveiled single 'Started From The Bottom' below (Warning: Explicit Language):