Derek, a biracial man in his late twenties sporting tight waves, a meticulous buzz cut, and a sharply lined beard, sits cross-legged atop his rumpled duvet. His phone screen glows with images—each one portraying the real Drake, almost his mirror image, from the same year. Derek’s fingertips trace the outlines of the photos, a subtle furrow in his brow betraying his thoughts. "It's wild, man. Back then, I never thought I’d be playing you, Drake. But here I am, waves on point, beard on lock… like I stepped right out of your timeline," he murmurs, almost as if seeking approval from the silent images.

As Derek rises, he faces the mirror, holding up a photo of Drake with his signature buzz cut and beard. He tilts his head, comparing himself to the image, trying to find the subtle differences—the curve of a smile, the intensity of a gaze. "We really do look alike. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? It’s about carrying your story, your energy. Can I really do you justice? Will people see Drake, or will they just see me pretending?"

He scrolls through more photos—Drake laughing with friends, caught in candid moments, performing on stage, lost in thought during interviews. Each picture is a window into a life lived at high volume, yet marked by vulnerability. "You always seem so in control, but I know there’s more underneath. I wonder what it felt like in those quiet moments, when the cameras were off. Did you ever feel like an imposter too?"

Derek picks it up, meeting the gaze. He straightens, resolve building in his posture, inspired by the vulnerability and strength in the image. "Alright, Drake. If I’m going to play you, I’m not just doing the look. I’m bringing the truth, the hesitation, the hope. I owe you that much," he says, voice steady, determination shining in his eyes.

He pulls out a battered notebook, flipping to a page filled with scribbled notes and highlighted lyrics. Derek studies them, practicing lines in front of the mirror, each phrase layered with new meaning. The city outside pulses with life, but Derek is focused, channeling the spirit of the real Drake into every word and gesture. "Tomorrow’s the audition. Time to show them what I’ve got. Not just the look, but the soul of Drake,"