Drake’s growing connection to country music has taken another unexpected turn, this time involving Ella Langley’s runaway hit “Choosin’ Texas” and a name familiar to football fans: Johnny Manziel. What began as Drake showing public support for Langley has developed into one of the more surprising crossover stories in music, with the rapper previewing a new version of the country hit and Manziel becoming part of the conversation around it.
The collaboration arrives at a moment when “Choosin’ Texas” is already one of the biggest songs in the country-pop landscape. Langley’s track has spent an extraordinary amount of time at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, turning the Alabama-born singer into one of the breakout names of the year. Drake’s interest in the song has now added another layer to its growing cultural reach.
Drake’s Surprise Move Into Country Music
Drake first fueled collaboration rumors after appearing at Langley’s concert in North Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 22. Videos from the show showed the rapper singing and dancing along as Langley performed “Choosin’ Texas,” while the crowd reacted to seeing one of hip-hop’s biggest stars embracing a country hit.
The moment did not look like a one-off appearance. Drake had already been playing “Choosin’ Texas” during DJ sets and had publicly praised Langley’s songwriting. Soon afterward, he previewed a new version of the song during a Toronto DJ set, giving fans their first real taste of what a Drake remix could sound like.
The preview reportedly shifts the song toward a slower, atmospheric R&B sound while keeping the recognizable melody at the center. It is a noticeable change from Langley’s original country production, but the crossover itself feels less random after Drake’s repeated support for the song.
Why ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Became Such a Big Hit
Langley released “Choosin’ Texas” in October 2025, and the song quickly grew beyond the country audience. Its story is simple but memorable: a woman realizes that the man she loves still has a strong pull toward Texas and the woman connected to it.
That Texas-centered storyline helped give the song a strong identity, while its references to country music and familiar Southern imagery made it easy for listeners to connect with. The song eventually became Langley’s first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and continued to hold the top spot for an unusually long stretch.
By September 2026, “Choosin’ Texas” had matched the Hot 100 record for most consecutive weeks at No. 1, giving the song a place in chart history. That level of success explains why an artist like Drake would see an opportunity to put his own stamp on it.
| Detail | Remix Story |
|---|---|
| Original artist | Ella Langley |
| Song | “Choosin’ Texas” |
| Remix artist | Drake |
Johnny Manziel Adds Another Texas Connection
The Johnny Manziel reference gives the remix an extra Texas connection that fans are likely to notice. Manziel became a major college football star at Texas A&M before winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and later entering the NFL.
His name has also crossed paths with Drake before. The rapper referenced Manziel in his 2013 song “Draft Day,” making the football star part of Drake’s musical history long before the two became connected to the latest “Choosin’ Texas” conversation.
That earlier connection makes the reported name-check particularly interesting. Rather than being a completely random sports reference, Manziel fits into Drake’s long-running habit of weaving athletes and sports culture into his lyrics.
From Rap and Country to a Wider Crossover
The potential remix comes at a time when the boundaries between country and other genres have become increasingly loose. Country artists have been working with rappers and pop stars, while hip-hop performers have increasingly experimented with Southern and country sounds.
Drake stepping onto “Choosin’ Texas” takes that crossover in a different direction. Instead of Langley moving into hip-hop, Drake is adapting himself to a song that was already deeply rooted in country storytelling.
That makes the collaboration more than a celebrity pairing. It also reflects how quickly a successful country record can move across genre lines when its hook and story connect with a much broader audience.
What Happens Next With the Remix?
The biggest question now is when fans will actually get the complete Drake and Ella Langley version. Drake has previewed the song publicly, but the rollout around the remix has been surrounded by anticipation rather than a clearly announced release schedule.
For Langley, the timing could hardly be more significant. “Choosin’ Texas” has already become a defining song of her career, and a Drake appearance could introduce it to another enormous audience without taking away the country identity that made it successful.
For Drake, meanwhile, the remix represents another unexpected musical direction. His interest in Langley has been public for weeks, and the preview suggests he is serious about putting his own spin on one of the year’s biggest country records.
The Johnny Manziel reference adds a final twist that connects the remix back to Texas, football and Drake’s own catalog. If the full version arrives as expected, fans will have plenty to dissect beyond the genre crossover itself.
FAQ
Is Drake releasing a remix of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas”?
Drake has previewed what appears to be a remix of “Choosin’ Texas” during a DJ set, but the full release details have not been clearly announced.
Why is Johnny Manziel connected to the “Choosin’ Texas” remix?
Johnny Manziel is reportedly referenced in the Drake version, adding a Texas and football connection to the collaboration. Drake has also referenced Manziel previously in his song “Draft Day.”
Why is Drake working with Ella Langley?
Drake has repeatedly shown support for Ella Langley and her music. He attended one of her concerts, sang along to “Choosin’ Texas,” praised her songwriting and later previewed his version of the song.