Drake has revealed that he understands Sade’s reasons for turning down opportunities to collaborate.

The Toronto-based rapper, who late last year expressed interest in dueting with the 51-year-old singer-songwriter, has insisted that he still has not given up hope of a future collaboration.

Speaking to MTV, the 23-year-old said: “Her brand is always protected. That’s why, other people’s visuals, other people’s songs, stepping outside your zone can jeopardize your brand. It can bring you down as opposed to bring you up.

“I personally feel we could have done something amazing. But I don’t think she really knows who I am, really, my genre of music. I put it out there. It was more of a hopeful thing. It was a very early stage where I was at when I said that I was hoping.

“One day. Maybe after this album comes out. I’m very influenced by her. She does something that I do. She doesn’t do too much with harmonies, and she keeps her vocals very clean. Single vocals. Haunting melodies. I’m influenced by her a lot. One day.”