[2][3][4] The song, produced by Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, and Noah "40" Shebib, first premiered on Drake's blog October's Very Own on July 31, 2011,[5] and was sent to all radio formats in the US on August 9, 2011.

"[8] Drake told MTV News in early September that "Headlines" was the perfect tune to launch the project: "I think it's great; the purpose of that record was solely to deliver a message", he said.

[10] On October 15, Drake made his Saturday Night Live debut in an episode hosted by Anna Faris and was set to perform "Headlines" as the musical guest of the week.

Tower, going up, allowing few symbolic interpretations in relation to Drake's ascension to fame, the main topic of the song; at the head of a dining table, puffing on a cigar, Drake being dressed with an unprecedented retro as well as geeky style, with a knitted jumper and vintage half-tainted glasses; and most notably in front of Toronto's historic Guild Park, surrounded by his crew.

"[13] Consequence of Sound commented by saying "if you want to smoke cigars while riding elevators and have posse meetups outside local monuments, Drake can show you the ropes.

Spin also called the production matching "Drake's defiant tone with a martial beat and heavy staccato strings.

"[16] The Baltimore Sun said the song has "buoyant, staccato synth line and Casio snares" and that "The beat calls for such a sing-song flow that few rappers could tackle it.

"[17] Rolling Stone gave the song three stars out of five, saying that "The spare beat never takes off, and the hook is a slight thing, almost an afterthought – or maybe the clearest sign that even with booze, cynics and fame buzzing about, hip-hop's great hope isn’t overeager to please.

[21] The single was eventually certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over four million digital copies in the United States.