Polarizing artist Drake dropped his new album “For all the dogs” back in October leaving many to question what his musical legacy will be. As a person that loves hip hop I have not always been a fan. From over saturated songs to trashy lyrics all while trying to stay relevant; Drake’s music is only moving away from what made it so enjoyable.
Since 2010, Drake has been captivating listeners with his mix of R&B style vocals accompanied with lyrical performances. Every album released since then has contained certified bangers.
Albums like his first studio album, “Thank Me Later,” which had songs like Over, Find your love, and Miss Me. He continued with 2011’s “Take Care,” which contained Marvins Room, Headlines, Make Me Proud, and title track Take Care.
Release after release contains music that has captured the airwaves for countless years, but a misstep was inevitable. Like all artists it becomes difficult to capture the same magic you had at the beginning of your career.
In October of this year, after the release of “Her Loss,” he began his rollout for his next album. At this time he told his fans that the “old Drake is back.” Unfortunately, he lied. From what was published it is clear that he has once again let listeners down as an artist.
The album runs a whopping one hour and twenty-four minutes long. There are other thirty minute albums that are better quality than this. The album is very repetitive and is a drag to sit through.
My personal analysis is that the album has good songs but the majority are bad. The album overall just feels like a bunch of singles instead of one cohesive project.
For example, the song “6 am in Charlotte ” is a nice song. However, Drake does not rap with the same passion as he used to. The song consists of a sample chop with a simple drum pattern. Drake embodies his O.G position in the rap game with a great lyrical performance.
As you get deeper into the album, you come across songs like, “Rich Baby Daddy” which features “SZA” and “Sexyy Red.” The song sounds like any other Jersey Club influenced beat and Sexyy Red delivers to her fans with a catchy verse that is a highlight of the song. Hearing SZA vocals on this track is a relief after the less than stellar Sexyy Red verse.
Considering Drake’s fame, it is hard for some to notice he has not really grown as an artist. Other creators from the same time period as him have either grown or faded away. He is the only one that seems to stay “relevant.”
He put his twists on trending sounds of that time while also collaborating with artists in and out of Hip-Hop with his own style.
There are great collaborations on the album, however it more so consists of more Drake singing than rapping. As an avid hip hop listener, I expected more rapping than singing. He is a rapper after all.
All in all Drake, for at least the past two years, has been putting out mediocre and forgettable albums.
Maybe if we were to let him know he needs to rise to the challenge rather than just taking whatever he gives us, maybe he will reply with the quality we have once known him for. Drizzy has to be buried in there somewhere.
