Drake X Thank Me Later X Review
After spending his first years in the spotlight as a member of the cast of Degrassi, Drake didn’t seem like a likely candidate to become a hip-hop star. Thanks to a slew of successful impressive mixtapes and a partnership with the inimitable Lil Wayne, Drake was able to defy skeptics and create a massive buzz for his solo debut “Thank Me Later”. Not since “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” had a debut rap album been this anticipated and thankfully (pun intended) “Thank Me Later” was a stellar first outing.
While most hip-hop artists nowadays strive for just a hit single or two from their albums, Drake has created a true rarity- an album you play from start to finish without the temptation of ever hitting skip. When listened to as a whole, the sonic journey is epic and rewarding of repeat listens. Ja Rule fell into obscurity after been chastised for singing and rapping (and thanks to a barrage of verbal attacks from 50 Cent), but Drake excels at combining the two skills. A key reason as to why this works for Drake- because he can actually sing! The album goes back and forth between R&B songs and hip-hop lyrical showcases without sounding uneven in the slightest.
Fellow Canadians Boi-1da and 40 provide incredible production for their hometown hero to flow over, with seasoned vets Swizz Beatz and Kanye contributing beats as well. Having numerous collaborations on a rap album can tend to make it seem over-crowded or distract with sub-par verses when an artist is this talented, but not here. All guests bring their A-game! T.I., Jay-Z, Lil Wanye and Young Jeezy deliver some of their best verses this year and Alicia Keys’ cameo on the song Fireworks proves yet again how incredibly talented she is.
Deciding on what song I was going to grant the title of being “The Best Track” was a tough call, but I’d have to say “Light Up” takes the cake! Jay-Z shows up to provide Drake with advice on the music business from his years of experience and warns him of the pitfalls he’ll face now that he’s on top of the charts. Drake and Jay-Z first joined forces on “Off That” from “The Blueprint 3″ last Fall, but this reunion blows that song out of the water! Despite being the newcomer, Drake never seems out of his league next to Jay and their verses are potent examples of top-notch lyricism (a virtually extinct medium in popular hip-hop music). If you’re in the market for a quality album that you can both nod your head to and chill to, buy “Thank Me Later”! A-
-CMC
You’re welcome!
