Released - 6/15/10
Label - Young Money Entertainment
BLURB - Well, it finally came. The much anticipated full length debut from the supposed savior of hip hop...Drake. After guesting on a slew of tracks with everyone from Timbaland to Kanye West, releasing a couple EP's and an almost full album ("So Far Gone"), the public has finally gotten what it's asked for in "Thank Me Later," Drake's first full length record. But have we prematurely anointed Drake as the king of hip hop? The short answer to that question is yes, but damn he can make some killer tracks.
Rating - 5.5 out of 10
FULL STORY - I heard a great analogy the other day that made absolute perfect sense. So much sense that I wouldn't be surprised if I saw it on a SAT test next year.
Drake is to LeBron James as Kanye West is to Kobe Bryant.
Drake is supposed to be the new superstar. He's the guy everyone is betting on. He's the guy that is supposed to change the game. He's supposed to be the champion. Unfortunately, there are a lot of 'supposed-to's' in there. Drake's dropped some insane verses with Eminem and L'il Wayne. He's got a flow and style that oozes with charisma and arrogance. But at this point in his young career he's still yet to reach his potential and there are some whispers that he's never going to completely get there.
Take LeBron james, the NBA's heir-apparent to Michael Jordan. He was supposed to be the greatest and the new face of a generation. But to this day, LeBron still hasn't delivered on his potential and has yet to win a title. Sure he has had some crazy windmill dunks, and once a month he'll take over a game and score 50...but he's yet to reach the promised land. Why is this? In my opinion, LeBron lacks the competitive nature and DNA to be the best. He moved to the Miami Heat to hang out with his friends, when he had the chance to resurrect the Cavs. Hell, he took them to the NBA finals and was surrounded by terrible players! But LeBron became too busy trying to address questions, predictions and expectations and trying to be likable, rather than just playing. And I think that's gotten the best of him. Sound familiar Drake?
Now take Kobe Bryant. He is the NBA's best player. He's won five NBA titles, yet nearly everyone hates him. He's the Kanye West of basketball. Both are concerned with nothing besides themselves, their legacy and being the best. They will both go down in history as the greatest of their times. They don't do what they do because they want to make people happy...they do it because they want to be the best. This is what separates the Kanyes from the Drakes.
Sure, Drake has hit potential. Just listen to 'Find Your Love.' To this day that song continues to grow on me. When the beat first drops it sounds like a reggae-ton track, but then the instrumentation and vocals come in and you realize what a superb half-ballad, half hip-hop track it is. This is the windmill dunk.
And who can forget 'Over?' That was the song of the summer (in my opinion). The music itself was amazing - I mean...the strings, the crazy percussive variations, and let's not forget, Drake just sounds incredible on this song. The swagger and confidence are actually backed up by a credible display of versatile vocals and memorable hooks. This is the 50 point game.
'Miss Me' is filled with fun and excitement There is a true, laid-back party atmosphere on here that is nothing short of captivating. The verses are creative, yet not cheesy. The beats are simple, but not boring. In short, the song is something everyone can enjoy. This is the first time LeBron took Cleveland to the playoffs.
But after these three tracks, the album is lacking on all fronts. Much of the music is stagnant and bland. The vocals are often tired and uninspired. Numerous collaborations that you think would work brilliantly, fall on their face (Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, The-Dream). I find myself skipping all over this record always thinking I'm going to find something great, but more times than not, I'm disappointed. The album is good, but I'm sorry to say it, and Drake, were supposed to be great. And they're not.
Tracks
1.) Fireworks
2.) Karaoke
3.) The Resistance
4.) Over
5.) Show Me a Good Time
6.) Up All Night
7.) Fancy
8.) Shut It Down
9.) Unforgettable
10.) Light Up
11.) Miss Me
12.) Cece's Interlude
13.) Find Your Love
14.) Thank Me Now
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