By: Rashidah Zhussanbay
Drake: hip-hop’s pretty boy who we all know and secretly love. Since his blow up in 2008 with “So Far Gone,” we have witnessed quite an evolution. Drake’s music has taken a long winding path to get where it is now. Starting with his dirty south slow jams, to progressively creating his own sound with the help of in-house producer Noah “40” Shebib, Drake’s most recent release, “What a Time To Be Alive,” in collaboration with Atlanta rapper Future, truly showcases the journey he has made through the music industry.
The duo opens the mix tape with “Digital Dash,” a song filled with synths, fast snares and heavy bass, all of which set the tone for the whole playlist. Drake shows a familiar side as he touches on his solitude as an artist in the rap game. Six years ago, the “6 God” would have generally made his lyrical focus on love affairs, as heard in “Best I Ever Had” and “Find Your Love,” two of his first singles.
His 2011 “Take Care” album was the last commercial release to focus on relationships and heartbreak, as the following, “Nothing Was The Same,” was a complete shift in what his audience expected. “NWTS” was the first album to show a change in Drake’s sound, moving the lyrical content from girls, honesty, and personal issues to the pursuit of money and self fulfillment. Considering that after 40 produced “Take Care,” he became less prominent in Drake’s music, the change in sound was inevitable. But Drizzy’s shift was also a result of his maturity in the industry, which can be seen in his view of other A-list rappers and personal attachment to his music.
After “NWTS,” Drake’s inflated ego was shown in his new persona as the “6 God,” and his need to flex was never greater. Even in one of the more low-key songs, “Now and Forever,” from the last commercially released mix tape, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” Drake asserts his position as a loner who can take care of himself, no matter what situation.
“30 for 30 Freestyle,” which is definitely not a freestyle brings Drake back to his roots, having 40 as the sole producer. With his lengthy bars, and muted beats, similar to many tracks off “Take Care,” Drake ties in his new state of mind as he reflects on his evolution as both an artist, and a man.
The beauty in music is that regardless of the lyrics or the artist’s personal emotions, listeners have their own interpretation. “The game” itself is always up for grabs. Drake’s evolution shows the power of fame, money, the music he makes, and its ability to mature a man into self-awareness.