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Drake: If You're Reading This It's Too Late "Mixtape" Review
Drake released the 17-song mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late on February 12, 2015, "Beyoncé-Style" as an album with no prior announcement onto iTunes. The mixtape/album hybrid has already done well commercially and if that continues, dropping surprise albums could become the norm for many artists. If the title of the mixtape is any indication, it appears that Drizzy season has now commenced, whether we were ready for it, or not.
The mixtape continues a recent trend of experimental hip-hop that is at the forefront of the industry right now and the production is definitely worthy of the title of "album." Coming on the heels of what was a weak past year for hip-hop, Drake ushers in a revival of the blighted genre. Considering the exploratory albums recently dropped by Joey Bada$$ and Lupe Fiasco, 2015 is already shaping up to promise far more creative releases by top rap artists.
Drake's mixtape closely resembles his previous album Nothing Was the Same, but with a more up-tempo sound and even more presumptuous Drake. This is evident from the first song on the mixtape, "Legend" which is about as boastful as a rapper can get who already has three number-one albums under his belt -- "Oh my god, oh my god/ If I die, I’m a legend."
Drake displays a wide array of emotions, as usual, ranging from the moody track "Energy," to the ASAP Mob-esque eerie "Madonna," to the downright depressing "Now & Forever." However, Drake is at his best form lyrically on the tracks that stand out as arrogant "champagne-popping" anthems.
The previously released track "6God" is the hardest, most aggressive track on the mixtape. He raps -- "I'll admit it, I'll admit it/ You haven't been the man for like a minute/ I told you that I'm in it for the long haul/ You can really get the business." On "6PM In New York", he takes shots at old girls, doubters and even label mates -- "You need to act your age and not your girl’s age" – directed at Tyga and his relationship with 17-year-old reality television star Kylie Jenner.
There is just enough variety in the beat changes on tracks to keep the album sounding fresh but as a whole, the mixtape blends together as though it could be one continuous song. Drake masterfully changes his rhythm on tracks as he will crack a series of witty punch lines, "Migos-style," before launching into a machine gun tirade of biting lyrics.
Despite Drake's shameless brazenness, it's the tracks where he takes a back seat to frequent collaborator PARTYNEXTDOOR that are my favorite. The Canadian R&B artist assists on the tracks "Preach" and "Wednesday Night Interlude" providing vocals that are an intriguing composite between the grittiness of Chief Keef and the harmony of The Weekend. The two tracks provide a good transition into the softer back end of the mixtape.
It's unclear if this mixtape is supposed to serve as a bridge to his previously announced album Views From the 6 or replace it. As his current label situation is murky at the moment, this mixtape may serve as his final "album" released under Young Money. If that is the case, then Drake will certainty carry a lot of momentum with him to his next label. Note to Young Money CEO Birdman -- If You're Reading This It's Too Late.
This is my second annual most anticipated albums of the year list. While there were a handful of great albums released in 2014 (see here, and here, and here) overall the output was lackluster, as many big name artists had their albums pushed back. Here are the albums I am most curious about in 2015.
10. Joey Bada$$, B4.Da.$$
It's been three years and three mixtapes, yet we're still waiting for the debut album by the 19-year-old phenom. The wait may soon be over as B4.Da.$$ is scheduled for release in late January. The talented rapper from Brooklyn, New York has an old school delivery that new listeners may not be accustomed to in today's trap heavy hip hop genre. It will be interesting to see if he can create an album that will appeal to the masses, yet not alienate his core fan base.
9. Drake, Views From the 6
Last July, Drake announced that the name of his fourth album would be Views From the 6. The "6" refers to the area codes of his hometown -- Toronto, Ontario which are 416 and 647. While already a legendary Internet meme, it remains to be seen if Drake can remain as prolific in the music industry as he is on the Web. Drake didn't need to release much new music in 2014 as he was still riding the success of his brilliant last album, Nothing Was the Same. With one of his rivals, Kendrick Lamar, also set to put out new material this year, Drake better continue to meet his high expectations.
8. Fergie, TBD
The female lead of the Black Eyed Peas hasn't released a solo album since 2006, yet she is in the process of writing her second studio album. Producer Mike Will Made It has logged some studio time with the "fergalicious" star which, these days, seems to be the gateway to an automatic rise up the pop charts. If her last album, The Dutchess, is any indication, Fergie should have no problem cranking out radio hits. The challenge will be to create a cohesive album with more depth, rather than filler in between the singles.
7. Lupe Fiasco, Tetsuo and Youth
Lupe Fiasco has been teasing us with Tetsuo and Youth for almost two years now, releasing a slew of songs that he later revealed would not be included on the track list. The album has finally been slated for release in late January and we know that it will feature appearances by Big K.R.I.T. and Rick Ross, among others. Although a champion of the conscious hip hop movement, Lupe must straddle the line between making music that focuses on social issues, and making music that will be well received by the mainstream -- no easy feat. If he can pull off the balancing act on his fifth studio album, he will cement his legacy among the great lyricists of his time.
6. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon III
In February of last year, with only a few hours notice from Cudi, he released Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon. The album is supposed to serve as a prelude to the next installment of his Man on the Moon series, which is due for release in 2015. Satellite Flight represents a transition from some of his earlier work with Cudi crooning, rather than rapping most of his verses. The increased emphasis on melodies as opposed to lyricism means that Cudi needs to make sure the production of his new release is flawless, or else the album will flop.
5. Chance the Rapper, Surf
Chance blew up in 2013 following the release if his second mixtape, Acid Rap, before settling into a relatively quiet 2014. However, he did release a few tracks with his house band, The Social Experiment, which were met with mixed reviews. He is still an immensely talented MC with a unique sound, so it's fair if some of his experiments fall just short of expectations. Let's hope he doesn't succumb to the pressure and helps the Social Experiment deliver a banger of an album in 2015.
4. Frank Ocean, TBD
The often elusive R&B artist has released few musical offerings since his famed 2012 debut album Channel Orange. He has announced that he has started work on his second studio album, which he confirmed would be another concept album. Tyler, the Creator; Pharrell Williams and Danger Mouse were all revealed to be collaborators. After a strong debut, Ocean will try to keep the momentum going and continue to change the perception of modern soul music.
3. Rihanna, TBD
After releasing an album per year between 2009 and 2012, three years feels like along wait for Rihanna's next studio album to drop. DJ Mustard and David Guetta are just two of the enlisted producers on the follow up to Unapologetic. In recent years, she has made more headlines for her Instagram posts rather than her music, so it will be a refreshing change of pace when attention is returned to what she does best -- which is sing.
2. Kendrick Lamar, TBD
Many expected an album from K-Dot in the fall of 2014, as he stated during an Interview with Billboard. Instead, all we got was "I", the lukewarm, radio-friendly single that many fear will lead to a watering down of his music after his critically acclaimed 2012 album; Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Personally, I believe that Kendrick Lamar remains as hungry as ever after getting snubbed at the Grammy Awards last year. If his verse on Big Sean's, "Control" is to be believed, we shouldn't expect anything less prolific, even if he has a slightly more commercial mindset.
1. Kanye West, TBD
The polarizing recording artist, otherwise know as "Yeezy," is working on his seventh studio album and allegedly performed the album for Seth Rogan in a Limo back in December. Only Rogan knows for sure what to expect on the follow up to Yeezus, but Kanye did release a single, "Only One," featuring Paul McCartney at the end of 2014 and at least one other Paul McCartney collaboration is on the way. There is no doubt in my mind that Kanye's next album will be as fantastic as all of his others. I only wonder what hijinks he will pull to make headlines leading up to its release.
By: Hal Dockins
Photo credits to consequenceofsound.wordpress.com and billboard.com
The Black body, more so of women, have stood on the opposite side of the narrow Eurocentric standards of beauty. Black hairstyles have defiantly rebelled against and even when straightened added creative magic of Blackness and Boldness.
Black hair, whether relaxed or natural, locked or shaven is beautiful. Black women are beautiful.
"In the event of my demise I won't go kicking and screaming/ I know that God has a reason, just don't give up believing." - Big K.R.I.T.
I was a bit surprised when I heard that southern rapper Big K.R.I.T had declared himself the "King of The South" on his sophomore album Cadillactica, released November 11, 2014. Sure he had a slew of successful mixtapes, starting with K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, followed by the renowned Return of 4eva, firmly cementing his place as an underground legend. Still, that title seemed more fitting applied to a big name artist like Lil Wayne or T.I., not a largely up-and-coming artist with only a couple full albums under his belt. However, after a few listens to his follow up to Live from the Underground, true to his word, K.R.I.T. emerges as the undisputed king. Cadillactica represents a stark change from his pervious works as K.R.I.T. hands off much of the production duties to others, favoring horns and pianos over thumping bass on many tracks. The result is a pleasing melody of different sounds with a space-inspired concept, similar to some of the earlier albums by Outkast.
K.R.I.T.'s own acclaim for his album becomes apparent from the first track, "Kreation," which compares the creation of the album to the creation and maturation of a child -- "And let us not pretend that we ain't made in God's images/ Let's make good on promises and be perfect." The cohesion of the album and his improvements as a lyricist, especially in the development of his hooks -- which are not as loud and repetitive as in the past -- are why he flirts with perfection on the near flawless album. In large part, the space-themed album art is fitting, as K.R.I.T. comes off as being a more lyrical Kid Cudi. However, the album is not without its familiarities, such as the third instalment of the "My Sub" series in which he boasts about the stereo system in his truck. On the whole, the album is more about K.R.I.T.'s progression as an artist as he delivers on his promise to claim the throne of best southern rapper.
Tracks like "Cadillactica" and "Mt. Olympus" highlight his improvements as a lyricist as he spits rapid-fire lines in a manner that would make Kendrick Lamar jealous. On the reprise of Mt. Olympus, he barks -- “King
of every castle, how you signin' rappers?/ All these labels must be givin' out a raffle/ Wranglin' like cattle, keep a nigga shackled/ Leavin' people baffled” -- over a different beat from the original. Even with such clever wordplay, it's K.R.I.T.'s thoughtful narrative that helps make the album shine.
On "Soul Food," K.R.I.T., with the help of Raphael Saadiq, juxtaposes the lust and materialism of today's society with a bad meal and longs for the wholesomeness of his upbringing. On "Saturdays = Celebration," one of the best tracks on the album, K.R.I.T. gets in touch with his spiritual roots; a familiar contemplation of his for those who have listened to his previous works -- "In the event of my demise I won't go kicking and screaming/ I know that God has a reason, just don't give up believing." Even when proud and accomplished, he still has a dose of humility to balance out his ego.
The self-proclaimed "king" shows his range as an artist, providing soulful introspection on radio ready tracks like "Pay Attention" featuring Rico Love, and "Mind Control" with E-40 and Wiz Khalifa. Yet he easily returns to his gritty underground roots on tracks like, "King of The South." The result is a perfect balance of flexing his muscles in the mainstream and not alienating his core fan base who he came up with. The harmony and cohesion between so many different sounds is what makes the album so special.
Cadillactica is a masterfully created blend of experimental sounds and blistering dirty south rap. The album showcases his transformation as an lyricist and his growth as an artist. When asked in an interview with XXL magazine about the production of the album, K.R.I.T. stated that his objective was to create the best music possible. On Cadillactica, he almost achieves that lofty goal.
