Drake's highly anticipated sophmore album Take Care hit stores November 15th. So of course I had to download it and give it a listen, I've only been waiting for Take Care to drop since June.
I threw on the Dre Beats and cranked the volume up as soon as it stopped downloading, I haven't stopped listening. This album is ranks near the top of 2011. An artist typically drops a sophomore album that gets away from what they originally sounded like and fans seem to tune out. However, Take Care might be the best work yet from the Young Money co-captain Drake.
What I respect most about Drake is that he didn't really care that his album leaked. The way he reacted to it leaking made it seem like he knew people were going to go buy the album anyways. It also seemed as if he was relieved, like a huge monkey was finally off his back. Drake took to Twitter to comment on it and had this to say.
The music speaks for itself on this one. It has the classic Drake hooks and the lines that will make you think. Of course he talks about money and the lavish lifestyle a young millionaire lives. He raps about hooking up all his friends that have been there since the beginning and always believed in him.
The reason I love this album and the reason why I will always listen to Drake even though naysayers say he is the softest in the hip-hop game right now, which might be true, is because he raps about getting hurt. Yeah I know rap songs are suppose to be about money, fame and women but the dawn of a new era has come to hip-hop. Even though this may sound really soft I like listening to songs about not always getting what you want and meeting the wrong women who hurt you all the time. I know everyone can relate to getting hurt by the opposite sex and being down on life.
Let's get to the songs on the album. My favorite songs so far are Crew Love, Take Care and Lord Knows. Crew Love features Drakes best buddy at the moment The Weeknd. Two guys who have merged their own tag-lines to create OVOXO. Whenever they are on a track together you know it's going to be a hit. Take Care features the bombshell Rihanna, which surprised me she was on the album after what allegedly happened between them two. It's also surprising because this song is about two people who have been hurt and promise to be there for each other. Ricky Rozay makes an appearance on Lord Knows and as usual he kills it. The two also plan to drop a collaboration in the future called Y.O.L.O. (You Only Live Once).
Drake is unlike many other rappers out right now. Whenever he features on a song or provides a hook you know that song will hit the radio waves and your iPod's eventually. You can love Drake, you can hate Drake but there is no denying he puts out well produced and well written music. He'll never be the guy you listen to if you want to get pumped up, with the exception of some songs.
Drake makes sure he is putting the best product out for his fans and never wants to disappoint. So go out and buy Take Care. Not many artists put as much effort into the production of an album as much as Drake does.
Album Rating: 9.5 out of 10
