Putting most of his issues with females aside, Drake puts his MC hat on and delivers his most complete project in the form of the highest level of “mixtape”. Relying on mostly Toronto bred talent to piece this one together. The 6 God  (his name not mine) wants to be taken seriously as a musician and not just a Hip-Hop artist or rapper. Similar to Nas, music influence from a father tends to create a need for crafting a piece of work that can appeal to timeless aspect. How does Drizzy do on this one?   We take a blow by blow deep dive in “The 6” on If Your Reading This It’s Too Late.

What did you think of the album? Let us know! cl@darundown.com

@DaRundownSports @CLTheMainEvent

Best Songs: “10 Bands’”,”Used To feat. Lil Wayne”, “You and The 6”,”6PM in New York”

Score 8/10

In 2 sentences:

Real music cohesion in action. The OVO Sound has officially made a footprint in the game.

Song Retention Rate: 52% Max 9/17 songs

(Percentage of songs that would appear in a playlist of some kind)

Overview

Whenever October’s Very Own drops any kind of tape I have to something I don’t usually have to do, which is wait a month or so before I can decide if I like some songs. Some of them stick out right away but others have to take time to sink in before they really appeal to me.

Drake’s “If You’re Reading this It’s Too Late” was labeled a mixtape to taper the expectations of the sound (shoutout Wesley Morris from Grantland).And essential this is what you have here is an official OVO mixtape. Whatever it is, it moved 535,000 units on the Billboard charts. You get more or of the signature Drake moments that you don’t get sometimes when he collaborates with other artist and producers. The better Drake features usually have 1 or 2 Canadian producers involved.

A full fledged Drake album would probably have some more non-Toronto based production. Boi-1da, 40, and PartyNextDoor do a majority of the heavy lifting on the production. The crew especially PND (who pulled a Kanye and sampled his own songs) are really, really big fans of Timbaland and the work he did with Ginuwine in particular.

Loaded with multiple of samples on the same song at times, it puts me in the mindset of A Tribe Called Quest project. Not in musical style, but that home cooked sound that come together like the spread on a Sunday dinner. Drake was labeled by the internet as “pulling a Beyonce” by do no prior announcement but the short film Jungle which preceded the launch of the album the same day. It’s different than the usual approach drop a music video and go from there. But once you take in all of the associated content there are two overarching themes:

 

1. The rebrand of Toronto as “The 6” is on and Drake is the king of this territory.

2. OVO Sound is on the way whether Cash Money/Young Money likes it or not.

 

This Drake project overall was success. By using the a familiar formula that was used on “So Far Gone”, the Toronto crew accomplished something significant again. Plenty of replay value, this feels like the prequel to a classic. With track list being 17 songs long it does feel like a mixtape where OVO is the star and Drake is the feature artist. The average mixtape has about a 30% song retention rate so the quality of music is on par with an album.

 

 Track By Track Breakdown

Sample citation credit: WhoSampled

Lyrics citation credit: Rap Genius

(Note: In a previous draft there were YouTube links to each song but they are getting serious about copyrights. Use the Spotify link above to listen.)

 

1. “Legend” produced by PartyNextDoor (4:02)

PartyNextDoor sets the stage with a sample from Ginuwine’s “So Anxious”. One of Timbaland’s top singles. (Shout out to Timbo for killing it every week on Fox’s Empire. I’m watching and he’s a big reason) With that classic sing rap style the Toronto native uses as his signature, he lets it be know that his spot in the rap game is solidified. On the chorus singing ” Oh my God, oh my God If I die, I’m a legend” couldn’t be self serving enough but you can sense of type of inspiration as you go through the album. It sets the tone that the point of this project that he is the one to hold it down for all of Toronto.

 

 

2. “Energy” Produced by Boi-1da (3:01)

Drake expressing himself as only he can. He delivers a strong hook as usual. Carrying the same ideology of the last song but in a more aggressive tone. He also takes time to show why he is this generation’s rapper with bars like “I got bitches askin’ me about the code for the wifi/ So they can talk about they timeline/ And show me pictures of they friends/ Just to tell me they ain’t really friends/”.

 “Drake is just that much more of an artist than just a rapper.”

 

3. “10 Bands” Produced by Boi-1da (2:57)

Another example which will become known as the OVO signature sound. Picking up where “0 to 100” left off, Drake brings out the 2015 mixtape Drake. You can tell toward the feel by the end of the song he was really feeling the energy in the room. I’ll also use this space to acknowledge the fact I have been a “Boi-1da” fan since I first heard “Uptown” on “So Far Gone”. I couldn’t get enough that beat and I feel the same way about this one. If you ever written rap lyrics on a serious basis, I could explain it as a beat that 90% of rappers could really rock with.

 

 

4. “Know Yourself” Produced by Boi-1da (4:35)

Song: Oddly enough the title conflicts with the new Drake staple used. Ever since the Versace remix verse Drake has occasionally used that Migos style/rhythm flow and taken it to a much more lyrical and musical level than they are capable of. Nothing negative about them but I just feel like Drake is just that much more of an artist than just a rapper. Adding the mix of audio content in the song, the final product is at supreme level. This team is on the same page like it was coached like Bill Belichick and a special shoutout goes to 40 who mixes a large majority of Drake’s music.

 

“He…even channels his inner Juvenile again for one verse.”

 

5. “No Tellin’” Produced by Boi-1da (5:10)

Boi-1da once again show his musical prowess by lacing another Drake signature moment. Putting you in the mind of “Wu-Tang Forever” when it initially hits. Then toward the end of the song you feel like Kanye stepped in for a hot minute. He comes off as an optimist in many situations and even channels his inner Juvenile again for one verse. This one is for the woes. Some pure Hip-Hop and lot less cut added than radio Hip-Hop.

 

 

6. “Madonna” Produced by 40 (2:57)

The OVO team continues their love for early Timbaland and Ginuwine work and double downs on another sample on “So Anxious”. This time with with 40 doing the homage. More of an interlude than full song, Drake tells his female companion on this song she could be as big a Madonna. Not sure who he was speaking to but he does a decent job getting his point across with lines like “I saw potential in you from the go, you know that I did I don’t know if you know, but I know who you are”

 

 

7. “6 God” – Produced by Boi-1da (3:00)

One of the what we now can be considered a single from the album. Another Boi-1da banger which came from a sample of a Donkey Kong theme. Drake letting everyone know who is the man in his city once again. Shutting down any naysayers about his status. This is mostly mixtape Drizzy with bars and bars quotables. I’m rocking with it.

 

 

8. “Star67” – Produced by Vinylz (4:55)

This the two different beat tracks that you can usually find on a Drake project. It explains the abnormal length compared to the rest of the project’s songs. It comes on with Weezy F. himself speaking on rappers that need a lot things in place to make a song and prefers the approach of going in ready to be inspired in the moment. If this was a scene in a movie it would be a stream of consciousness sequence. Going through several different memories that make one conclusion somehow. If you are a Drake supporter you won’t mind riding this one to the end.

 

“Wondagurl just made it on my “listen to everything that they have ever done” list after this beat.”

 

9. “Preach” feat. PartyNextDoor Produced by PartyNextDoor (3:57)

Ok so I heard Kanye speak on using autotune as a way to set less limits to watch you do musically. PartyNextDoor takes that same methodology whether you like it is up to you. Since Ron Brownz “The Ether Boy” released champagne producers are doing very uninhibited style with the autotune singing.

Then the 3 Degrees of Drake for the sample. This song features a sample from Henry Krinkles mostly instrumental song “Stay” which samples “Alicia Keys’ Un-thinkable” which wait for it…had Drake singing background vocals on it. Definitely could tell this was mixtape level track that featured more Playnextdoor than Drake. Way too much autotuning for my liking. Again more space for the producer to shine. Good if you’re into that type of thing.

 

 

10. “Wednesday Interlude” feat PartyNextDoor Produced by PartyNextDoor (3:32)

PartyNextDoor autotune singing about being lonely. Next song.

 

 

11. “Used To” feat. Lil Wayne produced by Wondagurl (4:28)

A prerequisite for any Drake disc, the Lil Wayne feature lands here. No disappointment here. Wondagurl just made it on my “listen to everything that they have ever done” list after this beat. Drake makes a super catchy hook that quickly bumped this song as one of my favorite tracks on the album. Lil Wayne does Lil Wayne things like telling chicks to perform “oral favors” for the newest smartphones. Maybe it’s the hook and the beat (smh) but it’s been added to wake up mix for the present time.

 

 

12. “6 Man” produced by 40 (2:47)

“Young but I’m making millions to work the night shift.”

Drake is known as a “Global Ambassador” of the NBA franchise the Toronto Raptors. He shows how much of an NBA fan he is by calling himself the 6 man like notable 6th man Lou Williams. Then saying he might have a temper tantrum and go “DeMarcus Cousins out in public”. Drizzy gets in his mode here again just show what he is capable. Good workout song but not really a standout.

 

Update: The Toronto Raptors used the song to help promote to media members to vote Lou WIlliams for NBA 6th Man of the Year.

 

13. “Now And Forever” produced by Eric Dingus (4:41)

Drake expresses his insecurities on this song. No real rapping on this song, just some lonely feeling that someone as popular as Drake shouldn’t be feeling. Many of Drake detractors will use this as an example of him being too soft. He references why he feel can do these type of songs later on. “A So Far Gone” type joint that most people will be taking out of rotation early on.

 

 

14. “Company” feat. Travis Scott (4:28)

Drake feeling the “Genuine” influence starts early on tell ol’ girl to hit him when her shift is over. Both artists on the song self identify themselves as “dogs” when it comes to dealing with women but still would love the company. Another mixtape caliber song. If you like Travi$ Scott then you can appreciate his contribution. Other than the Kanye style transitions used to bring in Mr. Scott, it just didn’t do it for me.

 

15. “You & The 6” produced by Boi-1da and 40 (4:12)

One of the highlights of the album. I’ll put this out now and say it. Drake will be Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar will be Nas of this generation. This song is the perfect example of Drake sounding like the modern day Hov. The introspective story telling that we have grown to love from both Hip-Hop zealots. Drizzy might have mentally sampled The Blueprint’s title track (Momma Loves Me). He thanks his mom and of course his city for raising him into what he is. He breaks down intimate conversations with moms and gives the “6 God” a more human side. He reminds of how technology has changed relationships in society, especially for someone as significant as Drake.

Starting off “…man, my life is a mess/ Ain’t been returning the texts/ so she been reading the press/ She got Google Alerts, them shits go straight to her phone/ She worry ’bout me from home/ you know she raised me alone/

Again Drake telling his critques he’s not worried about being black or tough enough. At the end of the day is the music good? In this case, yes. Boi-1da and 40 keep that maple syrup sound dripping in your ear holes. Excellent song.

 

 

16. “Jungle” produced by 40 (5:21)

If you digest the lyrics of this song it reads more like the a 2015 “Love Jones” scene. We know what Drake is about. Still figuring himself out and looking back for the right love because what in his presence isn’t working for him. It shares the same title as the short film but don’t be surprised if this song makes a movie soundtrack in the next year or so.

 

 

17. “6PM In New York” produced by Boi-1da (4:43)

Shots fired! Drake comes to the finale of the album with a bang. Dropping gems left and right that confirm he is in the Top 3% of rappers out. He takes some quick jabs at his label mate Tyga and pretty much sons him ever so eloquently:
“I heard a little little homie talking reckless in Vibe/ That’s quite a platform you chose, you should’ve kept it inside? Oh, you tried?/ It’s so childish calling my name on the world stage/ You need to act your age and not your girl’s age/”

The track somehow seems to bring his career full circle. With usually 40 style mix you feel the So Far Gone spirit. Drake dropping nothing but bars was his signature early on and why so many rap fans grew to love what he does. So all you “he went commercial on us” guys this is for you.

Disagree with me? Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or even better hit me @CLTheMainEvent on Twitter!