Drake-So Far Gone

So children, to review.

Fall-T.I.

Winter- Jay-Z

Spring- Kanye West

Summer- Lil Wayne

That's the natural order, and It works. Alas, there may be a new rapper out there to fill in the cracks in time, and his name is Drake. Just as I have my seasonal rappers, they all have their own unique aspect that appeals to me. T.I. has got this ferocity to his music, like a bomb that could explode at the slightest insult. Jay-Z is like the Mother Willow. He has the most creative metaphors and vivid imagery than any one in "the game", and he has the aura that he knows what he and the rest of the rap world is doing. Kanye has the ego, but he is monster in the production room. He knows a good sound when he hears it. Lil Wayne has the swagger. He is just cool. He makes some hot music, that naturally fits with the summer heat. Thankfully, Drake isn't competing for a seasonal spot. Drake is music i can listen to at night, during anytime of the year.

Drake started his climb to fame playing little Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, a show next to no one watched on stations like Noggin, and Discovery Kid. I have seen one episode with him, and he was a basketball star to be that was shot in a Columbine-esque school shooting, and found his love for comic art. Compelling stuff here. Anywho, the Ontario released some mix-tapes ehy, and was featured as one of the coveted "Joints of the Week" on BET's 106th & Park, a spot previously held by greats such as Elvis, Sinatra, and Tom Waits. The song got the man some hype and started popping up on all sorts of mix-tapes and singles with the likes of Yeezy, Weezy, and Jay-Zeezy which propelled him into fame quicker than Mr. Pants on the Ground. Drake got two Grammy nominations for his hit single "Best I Ever Had", which is from the EP So Far Gone released on Universal Motown, which is from Drakes mixtape with the same name.

Also, the collaboration "Forever" with Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, is awesome.

Drake pulls a lot of inspiration from the cool sultry sounds of Marvin Gaye, and updates them for todays marketability. That's not to say that he would have it any other way (he does love his sleazy lyrics), it just happens to be what the rap scene is mostly about today. The high aspiring "Successful" shows what Drake is, unmasked, even if it is not intended. " I want the money, money and the cars, cars and the clothes, the hoes. I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful." What sticks this track out from other greed anthems is the glimmer of depression that is only felt through the music.

The real kicker for the mix-tape is its unconventional use of sounds that might not be anywhere near a rap album. Drake is an open supporter of Grizzly Bear, and has been spotted at several other "indie" bands. "Unstoppable" features super awesome/crazy Santo Gold, who adds her trip hop vocals to the track, which you won't hear in the most obscure rap albums. The song I would like to think is the standout track "Say Whats Real" consists of no more than Drake, a church choir, and blips and bleeps in time with the music, which allows Drake to be the only thing to show off, and he raps sooooo well on this. Not many rap songs hook me with lyrics alone, but that's all there is to hook you with. Plus, there is a weird genius in the backing choir, with its dark ominous droning, and the split second of a major chord, like the silver lining. "Lets Call It Off" is the most unusual song, as it is essentially an echoey 80's track, very similar to Flock of Seagulls. Tinny guitars, roving bass beats, and a singer who is channelling everything 80's singing ever was make the song the most non-rap/rap song I've ever heard. I know I like a song, when it takes me twenty minutes to find the words to explain it.

Going back to the smooth sounds, there is not a single song that doesn't have a smoky sultry atmosphere. "Lust For Life", "Houstalantavegas", "A Night Off", "The Calm", and "Brand New" all have the same ethereal sphere surrounding the sweeping voices, but every song brings something new to the table. I have designated this mix-tape to be heard best when listened to around 12-2 in the morning. Yea, I know its weird, but trust me. It is a late night, wind-down cd. Frank Sinatra put out a record that went the same way. "In The Wee Small Hours" is the best late-night album ever, but Drake is pushing Old Blue Eyes around for the spot. From the looks of it Drake's going to be pushing things around for a long time to come.