{"id":2601,"date":"2015-03-22T16:08:21","date_gmt":"2015-03-22T21:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=2601"},"modified":"2015-03-22T16:08:21","modified_gmt":"2015-03-22T21:08:21","slug":"drakes-new-album-tells-it-like-it-is","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=2601","title":{"rendered":"Drake’s new album tells it like it is"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted March 22, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By ALEXANDRA KLUMPP<\/p>\n

When I read the title of Drake\u2019s \u201cIf You\u2019re Reading This It\u2019s Too Late,\u201d I did not like it. Such a long album title. And I didn\u2019t get it.<\/p>\n

But after listening, it makes sense. Drake is currently in the midst of a conflict with Birdman, the man behind Cash Money Records. Cash Money Records has been home to Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Tyga and, of course, Drake. But Lil Wayne has filed a lawsuit against Birdman and both him and Drake are trying to leave the label.<\/p>\n

This album, which Drake has established is a mixtape, was released unannounced and has since been compared to the album Beyonc\u00e9 released unannounced last year.<\/p>\n

But this album wasn\u2019t meant to be a surprise album for the public (though a pleasant surprise it was for us anyway). It ends the four-album requirement Drake owes Cash Money Records, thus completing his contract obligations.<\/p>\n

So the title of the album is meant for Birdman. But Aubrey \u201cDrake\u201d Graham is letting the public know too. With a title like that, how can we not be curious?<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s letting us know about a lot more than just this conflict.<\/p>\n

The songs are revealing, in true Drake fashion. He\u2019s given us another album, like his 2011 \u201cTake Care,\u201d exposing his struggles.<\/p>\n

Lyrically, Drake has done it again — tearing at our heartstrings. There are a few songs that are on the more upbeat side, like \u201cEnergy,\u201d but this album is even less playful than his last album, \u201cNothing was the Same.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of the album is his usual slow haze, but this sound works coupled with his introspective lyrics. And the quality is as good as always. You know what they say — if it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it.<\/p>\n

And it ain\u2019t broke. Drake receives criticism in the hip-hop world for having been a well-off child actor, as he portrayed Jimmy Brooks on TeenNick\u2019s \u201cDegrassi: The Next Generation.\u201d He was also raised in a nice neighborhood called Forest Hill — one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Toronto \u2013 contrary to most in the business.<\/p>\n

But he doesn\u2019t try to be anything he\u2019s not.<\/p>\n

In his song, \u201cYou & The 6,\u201d Drake addresses the criticism — not angrily but truthfully: \u201cI used to get teased for being black. And now I\u2019m here and I\u2019m not black enough. Cause I\u2019m not acting tough or making stories up about where I\u2019m actually from.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this track, he exposes a little of family life, too — of growing up in Toronto and his familial relationships. The song is addressed to his mother, who raised Drake alone after divorcing his father when he was 5 years old. From previous songs, like \u201cLook What You\u2019ve Done\u201d on the \u201cTake Care\u201d album, we know Drake\u2019s father wasn\u2019t always around, having moved to Memphis after the divorce and been put in jail twice. But Drake tells his mother, and us, he has no hard feelings: \u201cHe made mistakes throughout his life that he still doesn\u2019t accept. But he just wants our forgiveness, and f**k it, look how we living. I\u2019m content with this story, who are we not to forgive him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drake wouldn\u2019t be the rapper he was if he didn\u2019t have the upbringing he did. He brings a level of educated artistry and profound self-awareness to a genre too reliant on hard beats and vulgar lyrics.<\/p>\n

I recommend giving the album a listen with friends. It\u2019s not the kind of album you want to hear on your way to a party. But it\u2019s just right when you\u2019re hanging out on a couch with close friends and a few beers.<\/p>\n

The album, which features artists Lil Wayne, Travi$ Scott and PartyNextDoor, requires a close listen. It\u2019ll have you saying \u201cawww\u201d and \u201cooooh BURN\u201d a lot. It\u2019s an album with the ability to evoke various emotions, which is something to commend.<\/p>\n

Look at the brightside Drake, at least Birdman led you to create this album.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited to see what the flexibility of leaving Cash Money Records will bring out in Drake creatively.<\/p>\n