Depending on who you are, Drake could be an enormous modern hip-hop influence, superficial about his roots, or someone who doesn’t cross your mind at all. Regardless, people all over the world are streaming his music all day and night, hence why his new album, Scorpion, spent four weeks at number one on the top 200 Billboard charts, making it the album with the most weeks at the top thus far in 2018.
Upon listening to the album the first time around, I didn’t think much. I thought it was simple, unimaginative, and quite dull. The only songs that struck me were Nonstop (the obvious heavy bass rap hit) and Mob Ties (the classic dance party track). I found some interest in 8 out of 10 and In My Feelings as well, but nothing really worth raving about.
Of course, I grew to enjoy the album. Listening through it multiple times, I found it to be fun, easy, and varied enough in sound to keep me engaged throughout the whole thing. My main issue with the album once I dove in, was: why the hell does it have to be 25 songs? Did he really want to release all of these because he thought they were great quality, or did he just want to release 25 songs to get ALL of them on the top charts? After all, more tracks = more streams = higher chart placement. Was that necessary? Some of my friends argue that it’s impressive, but I just find it a little bit excessive, especially when I only found a unique, interesting sound in a handful of the tracks.
This album is also a bit of a “scene-causer” because of how statement-oriented it is. First, the statement Drake released on streaming platforms stating every bit of “hate” he gets from people.
This list is his way of saying, “I know you’ve heard these things before, but here you are listening to my entire album.” It’s funny! It makes him seem almost more vulnerable, yet all the more arrogant at the same time. It’s even funnier that these things are entirely accurate to what so many people who listen to his music think.
Lastly, we need to address the mention of his child whom he never spoke about before Pusha-T called him out on his recent diss-track. Drake starts off by responding solemnly saying, “I wasn’t hiding my kid from the world/I was hiding the world from my kid,” on Emotionless, mostly in response to Pusha-T’s jab, “you are hiding a child, let that boy come home.” He then goes on to mention his son briefly in Mob Ties when he says “I’m not with the ra-ra/I am a dada,” he makes one more statement in Finesse (“I want my baby to have your eyes”) and finally concludes the saga in “March 14,” ambiguously named as the potential date he found out about his son. Here, he expresses remorse for not playing a larger role in his son’s life and aims to be better. Though he does say he’s only met the boy once, he wants to make sure he doesn’t turn out to be a “deadbeat father.”
Overall, the album caused a stir for multiple reasons and makes Drake an even larger epicenter of pop culture than ever before. I’d say it’s worth it to listen through the whole thing as it does vary in sound, levels, and style, but I can’t say I’m as impressed as I had hoped in terms of timeless tracks. If you love an easy, flowing album, give it a chance.
COVER PHOTO: Viagogo
About Ella Swimmer
Ella Swimmer is a senior from Santa Monica, CA. This adventurous Economics major spends her time dancing to hip-hop, practicing yoga, bingeing music and traveling.
Ella Swimmer is a senior from Santa Monica, CA. This adventurous Economics major spends her time dancing to hip-hop, practicing yoga, bingeing music and traveling.
