“This is nothin’ for the radio, but they’ll still play it though.” This boast comes from the first track off of Drake’s new album, Nothing Was the Same. This rings true from the introspective first 6 minutes entitled “Tuscan Leather,” until the end of the album. It’s nothing for the radio.
Popular music, ever since it’s involved the rap genre, has been in a malaise of mediocre party jams and uninteresting club beats. Songs pre-manufactured not for the sake of the album, but for the sake of radio play and a quick iTunes sale. I’m not going to call out any names, but let’s just say there would be less of the same rappers on top if there wasn’t popular radio there to protect their spots. We’ve seen little breakthrough in ways of top rappers, so it takes someone on top to step down and create a beautiful musical experience.
Enter Drake, who has been on top ever since his breakthrough in 2009, coming on with the new album as a follow-up to 2011’s amazing work Take Care must have been a challenge. Coming out of Nothing Was the Same, he created a whole new challenge; a challenge to all of modern rap to create something better.
The album in question is not your typical rap album. It’s a dual personality look inside Drake’s mind, being both confident and brash (especially on the vengeful track “Worst Behavior,” my favorite on the album), yet incredibly deep and emotional at the same time.
I think the fact that Drake can be such a multi-faceted rapper lets him go out and do his own thing, to be soulful on more R&B-style tracks like “Own It” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” He takes nothing for granted on the album, throwing himself and his personal life out there in a way that most rappers or entertainers in general, in his position wouldn’t have the guts to throw out.
In an interview during the recording process of Nothing Was the Same, Drake was asked what differs this album from his previous work. He answered “If I wanted to rap all the time, really rap, I would, but I also love to make music.” Drake loves to make music, and music fans around the world are glad for the listen.