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Drake – Views (Album Review)

by Miracle

drake-views-cover(Photo By Google Images)

Views (iTunes)

The following is a summation of Drake‘s latest offering Views ….

Outside all of the publicity behind the numerous ghostwriters Drake is said to have had helping to pen this project, this writer believes this was a strong album from him. The fact that Drake is one of today’s most consistent hit-making artists begs for him to continue to strike while the irons are hot. The entire tone of the album is reminiscent of Drake circa 2009 – 2010 when he was expressing himself clearly and further separating himself  from the cliché artistry of today. The earmarks of a great or classic album are all over this project for a couple of different reasons:

“U With Me?”

On this track Drake paid homage to DMX and borrowed some of X’s lyrics as he spit: “It’s like a lotta games are being played, hows it going down? If it’s on til we gone then I gots to know now. Is you wit me or what?” (Sampled from “How’s it Goin Down” by DMX)

This track was reminiscent to me of the “Hail Mary” Remix that Eminem, 50 Cent, and Busta Rhymes did as a diss to Ja Rule in 2004. Rhyming and using the original artist’s rhyme scheme is a lost art in itself and shows depth and appreciation for the artists whose lines were borrowed and used either better or at the same level that it was originally intended. Any classic work is inventive and draws from other classic works. At times tho, this project did get a bit harmony heavy and ambiguous.

“Feel No Ways”

Here we find Drake singing/harmonizing, and it puts you in the mind of 90’s era R&B. It almost sounds better than the R&B from the R&B artists today. Whether you call it singing or harmonizing, it points toward good music with a subtle vibe and it’s cohesive, coherent. Music has been so watered down as of late that our ears automatically tune-in when they pick up on sound that is in keeping with what we believe to be pleasing and suitable to us. My favorite lines from here were part of the bridge but it speaks for itself: “I tried wit you. It’s more to life than sleeping in and getting high with you. I had to let go of us to show myself what I can do;” whatever you take away from a song should be the measure of how well put together it is and how much effort the artist devoted to the track.

By Drake being for all intents and purposes the “face” of modern Hip-Hop, the expectations for him have risen and I guess its a rather unspoken mandate that Drake raises the bar artistically to further set himself apart from other artists and I feel like he did just that. No one can make a Drake album … but Drake!!! This writer is a fan and will continue to support well put together works from Drake.

**Son Em’s Take: I rate Views a 6 out of 10 and would encourage readers if they haven’t already to give it a listen. Look at it this way, I’m pretty sure this album will reach more and generate more than any artist on the upcoming cover of XXL with the new Freshman artists. -Son Em’ 365

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