Drake - Winnipeg Free Press
Drake
Thank Me Later
Universal/Aspire
THE most anticipated hip-hop album of 2010 isn’t Eminem’s Recovery or Kayne West’s Good Ass Job, it’s from 23-year-old former Degrassi: The Next Generation star-turned-MC Aubrey (Drake) Graham.
After catching the attention of the hip hop world through a series of free mix tapes self-released through his website, Drake has been busy working with A-list stars like Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. Along with that dream team of MCs appearing on his debut, Thank Me Later, Young Jeezy shows up on the slow-burning Unforgettable and Alicia Keys performs on the album’s first cut Fireworks, where Drake proclaims in the opening verse that “money has changed everything.”
While Drake may be the hottest rapper on the planet right now, his R&B-infused take on hip-hop is not only radio ready, but avoids falling into the pitfalls of success. There are times when Drake’s emotionally vulnerable lyrics can come across as simplistic, but his smooth flow and slick beats help you get past it.
Expect big things from this Juno-winning MC. Hopefully fame won’t change who he is, even though he claims his “15 minutes started an hour ago.”
4 stars
