Of course, sinceNothing Was the Same, Drakes star power has grown exponentially.
He dropped his remarkable mixtape-in-name-onlyIf Youre Reading This Too Latein early 2015,nearly scoreda No.
1 on the Hot 100 with theinternet sensationHotline Bling, nabbed anactual No.
Credit: Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star via Getty Images
And those moments were just the ones he logged in the studio.
Undoubtedly,Viewsarrives at a pivotal moment in Drakes saga.
Below, highlights from EWs first listen.
Drake continues to be the internet personified…
The Toronto rapper isnt contemporary musics most iconic artist or its most revolutionary one.
But hes crucial in todays music landscape because he sort of embodies internet culture.
Think about it: Heseasilymeme-able, periodically amusing, sometimes annoyingly out-of-touch, and above all else,ubiquitous.
All that gray in our conversation history, he spits on the Kanye West-produced U With Me?
alluding to how little hes contributing to a chat with a flame.
Three dots, you thinking of a reaction still.
And like a true millennial, he recites internet-speak aloud: LOLOL Im glad you find this s amusing.
But the MC still cant let theconflictgo.
I hate a rapper especially, he seethes on Hype.
Because he doesnt address Meek by name, Drakecouldfeasibly be referring to hisfrosty relationshipwith prime competitor Kendrick Lamar.
But hes rarely approached that rivalry with this degree of vitriol.
Despite Wests production credit on U With Me?
and Drakes suggestion that the twoalmost did a mixtape together Yes musical fingerprints are barely evident.
Drake gives the second-tier guests onViewseven less time in the spotlight.
The most fascinating wrinkle?
Drake barely even raps on smashes like Hotline Bling and Hold On, Were Going Home.
You know I love to go there.
