Drake's Thank Me Later: A Review

Drake's meteoric rise, recalling only comparisons to 50 Cent and Lil Wayne in recent memory, has had hip-hop fans wondering whether or not the rookie would be able to live up to his seemingly limitless potential. The rapper, who can also hold a tune, and is extremely mediagenic, seems to have hit a sweet spot, crafting hybrid R&B-tinged introspective and sexually charged rap records that appeal to both sexes, and his debut Thank Me Later, is full of them. It's a slightly inferior version of his earlier mixtape/EP So Far Gone with a superior feature list. Besides B.o.B.'s recent debut B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (read review), few rookies are able to command A-list stars. Drake benefits from the presence of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, T.I., and Young Jeezy, not to mention The Dream and Young Money compatriot Nicki Minaj (plus Bun B and Trey Songz on the iTunes bonus cuts). He holds his own on each track, impressive for a newbie. And the production, overall, is sterling: a moody palette the likes of which belies the pop expectations created by such earlier records as Successful; one that recalls Kid Cudi's .

But Thank Me Later generally follows the same template established by So Far Gone, which, at this point, is no longer as fresh. It's all emo-rap to be sure, and the surrounding hype may make you wonder why you'd be interested in listening to the story of a rapper who has appeared on every website from HipHopDX to The New York Times Online, most, if not all of the late night talk shows, the daily papers, and practically every other media outlet you can name. For an album with as much commercial ambition as this, Drake raps (unsurprisingly for those who have followed his mixtapes) candidly about himself and his insecurities. And while his inner turmoil does not quite reach Eminem or Joe Budden heights of angst, the album is not quite as rosy as Drake's career prospects.

To be sure, there are a number of notable records to add to his discography. Light It Up featuring Jay-Z contains a clever co-sign of the young rapper (as well as a few shots at Beanie Siegel and Dame Dash). Karaoke, Show Me a Good Time, Find Your Love, Miss Me featuring Lil Wayne, and Fancy featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz are also strong records. Perhaps the strongest is The Resistance, a solo track in which the youngster reflects on his relationship with fame. Still, there's nothing on here approaching the quality of Best I Ever Had or Successful.

Perhaps his closest point of comparison is Kanye West, but whereas Kanye's singing and rhyming is often forced (such as the incredibly awkwardly-crafted verses/musings on his supposed comeback single Power), Drake glides through both of these mediums effortlessly. He has a knack for smooth, often hard-hitting punchlines, which demand attention from even hip-hop purists. He is simply nicer than many new rappers with major label deals of the past half-decade, bar for bar, (although considering much of the talent that has been sitting on the shelf - Saigon, Papoose, Charles Hamilton, Cory Gunz, etc., that isn't saying much). And both amateurish album cover and astronomical levels of hype notwithstanding, it is a remarkably solid (not quite, but almost great) album, and bodes well for Drake's future if he can maintain his current level-headed temperament and candor. Given the vagaries of fame, there's no telling, but if his next few albums are less Aubrey Drake Graham and more hype, then at least we can thank him letter for a pleasurable album now.