Drake - Scorpion (Album Review)

Life After Death, All Eyez On Me, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, The Eminem Show, Country Grammar and Carter 3. These critically acclaimed albums are prime examples of the peak success achieved by their creators. 

Often expressed through album sales, respect from fans and peers alike, it is an undeniable moment for the legacy of the artist when their album ventures into uncharted territory, with millions purchasing and listening to their album. 

As of today, Drake has managed to add on to the legend of the most polarizing career in rap history. Coming off one of the most publicized and scrutinized battles ever with hip-hop fixture Pusha-T, almost every rap fan was at least curious to see what his pivotal seventh studio album would and would not feature and possibly address. The result was a 25 track double album, one side rap and one side R&B, which gave his fans and detractors what they wanted. 

For the fans who love Drake’s music, the split experience allowed them to get the full range of his versatile ability over different sounds and flows. Emotionless, 8 out of 10, Sandra’s Rose, Survival and Is There More stand as Drake’s most traditional hip-hop efforts on the product, especially with the assist from hip-hop super producer DJ Premier and trusty OVO house producer 40. The commecial radio cuts are well accounted for in Nonstop, Mob Ties, Talk Up (feat. Jay-Z). And of course the core female fans get their summer anthems with the chart topping Nice For What to go along with Jaded, Finesse, Ratchet Happy Birthday, After Dark  and the newest #1 song In My Feelings. A certified hit maker, Drake doesn’t disappoint the people who actually do appreciate his signature sound and style, well represented on his best album in the last couple of years. 

For Drake detractors and those who never got into his music, Scorpion may be nothing but 90 minutes of trying to figure out the appeal of his sound and what his fans enjoy. There are multiple songs on the R&B side which will have one scratching their head and laughing. And yes, it is very difficult to miss on a song featuring Michael Jackson. And perhaps the lines referring to his child and parenting situation seemed forced and often uncomfortable. Do those factors undo the content and the quality of the album? Not one bit. In an era where you’ll be lucky to get 2-4 good songs on an album, Drake’s latest effort should be appreciated, because it’s actually going against the grain of this microwave rap era. 

One week later after it’s release, Scorpion has become the first album in the streaming era to reach 1 billion streams, which is impressive no matter who accomplishes it. And for that honor to be bestowed on a hip hop artist that gets scrutinized as much as Drake, it’s even more of a testament to put up those numbers in this climate. Drake May never go down as a top tier lyricist or writer (different discussion for a different day), but he will go down as one of the greatest artists we have ever seen, regardless of genre. His latest album just hammers home that point, for those who love it and hate it. A legacy that won’t be denied, but forever debated. 

Top 10 Songs: 

1. 8 out of 10

2. Sandra’s Rose

3. Finesse  

4. Emotionless

5. Is There More

6. Nonstop

7. Blue Tint

8. After Dark

9. Jaded

10.In My Feelings