Could Drake being saying goodbye his label?
On the six-year anniversary of “So Far Gone,” the mix tape that launched his career to stardom, Drake shocked his fans with the sudden and secret release of his latest mixtape, “If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late.” Critics and fans alike are calling it “pulling a Beyoncé,” after she too secretly released an entire album without public awareness or promotion, just two years ago.
Despite being kept a secret not only from the fans, but from the label as well, the album made it’s way to the Billboard 200, peaking at number one for several days. In fact, there has been major speculation surrounding the impromptu release of the mixtape saying that its iTunes release was made to fulfill the contract in place with his label Cash Money, which is currently in a very public dispute with rapper, Lil Wayne. The rapper filed a $51 million lawsuit against the label and is determined to have Drake and Nicki Minaj by his side during his exit. This album would be Drake’s fourth chapter in the Cash Money series, therefore possibly releasing Drake from his ties to the contract.
“If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late,” has a surprisingly nostalgic vibe, almost identical to the music he released prior to signing a major record deal. Its refreshingly deep and personal which is what made it all the more enjoyable to listen to. It wasn’t about being catchy or becoming a hit (although arguably it turned out to be both), but it was about breaking free of the constraints that he may or may not have had with the label itself. We can see a perfect example of this in the song, “Now and Forever.”
It begins with the sound of chains being hit by a hammer before Drake chimes in with the lyrics, “I’m leaving, I’m gone, I can’t stay here no more, I can’t sleep on the floor…” and continues to say, “I had to knock down the wall.” The song, it seems, is directly speaking to the label about his ultimate decision to leave and this is his letter to them. It’s as if Drake himself has decided to break free of the shackles that has been restraining him creatively and figuratively and this mixtape was the way to show Cash Money that he can still make a top selling record with or without them.
Overall, it’s safe to say that “If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late,” may be Drake’s best album to date. With messages to friends, to enemies, to his parents, and to his supporters, it was well received by fans and critics alike and has definitely shown audiences that the Drake we had first come to know has never left. So far, it has only worked in his favor. And if you’re reading this, it’s not too late to check it out for yourself.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-youre-reading-this-its/id966997496
Erica M. Szkola
Want to hear more from Erica? Check out her blog: lifeonthereel