#Drake - "Thank Me Later" (Album Review)

Anticipation. Expectations. Performance. As I sit here and think about an epic game 7 in the NBA Finals, I reflect on how the greats (Kobe, Jordan, Magic) responded to pressure. They are revered for their ability to deliver when the spotlight is blinding, when the world is watching. For the past 2 years, Ive watched my fellow Torontonian Drake explode into a household name. Blessed with charisma, talent and impressive marketing, He is posed to lead his peers and stake his claim as the very best of his generation. June 15th, 2010 will forever be considered as Drakes personal "game 7". Does he deliver...?

Thank Me Later opens with a melodic ode to personal growth; Fireworks. With his honest reflections of his faults and mistakes, Drake sets the tone for whats to come. Alicia Keys does her usual magic on the hook. Its not the explosive start I hoped for, but a solid track nonetheless. Karaoke follows and has a vintage Maxwell type vibe to it. Resistance is disturbingly similar to the previous track and I become concerned that Drake flooded his debut with too much R&B. Luckily, Over, the 1st official single bangs thru my headphones to wake my lethargic state of mind. Drizzys verses are fierce, direct and vibrant.

Drake continues to deliver lyrically with Show me a good time. With the vintage scratches and cuts in the background, and his on point reference to J.Dilla, its a personal favorite. Nicki Minaj passes thru to show her Young Money com padre support with Up all night. Its a dark, plodding track that Ms. Barbie rips with aggression while Drake channels Lil' Wayne on the hook. Fancy is spoiled by an annoying Swizz Beatz on the hook and unimpressive beat. Drake and TI, however, raise the bar for fellow MC's with tight verses.

Shut it Down feat The Dream is a standard R&B cut that sounds like it should have been included on So Far Gone. Unimpressive and honestly put me to sleep. Unforgettable starts off like (yet) another R&B joint, but Drake and Jeezy expose selfish friends and unfaithful women. Young Jeezy is a beast as a guest and he doesn't disappoint. In the much talked about collabo between Drake and Jigga, Light it up features a thumping, drum pattern with introspective lines about being true to ones self. Hova is Hova, professional but unspectacular.
The album finishes with an appearance by Lil Wayne (Miss me), the second single Find your love and the title cut Thank me now... 


So Drake deliver an MVP performance? Lyrically, yes he does. Each song is repeat worthy, thanks to Drakes wordplay, sense of humor and drive to succeed. As a Hip Hop Head, I would have preferred less singing and more rappin, but make no mistake about it, Drake "Drizzy" Rogers will be a 1st team allstar for many more years to come.

LYRICS: 9/10                   BEATS: 7/10                 OVERALL:8:/10