Let’s be honest, Drake has given us all More Life for the past few days and his playlist hasn’t even been available for an entire week yet. He’s undeniably at the top of the list of talented rappers in the game right now, trending #1 around the world with his records soaring to the top of the charts. He never ceases to amaze his fans when it comes to releasing new singles, let alone studio albums.
Playlists are great for separating your favorite songs into a synchronized, generated, group audio file that you can listen to all together. Whether the songs are played in chronological order or shuffled to hear a random mix of the soundtracks, you are still able to enjoy the personal, digital music collection you created and share it with your friends. Drake did just that with this body of work, which is why he preferred to call More Life a playlist rather than an album.
More Life is composed of 22 tracks, including its first single “Fake Love” which Drake debuted in October 2016. The rapper has been brainstorming his other two singles with his team, and recently announced his decision, with “Free Smoke” coming in at #2 and “Passionfruit” at #3. The playlist also consists features by Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Kanye West, PartyNextDoor, Travis Scott, Giggs, and Quavo from Migos.
Drake opens the album with “Free Smoke” produced by Allen Ritter and Boi-1da. Australian soul artist Nai Palm’s strong yet mellow vocals introduce the soundtrack, before Drake interrupts to leave his haters a major sidenote, “and more chune for your headtop, so watch how you speak on my name, you know?” Drake then reminds us why he’s one of the most talked about rappers to date. He flexes his rap muscles once the beat drops in a way that no one other than Aubrey Graham can, letting his verses speak for themselves, concluding with a word from a member of his OVO entourage, his boy Baka, who will always have his back. We meet UK rapper Giggs on the second track, “No Long Talk,” where the two go off, informing the world that they’re not here to play. They’re here to do what they do best and if anyone has a problem with them or steps to them with any bullshit, they’re ready to take them on head first. Therefore, if you have something to dish out, be prepared for what you’re about to receive.
The rapper then moves on to show us that he’s a product of his environment. Drake was born and raised in the multi-cultural streets of Toronto, which has always played a role in his music and inspired his diverse musical style. He shifts into the swing of the reggae beat that protrudes “Passionfruit.” Warming us up to the instrumental of the track gives off a relaxing feel as if you’re swaying in a hammock on a beach that overlooks the island of Jamaica. It’s a slight splash before you dive into the dancehall vibes of the records to come. “Jorja Interlude” features a sample of Drake’s 2011 track, “Doing It Wrong,” leading into the next song “Get It Together.” Upcoming British artist Jorja Smith takes over most of the record, sweeping you off your feet and onto the dance floor to show off your moves to the upbeat ballad. Before you know it, the sweat is dripping from hardcore dancing and singing to the constant rotation of hits, but it’s not over yet. South African influenced record “Madiba Riddim” is up next, followed by the Caribbean flow of “Blem.”
Drake then hops on a flight from the Caribbean island of Jamaica and makes his way back to the UK to link Sampha and Skepta on “4422,” “Gyalchester,” and “Skepta Interlude.” When you have a private jet, it’s no biggie. Off to “Portland” with Quavo and Travis Scott. It’s only right the rappers get in their bag on the soundtrack titled after one of their favorite places in the U.S., rhyming about fame and their success. If you find yourself bumping uncontrollably to “Sacrifices” up next, then you know you’ve just touched down in Atlanta. 2 Chainz and Young Thug assist Drake to let the world know everything that glitters isn’t gold, and fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. They take turns sharing the sacrifices they’ve encountered on their way to the top of the rap game.
“Nothings Into Somethings” displays the side of Drake most ladies love and would die for. Finally a man that’s okay with showing and expressing his emotions when it comes to the relationships he’s in. Drake continues to be in his feelings on “Teenage Fever.” Early this year his fans have been in a frenzy trying to piece two and two together on whether or not the OVO rapper’s new love interest was Jennifer Lopez, so you know the internet was in flames when he sampled her track, “If You Had My Love” on the record.
After releasing your feelings that remained bottled up to the one you love, it feels good to hang out with that one friend that will always remind you of your worth. That just might be Giggs for Drake. The two collaborate on “KMT” giving off a major hardcore, bad-ass vibe, before making its way into “Lose You.” Ain’t nothing like listening to a lyricist that just feels like they’re talking to you. Drake continues to takeover our eardrums and spit bars on “Can’t Have Everything” before the glo up is real. Kanye shines his ultralight beam on the eighteenth track of the playlist, “Glow,” as the twosome go back and forth reminiscing on how far they’ve come in the music industry. PartyNextDoor and Drake croon about their relationships on “Since Way Back” and Drake is later surrounded by “Fake Love” with people using him as a meal ticket/come up to fame. Young Thug returns and kills “Ice Melts” with Drake, produced by S1 and Supah Mario.
Drake concludes the More Life playlist on “Do Not Disturb” which feels like an open book memoir of his long voyage that led him to where he is today. Overall, Drake continues to flourish and you can see his growth throughout the albums he’s released since his start in the rap game. Drake is one of the most talented rappers in the game thus far that’s managed to stay at the top, and More Life playlist is a great example of why he’s undefeated. I must say, it’s an amazing body of work that will remain in rotation all throughout Summer ’17.
