Review Summary: IYRTITL ultimately finds Drake with the world at his feet as he contemplates whats next
to conquer.
If You're Reading This It's Too Late....no seriously because this came out in February, but we're gonna review the damn tape anyways. 6 years ago to the date of this projects release "So Far Gone" Drakes 3rd mixtape hit the net and we're still living in its wake. The acclaimed mixtape has lead Drake to: platinum selling albums, hit singles, strippers, haters, rap beefs , label drama did i mention strippers? he really likes strippers, and a host of other things. Its true with this much success one can find themselves backed against a corner as everyone seeks to tear you down , but Drakes response ...attack through what started it all...music. IYRTITL is a vastly different project compared to Drakes other works. It dials back the R&B infused sound of "Take Care" , the sharp focus on "Nothing Was The Same" is even more intense , and you can hardly tell this is the same guy who made "Thank Me Later" hes at a higher place.
The production handled by Boi-1da, PartyNextDoor, 40, Vinylz, to name a few each contribute some of their best beats to Drake. "Legend" a PND produced track samples Ginuwines "So Anxious" and let me tell you the *** is smoother than that silk TLC were rocking back in the day. As Drake sings that when he dies he'll be a legend..he has many accomplishments under his belt by now to back that claim no doubt. Ironically on the next track "Energy" Drake fights to stay alive against his many detractors who seek to drain him. From the beginning to the end of this track to the next "10 Bands" you get the sense that there's other forces at work behind the aggressive lyrics and flow. We can thank Quentin Miller for that ,as his hand in aiding Drake songwriting brings forth some of the best tracks on the album. By now the ghost writing debacle is well documented and highly debated , but whatever end of the spectrum your in QM only adds to Drakes style he doesn't define it. "Know Yourself" is a prime example of Drake using a concept or idea and making it into a certified hit. Its beat creeps slow and hits hard but it ramps up the energy to run alongside Drake thru the 6 with his woes. By the time "No Tellin" comes into play we begin to see Drakes "woes" as he describes being owed money from his label Cash Money and knowing he cant trust women like he once could.
Aside from the smooth tracks: "Madonna" "Wednesday Night Interlude" "Jungle" we come to find Drake in a more braggadocios confrontational state of mind. His confidence isn't just heard through these songs its felt. Hes willing to take on any opponent (see Meek Mill
beef) and at every opportunity gloating in the face of his adversaries. His delivery wordplay, flow etc. is top notch in the process its hard to even consider he'll ever fall off. IYRTITL ultimately finds Drake with the world at his feet as he contemplates whats next to conquer. There is however the signature vulnerability we come to expect from Drake on "You & The 6" as he explains to his mother why he's become the way he is now , and its a notable highlight. He neglects her advice on what women to date he explains his clones and the jealousy levied against him. In closing IYRTITL is one of Drakes most intriguing projects to date.
