It seems like it was just yesterday when So Far Gone came and set a blaze on the underground, and eventually mainstream, hip-hop scene. We rarely knew much about the guy, but only to later find out he was from Toronto, half Jewish and starred on a show called Degrassi. Who would’ve thought that would be the background for one of today’s top rappers? Now on his sophomore album, Take Care is a story about a kid who became a king and the ups and downs of a man’s journey with various women. With no filler tracks and something for everyone, Take Care is worth your $9.99. Here are a few reasons why.

1. Instant Replay Value

From the first time I heard Take Care, it has yet to leave my ear. Whether it was the Just Blaze-produced “Lord Knows” to the sneaky diss to track his exes on “Shot For Me,” the album is hard to take out of your car, iPod or home surround sound. Drake gives you 20 songs including the bonus tracks to vibe, converse over and listen to over and over. Clap for him.

2. Impeccable Production

If you were to ask me who are the five biggest hip-hop producers of 2011 the answer would include T-Minus and Noah “40” Shebib (Others: Lex Luger, No I.D. and Kanye West). The two account for 16 of the 18 songs on the album. With 40 covering the smooth section of the album with tracks like “Doing It Wrong” and the internet smash “Marvin’s Room”, T-Minus took a different approach. With the fast-paced “HYFR” featuring Lil Wayne and bass-booming “We’ll Be Fine”, T-Minus delivers. Let’s not mention the hall of fame producer, Just Blaze possibly giving Drake the beat of the year with “Lord Knows”. Musically, Drake’s ear does wonders.

3. More So Far Gone than Thank Me Later

After Thank Me Later was released many critics and naysayers said it didn’t have the So Far Gone feel to it. Even Drake openly admitted that TML felt rushed and forced into the public. Therefore on Take Care, Drake used the same formula that which made So Far Gone so great. All tracks were made in his hometown and most of the beats provided by partner in crime, 40. Many rap songs and to add in a few R&B tracks this can be classified as So Far Gone 2.0 That’s not bad to say at all.

4. Quality R&B Album

Vocally, Drake isn’t Anita Baker or Luther Vandross. I know. However, his songwriting and melodies as a R&B singer are getting better and better as he grows older and experiences more in his life. As a rapper he gets some backlash for this but I believe this just makes him more dynamic of an artist. A song like “Doing It Wrong” will not be accepted to a super hip-hop fan, but anyone with an ear for music can acceptance its brilliance of honesty and conviction. We need to all give the Toronto kid a pass when it comes to the R&B songs, whether you hate it or love it.

5. Best Mainstream Hip-Hop Album of the Year

Yes, I said it. Better than Ambition, Cole World and Watch the Throne. I like all of those albums and appreciate what they’ve done for the culture, but Take Care wipes them off the map and it’s not even close. And since we’re debating the only albums that can go toe-toe with Take Care would be Big K.R.I.T.’s Returnof4eva or Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80. Nonetheless, on the mainstream scene, Take Care is reigns supreme.

With all that being said are you ready to donate your hard earned money for a potentially classic album? I am. Drake delivered; therefore, we must acknowledge that and support the culture. Take care, kids.

– Terry Mundell (@commenturry)

Sidenote: Photo Art: Designer’s Complex

Link

As you know “Take Care” from October’s own Drake leaked a week before the actual release date, November 15th. Personally I’ve been anticipating this album ever since Drake announced the release date. When it leaked, I couldn’t wait anymore. Thanks to Hulkshare, I downloaded this amazing album. Drake handled the leak with great class. On Twitter the rapper tweeted “I am not sure if the album leaked. But if it did thank God it doesn’t happen a month early anymore”. Usually artists would vent their frustration over finding out their album has been leaked. But c’mon it’s Drake’s album, it was bound to get leaked. He told his fans to enjoy and “Take Care”.

Drake has come a very long way since “Replacement Girl” days. It has only been 4 years. Since then, Drake has endured highs and lows. He’s had several failed relationships, but they were used as inspiration for his music. “Thank Me Later” was a kiss-off to his contemporaries, this new album is more of a kick in the face. He has put much more time into his craft and using keyboard driven beats. Drake uses influences from artists of various genres including soul: Stevie Wonder, Chantal Kreviazuk, and samples the late great Gil Scott Heron on the Rihanna collaboration, “Take Care” He is also becoming more versatile by singing more. The outcome, is this honest album that showcases Drake’s vulnerabilities, insecurities and frustrations.

The realness of “Over My Dead Body” is beyond amazing. Drake opens up Take Care by talking about his life as a mainstream artist in Hip-Hop. This song is a beautiful stage-setter and a reintroduction into Drake’s world. The fact that he uses a piano makes the song even more appealing and his voice just carrying the song along. He spills pour honesty on this record. This song gives us a look into how Drake feels about all of his past success leading into Take Care. Besides his fame and success, he talks about relationships that have hurt him. He ends “Shot For Me” with a simply spoken string of well put together lines by a Notorious B.I.G classic, “Hustler’s Prayer.”

“May your neighbors respect you. Trouble neglect you. Angels protect you, and heaven accept you.” Drake starts this song singing, which I find very soothing as the song plays along. Great flow, very clever and as always, meaningful lyrics. I have to say everyone can relate to this song so much.

The song that I found most interesting is “Crew Love” featuring The Weeknd. The production is insane. Drake’s voice comes in towards the end of the second minute, the beat finally drops and the whole song comes together. The production builds up to this awkward cliffhanger climax in the middle of the song, and Drake’s voice changes the pace. The Weeknd’s feature just made it even better.

The track “Underground Kings” makes me want to seriously just rap in my room. As usual Drake goes in. Drake’s flow on this one is absolutely pristine. I loved the fact that he payed homage to Birdman and Weezy’s classic “Neck of the Woods”:

“Walking like a man, finger on the trigger, I got money in my pocket. I’m an uptown nigga. Uh.”

“Lord Knows” with Rick Ross is definitely another hit next to “Underground Kings”. The mix of gospel choir, a R&B sample and a stomping beat. Also look out for a Drake and Rick Ross mixtape “You Only Live Once” in the works. I’m really looking forward to hearing that.

You can say Drake has a lot of great songs on this album and a few bangers like the collab he did with Lil Wayne on “H.Y.F.R. (Hell Yea F**kin Right)” and his second single “Make Me Proud” with Nicki Minaj.

Besides Drake’s meaningful and catchy hooks, some Drizzy fans are a bit concerned on why Drake went a certain direction with this album. They feel that this album is a bit depressing. Drake is usually filled with so much energy in his music. Listener’s say that his last album is better than this new album. He’s singing way to much. People are also questioning where did this “music” come from, its NOT Drake. Its seen as a R&B album rather than a Hip-Hop album. But we have to understand that Drake is just displaying his skills. Drake is a great artist. Who you know got nominated for a Grammy off a mixtape? His lyrical content continues with his thoughts on life, love and the meaning of success.

I am very impressed with this album and cannot wait to see what he does with the next one. We love, I love Hip-Hop.


4.5 Stars

Buy “Take Care” on iTunes today:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/take-care-deluxe-version/id479760323

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