You get a very competitive, rascally, and nurturing version of Drake in “Scorpion.”

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 TOP 5

 

HONORABLE MENTION. I’M UPSET

Drake is scary when he’s upset.

Initially, I thought “I’m Upset” was basura. There was no indication that Drake put any level of effort into the song, and quite honestly, I thought it was one of his worst singles to date. Then I started to look at things from a different perspective… I decided to view the song as one of those competitive tracks in which Drake sets out on a mission to prove that he’s a boss in the streets, ultimately resulting in a lyrical fervor that appears more intense than intricate. No, you won’t find any silky smooth melodies or flashy bars from him—just tough words revolving around bounties on heads, explicit texts from exes, and hearts in decline. Don’t appreciate the track for its musicality; appreciate it for its gangsta vibe!

Drake’s lucky that we give his music several different listens because if Lil Xan made this s**t, there was no way I was giving it a second listen.

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION. MARCH 14

Drake likes to get in those sheets close to Leprechaun day?

“March 14” is as deep as it gets. In the song, Drake finally gets to reveal to the world that he has a child and that the whole situation caught him off guard. The song starts a bit raw, almost similar to his random freestyle tracks like “9am In Dallas” in which he lets loose about a variety of topics, but turns into this solemn/heartwarming tune that has some random singer giving us body blows of passion for the rest of the time. In my opinion, the track is a tear-jerker. By the end of it, you’ll think Pusha is an asshole for leaking Drake’s business to the masses on “Story of Adidon.”

 

 

5. NICE FOR WHAT

The energy associated with “Nice For What” is impeccable. Fueled by production from Murda Beatz, Drake goes all out, sounding like a guy who has just received his first rap advance and is prepared to spend it all in the club. In my opinion, lyrically, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about the verses that the 6God delivers, as he chooses to take on the role of a hypeman rather than an MC.

Lauryn Hill’s vocals in the background take this song to another level. As a matter of fact, I get the chills when I hear her sing. It’s weird because she gives off this posthumous feel in this song. (Lauryn is alive and well. Folks just saw her in concert last year!)

If I’m not getting grinded on while this song is playing, I can’t stand its existence.

 

 

4. EMOTIONLESS

“Emotionless” is the most soulful rap song on this album, and because of that, I think listeners will be able to connect with it quite a bit.

“Emotionless” draws its power from a hard-hitting instrumental that seamlessly blends moments of tenderness with soulfulness on the hook. Drake capitalizes on these elements by choosing to unveil some of his most vulnerable lyrics on the album, exchanging his punchlines and trendy flows for profound wisdom and contemplation. As a man, I can genuinely say I took notes.

“Look at the way we live/I wasn’t hiding my kid from the world; I was hiding the world from my kid/from empty souls who just wake up and look to debate/Until you staring at your seed, you could never relate.” Is that not the deepest s**t you’ve ever heard Drake say?

 

 

3. JADED

“Jaded,” the sole slow jam on this album, is the track where Drake fully realizes his R&B potential.

In “Jaded,” Drake does everything from sing fearlessly to play your stereotypical fragile-ass light skin dude, never sounding too ashamed to get laughed at by studs like myself that happened to stumble upon the record (HA HA! Nervous laugh).

From start to finish, Drake relies on the vibes of the instrumental to help him create the perfect hook, melody, and lyrics that will make this ruthless lover he’s chasing reconsider dissing him in favor of someone more suitable.

Drake has money, so how does he keep ending up in these poor situations where girls try to play him?

 

 

2. IN MY FEELINGS

“In My Feelings” stands as the hit record of “Scorpion.” It exudes fun, dynamism, and features DJ cuts that I believe club-goers will thoroughly enjoy. It somewhat resembles a milder version of “Nice For What,” a well-known Billboard hit.

Do you also get the sense that Drake attempted to blend numerous sounds into the fabric of this song? I detect traces of Naija vibes, ratchet vibes, and even sentimental vibes throughout. Kudos to you for showcasing your versatility, Drake!

 

 

1. GOD’S PLAN

Is this Drake’s best first single? (It’s between this and “Hotline Bling,” for me.)

“God’s Plan” just brings joy to my heart every time I hear it. It represents a version of our hero that’s in this happy place that no amount of BBLs, blind-sided Pusha-T disses, or Lebron James winning shots can take away from him. Upon its initial release, I was confident that it would receive extensive club play—not only due to its association with Drake but also because it incorporates every essential element that a hit song requires: catchy lyrics, a melodious hook, beat breakdowns, and, most significantly, highly relatable content. Rappers, take heed; this is precisely how you craft a hit record.

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

SIDE A

1. SURVIVAL (4/5)
2. NONSTOP (4/5)
3. ELEVATE (4/5)
4. EMOTIONLESS (5/5)
5. GOD’S PLAN (5/5)
6. I’M UPSET (4/5)
7. 8 OUT OF 10 (4/5)
8. MOB TIES (3/5)
9. CAN’T TAKE A JOKE (3/5)
10. SANDRA’S ROSE (4/5)
11. TALK UP (3/5)
12. IS THERE MORE (3/5)

SIDE B

1. PEAK (3/5)
2. SUMMER GAMES (3/5)
3. JADED (5/5)
4. NICE FOR WHAT (5/5)
5. FINESSE (4/5)
6. RATCHET HAPPY BIRTHDAY (3/5)
7. THAT’S HOW YOU FEEL (4/5)
8. BLUE TINT (4/5)
9. IN MY FEELINGS (5/5)
10. DON’T MATTER TO ME (4/5)
11. AFTER DARK (3/5)
12. FINAL FANTASY (3/5)
13. MARCH 14 (4/5)

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OVERALL RATING

(C+) (77%)

 

This album is probably closer to a C than it is to a B.

Drake defied all the expectations people held for his music and, at last, crafted an album that precisely encapsulates his sentiments on a range of subjects. From beginning to end, it seemed as though he had finally been afforded the opportunity to reveal to the world that, like us, he is human—his only distinction being the ability to channel his emotions into music capable of securing a spot in the Billboard charts’ top 10 (Talented S.O.B.!). I’d venture to assert that this is, to date, his most straightforward album, featuring tunes that don’t necessarily overwhelm with their auditory grandeur. In truth, it comprises 24 solid tracks that have no intention of conforming to trends.

Do you know what else struck me about Drake’s mindset on this album? I sense that he was unafraid to tread the line between rap and R&B throughout, resulting in an organic hip-hop sound that defies strict genre categorization (I felt that, on occasion, he forced the fusion of both genres on his prior projects). He remains unconcerned about the many who take issue with his place on rap’s Mount Rushmore; he continues to go all out when necessary and express vulnerability when the situation warrants, regardless of observers. This indicates to me that Drake has finally evolved into an artist solely concerned with his own artistic path. Consequently, his fans should anticipate heightened vulnerability and reduced emphasis on striving for the next big thing, as he moves forward.

In my humble opinion, Side B of this album is undoubtedly superior to Side A. When you grant Drake the freedom to step outside of the cliché rap confines, he becomes something truly exceptional in the music world. That’s what around 97% of that side of the album embodies. Don’t misunderstand me, the tracks where he bares his soul about personal topics such as his newborn child and bounties on his head are captivating. Yet, nothing surpasses the songs where he takes on the persona of the lonely Heartbreak Drake, craving both a hug and harmony with the production’s vibes rather than dominating them. Frankly speaking, Side A had far too many lackluster tracks.

Do you know what struck me most about this album? Each song possesses its own distinct personality. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Drake crafted them at various points in time. As a reviewer, this complexity makes assessments challenging because my top 5 choices might differ entirely from yours.

Drake’s rapping on the album is profound, carefree, and straightforward. It feels as though he set out on a mission to communicate more directly with us in Scorpion, instilling the belief that we were integral witnesses to the trials and tribulations he navigates as an artist, father, and regular individual. Every word he utters in this project is more than auditory; it’s palpable. The way he tackles his subjects dances on the edge between nonchalant and thoughtless.

Is this Drake’s finest album to date? Probably not, but I firmly believe it is his most significant. In simple terms, it seemed like he finally had the opportunity to articulate a multitude of thoughts that had been bottled up in his mind. This newfound sense of solace in his demeanor makes it feel like his words on this project were long overdue. I’m genuinely pleased for him and hope he continues to find a harmonious balance between his personal life and music. However, I can’t help but wonder how his career might have unfolded if he had adopted this very approach across all his past albums.

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