To: Dave
Love: Adam
Date Sent: 4/20/2018
Drake – Thank Me Later
Release Date: June 15th, 2010
Keeping it rolling with the #DebutAlbumWeek(s) with this throwback. I was listening to the Aerosmith album on my ride home yesterday when I tried thinking of a first project that would be well suited for a Friday. This album was one of the first that I contemplated and after searching through Rolling Stone’s list of Top 100 Debut Albums, my choice of Thank Me Later (#77/100) was solidified. Drake’s debut album is literally littered (ALLITERATION!) with fire jams: Fireworks, Over, Up All Night, Fancy, Light Up, Miss Me, Find Your Love, Thank Me Now. 8 songs out of 14 for his 1st appearance is fucking crazy and obviously a harbinger of Drake’s emergence in the industry, even if it’s loaded with features. I think he’s one of the most influential people of our time and he knows it. People will listen to anything that he puts his name on, but he has still yet to completely implode like Kanye or his founder Lil’ Wayne, which is impressive in its own right. Drake follows this album up with Take Care, which will forever be in my top 3 of best hip hop albums ever, alongside Kendrick’s good kid and probably Kanye’s Late Registration. #HotTake #WeDigMusicTopic
“And that’s around the time that your idols become your rivals, you make friends with Mike, but gotta A.I. him for your survival.” — Thank Me Now
“So I’m riding through my city with my high beams on, can you see me can you see me get your visine on, y’all just do not fit the picture. Turn your widescreen on. If you thinkin’ I’ma quit before I die, dream on (Aerosmith reference?!)” — Over
I could go on for hours with great lines from Drake, but I have students just staring at me asking what we’re doing today, so I’d better not. I know you’ll like this, even the sneaky verses on Unforgettable (turn it off once Jeezy comes on!), Show Me A Good Time, & The Resistance. Jay-Z’s verse on Light Up is unreal, making it one of my favorites.
The Favorites:
Adam:
Dave: