Golnaz Taherian | Arts Editor
Featured Image: Drake’s ‘Scorpion’ manages to express both his hip-hop and R&B sides.| Golnaz Taherian
Drake’s fifth studio album, ‘Scorpion,’ is the Canadian singer-songwriter’s longest and most varied work to date. The album was released on June 29 and fans have been streaming it constantly, pushing it to the top of the charts in the blink of an eye.
Billboard’s Keith Caulfield noted that, “for a fifth straight week, Drake’s ‘Scorpion’ rules the Billboard 200 albums chart.”
The 25 tracks are divided into two sections, A and B. The A side is heavily rap and hip-hop focused, while the B side brings out Drake’s smooth and rich R&B vocals. Drake’s incorporation of different genres serves to appeal to two groups of people: those who prefer his tough beats, and those who live by his vulnerable R&B vocals.
Although there are many people who consider this record-breaking album as Drake’s best, others have attacked its lack of focus. For instance, Roisin O’Connor, a music correspondent at the Independent, criticized it, saying: “We all know Drake as a virtuoso and something of a hip-hop chameleon, but the way he darts between different sounds is exhausting and, ultimately, messy.”
Health major Rodal Chowdhury thinks, “the album is okay, nothing special but not bad at all. My favourite song would be ‘Mob Ties,’ because the song was produced quite uniquely. Even though I don’t completely love the album, I still feel it represents Toronto well.”
Second-year social work student Victoria Canale connects with this album, saying “I love Drake’s new album! He reveals topics such as his child and being a parent. I feel like Drake has created his own unique genre of music. His songs are a mix of R&B, hip-hop and pop. His new style is highlighted in ‘Don’t Matter To Me.’”
There’re definitely some rich cuts on this album. For example, “Emotionless,” featuring Mariah Carey, mixes her swirling vocals with Drake’s sharp rapping, all atop a steady groove. Lyrically, the tune illustrates people’s unhealthy obsession with creating a false reality of their life on social media. Drake rhymes: “I know a girl whose one goal was to visit Rome / Then she finally got to Rome / And all she did was post pictures for people at home.”
Drake has been criticized by other rappers who question him and his talent. In the liner notes for the album, he compiles a selection of comments such as: “DRAKE DOESN’T EVEN WRITE HIS OWN SONGS.” In this way, the artist boldly brushes off the haters and their accusations and allows the strength of the art to speak for itself.
The B side switches from tough rhymes to unfiltered emotion. For example, “Jaded” is a bouncy song with heartfelt vocals that echo his heartbreak. In it, he croons: “Leaving me (leaving’ me) / Dippin’ out on me (on me) / Already got what you needed, I guess.” In this song, he talks about being used by his lover, and he doesn’t shy away from putting his pride aside and confessing his pain.
Drake sings about what everyone experiences, but few are willing to admit. His authenticity is visible in his lyrics and vocals, and this is what makes his work so intimate. This album is not limited to one fixed category and its inclusion of different styles, sounds and genres, crosses marketplace divisions and drives Drake’s art to success.
