Drake has become an entirely different man over the span of his past couple of albums, experimenting with different tones and genres, to mixed reviews at best. Drake’s latest album “Her Loss” features a punchier and catchier version of himself that we haven’t seen since 2015 who works in tandem with 21 Savage to create one of the hardest-hitting one-two punches in rap.
Supplementing Drake and 21 Savage is a stacked production team that features notable names such as Tay Keith and Noah “40” Shebib, even surprising contributions from budding emcee Lil Yatchy. The lengthy credit list certainly paid off, providing the dynamic duo with simplistic, yet hard hitting beats to rap over. The opening track of the project, “Rich Flex,” represents what makes up the core of Her Loss’ choices in beats. Crafted by Tay Keith and others, the beat spurs a cruising vibe, one that is only enriched by the laidback flows of 21 Savage. However, the first track adds in a sudden beat switch, sliding the song into a bass heavy banger. Throughout the album the production remains consistently smooth, allowing for Drake and 21 Savage to take advantage in their lyrical approaches.
While the production adds a support piece to Her Loss, 21 Savage also takes a smaller role than expected. At times, it appears as if 21 Savage was more of a feature artist through the course of the album rather than a collaborator with Drake as advertised. But, just as 21 Savage says that he could “jump on your song and make you sound like you the feature,” he manages to give Drake that same fate, overshadowing Drake on many of his own tracks.
But the project also signifies a significant thematic regression for Drizzy. Whether it be the influence of his partner 21 Savage — a hardcore Bloods-affiliated gangsta rapper — or even longtime collaborator Future — who has built up quite a reputation for misogyny — rubbing off on him, Drake is hellbent on hurling vitriolic insults at everyone he can. Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice, DRAM, Kanye West, and even the husband of Serena Williams ended up within the scope of Drake’s shots. Consistently, I could find myself getting lost in the mesmerizing production and Drake’s digestible, yet predictable flows only to be thrown off by his emphatically out-of-pocket disses.
In the grand scheme of things, this album is not a real step forward, or in any direction for that matter. Sure, Drake has kept his sinking ship afloat by finally producing an adequate hip-hop project, but he has put the album in the worst light due to its questionable lyrical themes. If Drake was willing to take more musical risks, such mishaps could have been avoided. Instead, Drake profits off of a lack of innovation and plain immaturity. Perhaps the expectations for him have been too high for too long.
Featured image from “Her Loss” – Drake, 21 Savage on Spotify.
