Art is subjective. There’s no right or wrong. Just keep that in mind as the reviews of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy begin to churn out in the next couple of days. The 21-track, hour and a half album is full of surprises and features, including that of Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, GIVEON, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Project Pat, Tems, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Kid Cudi.
For the hip hop driven, I would say there are eight standout tracks that could easily parse out into its own album and be a hit with listeners. In my opinion, Certified Lover Boy, the shortened version, would contain “Love All,” “Way 2 Sexy,” “No Friends In This Industry,” “7am On Bridle Path,” “Fountains,” “IMY2,” “F*****g Fans,” and “The Remorse.” It doesn’t mean the other songs don’t have value, the first four tracks of the album definitely are noteworthy, but these are the absolute soul-stirring, sh– talking, tea spilling tracks that wakes the spirit and inspires creativity.
Overall, the album gives exactly what we would expect from Drake, superb production, compelling stories, and a host of slow-tempo bops. Most songs fall in categories of horny, holy, or heartbrokenness.
Here’s the cliff notes to Drake’s Certified Lover Boy:
Champagne Poetry
Why is Drake still looking for his soulmate? On the melodic “Champagne Poetry” he raps, “My Soulmate is somewhere out in the world just waiting on me.” Well, he had a chance to be with Rihanna, Jorja Smith, and Nicki Minaj. In Tyrese’s voice, “What more do you want from us?”
Papi’s Home
The crooning rapper feels a way about at least one Roc affiliated person. Can you guess who it is? He shares the heartbreaking revelation on “Papi’s Home” when he says, “Used to wanna throw the rock up, N—- know how i rock now.” The song features Nicki Minaj, reminding listeners of the days before Cash Money/Young Money was the subject of fodder for the publicized inter-fighting of its two boss hoggs, Birdman and Lil Wayne.
Girls Want Girls
Drake celebrates girl-on-girl action with LGBTQ+ friendly track “Girls Want Girls,” featuring Lil Baby. To be honest, for rappers, it’s not a far stretch to like lesbians, given that threesomes and orgies seem to be a fantasy come true for them. What would’ve been more progressive in 2021 is if Aubrey Graham featured Lil Nas X on the single, stirring the pot and normalizing acceptance of the more “taboo” boy-on-boy action, further rejecting homophobia toward gay males. He shouldn’t be forced to, but it’s just an idea.
In The Bible
Could Drake be influenced by Kanye West in the most holiest of ways? Four tracks into the album, Drake delivers “In The Bible” with guest features from Lil Durk and GIVEON. It would be the second time Drake made a reference to Christianity — in “Champagne Poetry” he raps “Seen too many brothers get 25 from the boys | I’d rather see all of em get 25 from the lord.”
Love All (Bema’s Pick)
“Love All’ starts off with a voiceover usually reserved for recapping the previous episode of a television series by saying, “Previously on Ready To Die” — an ode to the legendary album from Notorious B.I.G. If Drake was shooting shots at the Roc, he certainly didn’t mean it for Jay-Z, who is featured on the song. Together, they share the heavy crown of being at the top of the game. Talks of burning bridges and prices on heads permeate through the slow-paced banger. Sure to be one of the popular songs off of the album, Jay-Z chooses bar violence, “Best thing I could do is not build with you, when I could destroy you, that takes some f—ing discipline.” I feel you Jay, I feel you.
Fair Trade
Featuring Travis Scott, “Fair Trade” is about gaining through loss. It’s relatable and reflective, and ironic. One bar that stands out is when Drake admits “Imitation isn’t flattering, it’s just annoying me.” One of the realest truths ever spoken by a creator of art. Oftentimes, people who steal the ideas of others will mutter the shameless phrase, “There’s nothing new under the sun,” or “Step your game up.” But, let’s keep it real — how about you step your game up and find your own lane, partner? Drake has been copied since he stepped on the scene, and even has been accused of borrowing the drip, sauce, swag, and style of behind the scenes or up-and-coming artists, most notably XXXTentacion, The Weeknd, and that long lost ghostwriter guy.
Way 2 Sexy (Bema’s Pick)
Every time Drake and Future link, the record is going to hit with consistency. On “Way 2 Sexy,” Mr. Graham samples Right Said Fred’s comically narcissistic anthem “I’m Too Sexy.” What possessed him to do that? Most likely, his new gym body has garnered him a greater appreciation for fashion and jewelry, and I’m not mad at him. It helps that Future and Young Thug jump on the heavy-bass beat. Admittedly, production is magnificent and definitely worth car radio play and the gym playlist.
TSU
Thank God, Drake still loves Houston. It warms my Texas-made heart every time he gives my hometown a shoutout. He’s been loyal to a fault, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I mean “TSU,” which kicks off with a chopped and screwed Michael Watts shouting out all the staples of Texas life, seems to be more about Drake’s obsession with Houston’s world-famous exotic dancers, but us other Houstonians will take what we can. Just piecing the story together, the object of this song went to Texas Southern University, modeled for Fashion Nova, and met the Canadian sliding down a pole at a strip club. At the end of the day, it’s great storytelling and a good segue to another Houston-inspired track…
N 2 Deep
The eargasm is convulsing with every throwback sample of Texas’ greatest. To my delight, Drake samples Bun B’s “Get Throwed” from his 2005 album Trill that included Houston heavyweight Z-Ro on the hook, the legendary Pimp C, Atlanta’s own Young Jeezy, and of course, the goat Jay-Z. Another track with Future bringing his southern flair, “N 2 Deep” is a laidback cut dedicated to another broad that Drake refuses to name. The suspense is killing me. With potential to be a stellar reimagining of Bun B’s hit song, Drake did just enough for it to be acceptable, but it didn’t break barriers or go the extra mile.
Pipe Down
At this point of the album, I’m worried about Drake. It seems like he has 99 solutions and a b—- ain’t one. On “Pipe Down” he raps, “How much I gotta spend for you to pipe down | How deep I gotta dig for you to pipe down | All the things I’ve done up until right now | I need a thousand pages just to write it down | Writing down these feelings it’s been overdue | Don’t know how many pens it’s gonna take to get over you.” It’s a testimony to all the riches and fame in the world not being enough to end the world of relationship problems. It’s a good song to listen to when you’re mad — and alone somewhere. With every song, the burning question remains, “Who is Drake talking about?” But, maybe it’s none of my business.
Yabba’s Heartbreak
Drake and Yebba come together for the piano laced, heart drencher “Yabba’s Heartbreak.” Easily a serenade made for a bride and groom dance at a wedding, Yabba sangs, “You may not know right where you’re going, but I do | And all the times you were not chosen, Well, I’ll make it up to you.” Sweet, simple, and short.
No Friends In The Industry (Bema’s Pick)
He’s back. After falling deep into the rabbit hole of love and lust, Drake returns with a hard-hitting, fast-paced jam with “No Friends In The Industry.” It’s another track that leaves listeners speculating who Drake is targeting with his words promising to owe his enemy “something back.” But, when he drops the clues, “All them tweets and all them posts | Ain’t got the type of time to be playing with you folks,” one can only assume it’s the heavy posting rapper Kanye West and possibly, Pusha T, who also enjoys the delights of social media…Guess, we won’t know until he tells us. In the meantime, “No Friends In The Industry” is a solid one. By the way, for a moment, he sounded like the rap artist BIA…
Knife Talk
Drake’s got deep roots. We all know his father resided in Tennessee. So, it only made sense for him to feature Three 6 Mafia alumnus Project Pat for the Metro Boomin produced “Knife Talk.” 21 Savage appears on the track rapping in the same cadence that made Project Pat famous. Honestly, the seemingly experimental song tests boundaries (and my nerves) resting on a continuous beat loop and a monotone 21 Savage. I imagine every one will love it for these reasons, but it’s not my fave.
7am On Bridle Path (Bema’s Pick)
There’s no denying that he’s definitely talking about his music nemesis on “7am On Bridle Path.” Drake’s in his zone and, clearly, still peeved about some folks playing with his son’s name. He unapologetically claims his rap throne and in the process defecates on all the OG rappers that fell by the wayside and/or only appeal to the young kids. This single is the moment that Drake breaks away from humble pleasantries to really say what he means in the most offensive way, and I love it.
Race My Mind
On “Race My Mind,” Drake code switches between singing and rapping, offering his vulnerability (and love language) on a platter. However endearing, it’s personal enough to exclude the listener from participation in the story. It’s nice. It’s whatever.
Fountains (Bema’s Pick)
Here Drake goes again showing us how in tune he is with the next wave. He teams up with Nigerian singer Tems on the seductively hypnotizing “Fountains.” The No. 16 track is the quintessential Afrobeats single that complements Drake’s signature style. He thrives in this genre of music. At times, Drake unleashes an edgy, back-of-the-tonsils burp. I’ve heard it before in Afrobeat music — for instance, the same inflection can be heard on Beyonce’s “Don’t Jealous Me” featuring African artists Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, and Lord Afrixana. Tems doesn’t disappoint as she effortlessly leaves her distinctive imprint all over Drake’s goods.
Get Along Better
“After Dark” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Static Major from Drake’s fifth studio album Scorpion released in 2018 is a classic that may not receive its just due until years later. So, when Ty linked with Drake again, I knew it would be a morsel of pleasurable escapism…and that’s exactly what was delivered. A slow-grinder with a sexy delivery, “Get Along Better” is one of those songs that sounds like a love song to mate to, but in reality, it’s a diss. It made me chuckle a bit. Drake’s on one.
You Only Live Twice
Starring superstar rappers Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, “You Only Live Twice” has bars. It’s just that it sounds like 2008. Was this a track in Drake’s vault that he never released? To further drive this point, Lil Wayne goes off and is easily the standout performer on this song, sounding exactly like he did when he was at his peak in the rap game a few years back. The song doesn’t seem like it fits on Certified Lover Boy.
IMY2 (Bema’s Pick)
Round of applause for “IMY2.” Kid Cudi graces us with his rare presence, which is shady in itself. Kanye West’s GOOD Music prodigy has worked with the 808s & Heartbreak artist since 2008. In 2018, Kid Cudi cut Kids See Ghosts, a collaborative album with West. Was Drake being petty placing this song on this album? If he was, he shouldn’t regret it. It’s a bop.
F*****g Fans (Bema’s Pick)
“F*****g Fans” is a sleeper hit. Don’t skip it. Give it time and listen closely. You, too, will appreciate it’s dynamic flow, storytelling euphoria, and unique production. Drakes delivery on the ticking bomb single — well, it should be a single — is his signature style that most ladies loved Drake for, and a lot of men complained about. Perfectly honest, Drake holds no bars, “I was out here f—–g fans I was shameless | Yeah and I know that | You was at the crib reading stories that they sent you | Most of that was bulls— but some of it I did do | Hard for me to justify the women I was into | Especially when the whole entire world wished they had you … Then I had a kid even though I never planned to.” Drake hit it on the nose. How many rappers can relate?
The Remorse (Bema’s Pick)
“The Remorse,” the 21st and the last track on Certified Lover Boy, is another bar certified contribution from Drake. He leaves it all on the mic before he proceeds to drop it on the heads of his haters. One of the standout lines? When he calls out a dry-behind-the-ear radio host. “From the lemon faced radio host that love to be bitter,” he raps. Is he referring to Hot 97’s Ebro and them, or Power 105.1’s DJ Envy? Who has a lemon face, Drake? He’s too funny, but all so serious at the same time. He also takes time out to address people who have continuously tried to sabotage his career by saying its ended before it even began. “Like how they telling me I’m done when I’m in my prime.” He also shows love to his crew, including his son, 40, Noel, Niko, CJ, Chubbs, and Mark. It’s a nice ending to a pretty exploratory, and often confrontational journey.
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