Drake’s new album is a global celebration of music and culture

After months of anticipation, Drake finally released his eighth studio album, For All The Dogs, on October 6, 2023. The album, which was executive produced by South African house legend Black Coffee, features 23 tracks that blend Drake’s signature rap and R&B style with dance music influences from around the world.

Drake announced the album in June 2023, along with his co-written poetry book, Titles Ruin Everything.

He teased that the album would be a return to his old sound, saying, “They say they miss the old Drake girl; don’t tempt me.” He also revealed that the album would be accompanied by a book of lyrics and artwork by his son, Adonis Graham.

The album features guest appearances from some of the biggest names in music, including SZA, Lil Yachty, Yeat, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, Kevin Durant, and more. However, the featured artists are not credited on the tracklist, adding an element of surprise for the listeners.</p>

Drake experiments with new sounds and genres on For All The Dogs

For All The Dogs is a departure from Drake’s previous albums, such as Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind, which were criticized for being too formulaic and predictable. On For All The Dogs, Drake explores new sounds and genres, such as house, club, afrobeat, and reggaeton.

The album opens with “Virginia Beach”, a smooth and soulful track that sets the tone for the rest of the project. Drake sings about his love for his hometown and his gratitude for his success. He also references his father, Dennis Graham, who appears in the album’s trailer performing a live cover of “Crosscut Saw” by Albert King.

On “Slime You Out”, Drake teams up with SZA for a catchy and seductive club banger. The song samples “Slime” by N.E.R.D. and Pharrell Williams and features Drake and SZA trading flirty verses over a bouncy beat. The song was released as a single in September 2023 and became a viral hit on TikTok.

One of the album’s highlights is “IDGAF”, a collaboration with rising rapper Yeat. The song showcases Yeat’s unique flow and delivery over a hard-hitting trap beat produced by Carnage under his house alias Gordo. Drake praises Yeat’s talent and potential on the chorus, singing, “I don’t give a fuck what they say about you. You’re the next big thing and they know it too.

Another standout track is “Fountains”, featuring Nigerian singer Tems. The song is a smooth, sultry, afrobeat tune showcasing Tems’ angelic vocals and Drake’s rap skills. The song is about finding love in unexpected places and overcoming cultural differences.

The album closes with “Rich Baby Daddy”, a humorous and self-deprecating track that pokes fun at Drake’s lavish lifestyle and fatherhood. Drake raps about his extravagant spending habits and his relationship with his son Adonis. He also addresses some of his critics and haters, saying, “They say I’m too soft for this rap shit/But I’m still richer than your favorite rapper.”

Drake receives mixed reviews for For All The Dogs.

For All The Dogs has received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. Some praised Drake for experimenting with new sounds and genres, while others criticized him for being inconsistent and unoriginal. Some also expressed disappointment over the absence of some expected features, such as Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, and Project Pat.

However, despite the mixed reception, For All The Dogs has been a commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 613,000 album-equivalent units. It also broke Apple Music and Spotify records for the biggest opening-day streams on those platforms. It achieved the all-time record for the most US top-ten singles from one album (9), with its lead single, “Way 2 Sexy”, debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100 as Drake’s ninth US number-one hit.

For All The Dogs is available to stream on all major platforms now. You can also check out the book of lyrics and artwork by Adonis Graham on Drake’s official website.