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470,000 Albums I’d Rather Buy Than Drake’s
Ah, Drake. The grown man who happily refers to himself as “Drizzy” and still somehow maintains some sense of dignity (although, in fairness, it’s probably better than the alternative – Aubrey – but that might not actually be fair to say, either). The world seemed to go crazy about the former Degrassi star as he came from nowhere (without any help from Lil Wayne or Jay-Z, of course) and skipped right through the usual formalities of the music industry to find his way to the top of “urban” charts everywhere.
What’s been specifically interesting about the kid from T Dot though, has been his musical evolution. Initially donned a rap star armed with a cadence quite precisely modeled after his main squeeze (one, Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.), “Drizzy” has recently had some time to kiss and make up with his more estrogen-fueled fans, crooning at least as frequently as – if not more than – he’s rapped.
That’s not to be read too far into (it’s certainly no crime to show a soft side every once in a while, and I’m not expecting the kid to only slang heat rocks in a world where even Marshall Mathers feels the need to whine his way through every chorus), but I bring it up because reflecting on this path has recently made it clear to me why I’ve had a distaste for the guy for quite a while.
It’s not because I’m intrinsically opposed to his music (I don’t care for it, though), or because I’m holding some sort of grudge against Jimmy Brooks for pulling all the honeys from a wheelchair (he couldn’t get it up, anyway). Drake leaves a bad taste in my mouth because his popularity – all 470,000 first-week sales worth – is a reflection of how low our collective musical standards have become.
It wasn’t too long ago (or, maybe it was too long ago) that Drake wouldn’t have enjoyed the same success because the bar was at a much higher level. Case in point, the return of Ms. Lauryn Hill to the recent spotlight.
Much like Mr. Drizzle (er, Drizzy), Ms. Hill also forged her name as a primarily hard-nosed lyricist (one of very few successful females at the time, nonetheless, and arguably the best ever to do it) with a tinge for smoothing out melodies as a member of the Fugees. Her debut solo album though – again, much like the Canadian star’s – was full of crooning, and made a huge splash in many circles.
You see, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a smashing success, and it enjoyed mass appeal, but not because it was a pop record – because it was powerful. Because people connected with Ms. Hill’s words and her emotions.
Lauryn Hill’s music resonated with people without being watered down. It wasn’t made to please top-40 radio. It was undeniably a soulful hip hop record created by a true artist who had something palpable to express. If nothing else, it’s probably evident by her extended absence following the release of what’s sure to be the magnum opus of her rather short, but brighter-than-any-bling-you-ever-seen career (perfection can be exhausting).
Miseducation was embraced nearly universally as a triumphant, sexy, opera-like masterpiece. Drake’s success has come, in large part, due to the same sort of cross-over appeal that boosted Hill’s work to the forefront of music in 1998. Fans of mainstream rap, pop and sing-songing alike joined forces to force Thank Me Later to the top of the sales charts last week – but, not because it resonated in the same way Hill’s record did.
Instead, it fared well because it was made to do so. Drake’s music was created as a product of an entertainer — not the art of an artist — and Drake’s album was constructed with a cross-over audience in mind. It was full of compromise and scatter-shot mediocrity – what today seems to be the trademark of a successful album.
The fact that Drake’s album was so successful bothers me – as someone in love with hip hop – because it marks such a far divergence from the days of Hill’s success. Four-hundred and seventy thousand copies of Thank Me Later says to me that dull, uninspiring music has become the norm, with rewards awaiting those who dare to sacrifice meaning for more reach.
What Lauryn Hill accomplished has been rarely duplicated, because few artists can speak so fluidly to so many people. But, what’s been left over is the idea — the ability for an artist to take over nearly every genre of radio with one album or one single — without the talent and without the message.
What’s left is Drake. A product of the entertainment industry created to conform and achieve mass appeal. A hollow clone of what existed. And that, my dear readers, is why I will never endorse or support an artist like Drake.
Oh, and, if you’re still waiting, I’d rather buy 470,000 copies of Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation — or, maybe The Roots’ How I Got Over — than Drake’s album.
More articles from Letter From The Editor:
- What Makes It Hip Hop?
- The Return of Social Music?
- The Death of Legends
- Chasing the American Struggle
- Music As Expression vs. Music As Entertainment
37 Responses
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This is the blog for Tyler Hakes, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of aboveGround. I'll just use this for my general musings related to music, hip-hop, life and this site. I'll try to keep everyone up to date on what we're working on and how things are going. Feel free to leave comments with any questions or suggestions you have for us.
Peace, love, and real hip-hop.
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June 30th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
it’s very interesting. had a conversation about understanding how people on a mainstream level consume music. learning the formula for it and using it to be successful. as a scientist of sorts, one can potentially do the same, understanding how people internalize music whilst adding substance to whatever arrangement of vibration we happen to know people are generally lulled by… the magic of three chords plus a righteous tinge or what i call purpose driven music for the masses…
June 30th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
i agree, this is a good analyzation of the current state of the music industry and it has been this way for quite some time now. Oh well, at least there’s still some people like us who know whats good and fight the good fight. Now lets get the good back in the forefront, whats that gonna take???
pc. essential1
June 30th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I don’t agree with your blog. What scam? You want to talk about scams. How about Soulja Boy or anyone making songs about a dance and making money off the stupid rhymes that go along with it. Drake has talent on a level that I can respect and support now. And as he continues to grow, I will continue to support him. He didn’t just come on the scene. He hustled to get his passion out there, something that took four years. I’m really not understanding this constant hatred for him, time and time again, all this negative rhetoric. I’m glad he’s finally having his moment to shine. And maybe all of you need to watch the MTV documentary he just recently did. It was humbling, honest and personal, just like his lyrics. He tells his story in every rhyme. And if that was a marketing ploy to get me to buy, then SOLD. He was worth my $10 and I now get to listen to some good meaningful hip hop. The only thing I agree with is he is no Lauryn Hill or The Roots. He will never be in that higher category of hip hop. But I’m not going to think less of his craft because he reminds me of a JayZ, Biggie, or T.I. all who have crossed over into the mainstream. Blog about the REAL garbage whose marketing team wants us to do the Superman, Stanky Leg, the Duggie and to have Pretty Boy Swag. Ugh…
July 21st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Hello just came across your blog and been browsing around, do you also run another a game related site that looks a little this one?
July 25th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Its true rap is dead… where are the Onyx, Cypress Hill, Snoop, Rakim, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep, Nine, Heltha Sketha, BCC, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Wu-Tang, 50 Cent (1st album), Run DMC, EPMD, Redman, Tupac, Biggie, Big L etc… I can say I went to one of his events (randomly ended up there) and his fan base is a lot teenage girls. R.I.P. Hip-Hop we had a good run in the 90s back when the street chose artist and not the corporations that chose who they marketed… its a shame we end up with rappers whining in every other chorus. I heard the album and for the first 5 songs I was 100% sure I was listening to Lil Wayne till someone told me it was Drake.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:30 am
martymcfly if you seriously think drake and lil wayne sond alike your retarded. lil wayne has the most messed up voice ever, no one sounds like him.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
@martymcfly drake and lil wayne sound absolutely nothing alike, in style, lyrics or especially voice. you sound incredibly ignorant, saying something like that.
i disagree with this blog; Drake’s style is innovative and his lyrics daringly humble and personal. I don’t have his name on a T-shirt, but I have incredible respect for him as an artist, and really enjoy listening to his music, although this is not a component of my respect.
And for the record, I have had it with people bagging on “the low musical standards of today”. It’s called change, it’s called diversity, and you are what is called generic in your psuedo-sincere and original opinions.
September 16th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
yoo me in the buildin wassup
September 16th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
yo tru that ma mane dis post is so right!
September 16th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
yo me in da buildin wassuppp
September 16th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
yo this wassup mane true talk
September 28th, 2010 at 12:25 am
everything about this is so super on point. now i need to go dig out some lauryn hill.
October 7th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Nicole: I agree with nicole!!
October 7th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
@apocalips: Your so stoopidd!
October 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@anna: Your so totally right noww Drake is awsome youu guys are just hatingg on himm! Stoopidd people these dayz!
October 7th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@n8ster: Thats Right!
October 8th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Wait wait.. this is drake Ur talking about i hope u know? hes making tons of more money then you and hes one of the few rappers that doesn’t come out looking ”ghetto” He has no tats,He doesn’t always talking bout women, he finished school. This is someone who you should be bragging on but apparently people like you who is kids look up too and waht the generation today is a bunch of stanky no good trash talkers so maybe you should look up too him instead of tear down ;) so get it -reg
October 21st, 2010 at 10:15 pm
drake is cool with me man. i don’t see why you gotta hate on the dude he’s doing his thing and puttin it down hard for his dawgs. by the way you use way too many (parentheses) (just thought you should know)
October 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I totally agree with Reggie . Personlly i think that ur blog sucks and like Reggie said drake has no tags finished school and he hasn’t been arrested. Just because you don’t like drake or his music dosn’t mean u haveto go saying all this shit about him and how bad his music is. It’s ur own stupid opion and no one needs a dumb blog on it I was writing this while listening to drake and it,s his birthday today so happy birthday drake!!!!! And this blog sucks shit.
November 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
First off, I want to say that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Including you and myself… I completely do not agree with anything you have said in your blog. Drake is an amazing artist and a whole lot of people hate on him just because they could never be him. I love Drake and yet, he is my favorite artist. He is my favorite because I love hip-hop and because he is the one who makes the most sense in the genre. I know that you have said he has “gotten help” from Jay-Z and Lil Wayne but for your information, many record labels were wanting to add Aubrey to their label and he denied. He wanted to become a part of Young Money and one of the main reasons is that he looked up to Lil Wayne. Like I said, you are entitled to your own opinion… but before you are entitled to that…get your facts right. Peace, Happiness, and Love…
Drake’s Biggest Fan,
Heather (:
November 13th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Thank you… I’m going to add this to my bookmarks. If I may ask, what was it that got you started into blogging? To be honest I’ve just been catching on to this phenomena and it’s begun to inspire me to begin a blog of my own. I’ve tried but nothing that material has occured as of yet. You seem established, hints would be appreciated…
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:07 am
WOW… this is some ole bull shit. Drake is beyond innovative, creative and original. He definatly didnt just magically become what he is today over night. The man worked for years trying to get to where he is. The man has talent unseen in a long time. Take the time to listen to his lyrics, every word he says has meaning and if you cant relize that then you truley need to stop blogging about music because you know nothin on the subject. And i seen someone say most of his fans are teen age girls, well that is not so. There are millions of drake fans of all ages and both genders. And fuck it if girls like him, more pussy for my nigga. So yall calm the hell down and stop hatin on this man.
December 5th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
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January 11th, 2011 at 9:34 am
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January 14th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I like how all of those defending drake are females..and to those saying drakes lyrics have meaning LMFAO! His lyrics are pre-fabricated bullshit that only seems intelligent to the mainstream, brain-washed mind. As Binary Star put it in Honest Expression, “If you wanna make money, you got hip-pop..you got the Top 40 version of hip-hop.” Besides your on an underground hip-hop website, do you expect us to have “mad love” for a wanna-be pop star? Nah, take that shit over to an Mtv blog and talk about how drake and lil waynes romance..call me a hater, generic or whatever you want for calling out your idol..and no im not better than him at rhyming or entertainment, but I bet most of the artists i listen to are! Hip-hop did die with artists like drake but im not worried because now it lives in the underground!
For those of you interested in listening to some real and thought-provoking lyrics check out People under the stairs, Eyedea and abilities or youtube wax freestyles!
January 17th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
You guys really seem to know your stuff this blog of information was very useful.:)
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:52 pm
He is number two, second to Kayne.
April 23rd, 2011 at 7:15 am
my God, i thought you were heading to chip in with some decisive insght at the finish there, not leave it
with ‘we leave it to you to decide’.
April 26th, 2011 at 12:51 am
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April 27th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
April 28th, 2011 at 9:42 am
A well-written blog, I must say. I agree with the low standards, and the only thing I have to say about all the comments is this: if you disagree with the blog, why did you read it? The title clearly (at least) implies that Drake wasn’t going to be glorified in the blog. Good job, good job.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:28 am
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July 5th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
You happen to be tiny efficient movie star.
July 28th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
What’s wrong with just making music to enjoy? The Beatles- i want to hold your hand wasn’t exactly a deep piece but it was huge. Kiss- I just wanna rock and roll all night…. Some music is just for relaxed listening pleasure not contemplation. If i were in that mood I’d throw in some pink floyd or Muse. What are you going to attack next, the integrity of The Hustle?
August 19th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
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October 21st, 2011 at 11:48 pm
What an excellent interview. It had been extremely beneficial viewing several of the tactics and even similarities between selling a ebook and endorsing a blog site. I feel Sean has just got himself a fresh follower.
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