Drake's New Album "For All The Dogs" Is Finally Here. My Review.
After many delays and rescheduled release dates, Drake finally released his 8th studio album, For All The Dogs this morning at 6 am. And it's pretty fucking good.
Marking his first solo album since 2022’s Honestly Nevermind (which was pretty forgettable), For All The Dogs features his latest Hot 100 No. 1 single “Slime You Out” featuring SZA.
(Drakes 2nd verse on this track is fire)
The song marked Drake’s 12th No. 1 single on the Hot 100, tying him for fifth all-time. His latest feat moved him closer to surpassing Michael Jackson for the most among solo males, as the King of Pop sits at 13. Which is pretty fucking crazy when you think about it.
People are flipping out online that Drake lied to fans when he said there was a song coming with him and longtime Young Money collaborator Nicki Minaj (it might be coming out on her next album, people need to relax). But this album is 23 freaking tracks long, spanning almost an hour and a half. The record features appearances from Bad Bunny, 21 Savage, Teezo Touchdown, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chief Keef, Sexxy Red, Lil Yachty and a special contribution from Drake's son, Adonis.
Drake released the gospel-tinged track with his son, “8AM in Charlotte,” yesterday to the surprise of everyone.
The video for the track co-stars the rapper’s five-year-old son, Adonis, who opens the five-minute visual by showing off a cute drawing he made for his pops. “Tell me about your beautiful piece of artwork that you sold me,” Drake says to his son, who goes on to describe a tale of a goat running away from monsters amid images of flaming flowers, race cars, and jail stairs.
“Daddy’s name is next to the goat, does that mean that he’s the GOAT?” the MC wonders. “Yes, so it’s Daddy GOAT,” Adonis confirms. Clearly already a chip off the old block.
We didn't get the Pusha T diss track everyone speculated was coming when Drake released this tracklist and we all saw the leadoff song titled "Virginia Beach". (Thankfully to be honest. We don't need Pusha T. going ham on Drake again). Nor did we get the much anticipated and speculated Frank Ocean collaboration we all hoped was coming. But what we did get, out of the "Virginia Beach" opener, was a Frank Ocean sampled song ("Wiseman") that opens the album and not so much as sets the tone, but gets the crooning out of the way for Drake.
We also, for some reason, got Kevin Durant listed as doing A&R for the album.
Drake is credited as an executive producer alongside Noah “40” Shebib, Oliver El-Khatib, and Noel Cadastre.
If you took Drake's past four albums, including his record with 21 Savage, and put them under a microscope, it's safe to ascertain that he's experimented with various different styles on each. Displaying different sides of himself while doing so. (Most notably on Certified Lover Boy, and Honestly, Nevermind). On this project, For All The Dogs, he's taken that all and combined it all together to form a new, but still very familiar sound. Haters will say this is "the same old Drake", but that's exactly what he promised fans months ago when people were complaining they missed "old Drake". Though I don't think this stacks up anywhere near his old Drake material (which was fire), I do love the energy and gusto he has on this album. For anybody who was questioning Drake's greatness recently, (such as myself), For All The Dogs serves as a reminder that nobody should.
After the first listen, here are my top 3 tracks.
#1 - "First Person Shooter" featuring J. Cole
Would you believe it? After 10 years these two finally got back together on a track? And it's absolute flames. Even more insane is the fact they just finished recording J. Cole's verse a few hours ago.
Between J. Cole's verses where he says “Love when they argue the hardest MC, is it K-Dot, is it Aubrey or me? We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammed Ali” and him referencing the Spider-Man meme saying that it's based on him and Drake, Cole steals the show.
This is one of the best songs Drake has ever released. We need a full collaboration project from these two in the future.
#2- "Rich Baby Daddy" featuring SZA and Sexyy Red
Nevermind the giant question of how this chick Sexxy Red just appeared on the scene and somehow gets a feature on the biggest rapper in the world's new album, this song fucks. Mainly thanks to Drake and SZA sounding so great together.
#3- "Gently" featuring Bad Bunny
This one features a Dembow rhythm, and will be heavy in the clubs.
Overall, after the first run, I give this album a 7.5.