On October 24, 2015, Aubrey Drake Graham turned 29-years-old making it only appropriate to publish an article celebrating his music, life and success. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Aubrey (I’d like to think we’re on a first name basis) and I can personally attest to the fact that he is more than just a rapper. He stands out from the other artists in the Hip-Hop/Rap genre because he expresses thoughts that digress from the typical topics of sex and money. Yes, he has upbeat anthems such as “HYFR” and “Headlines” but his talent extends far beyond the basics which becomes evident through his emotional and personal songs like “Look What You’ve Done” and “Too Much”. What sets Drake apart from other rappers is his ability to open up about his struggles in a raw and honest manner, despite the criticism for being “too soft”.
Back in his Thank Me Later days, he was the underdog, the one to watch. No longer that wheelchair kid from Degrassi, Drake is now a cultural giant at the top of the rap game.His prominence in the industry elicits simultaneous respect and jealousy from the other rappers competing for a spot at the top of the charts.Drake is admired by most and envied by some (cough, cough, Meek Mill). The Meek Mill feud proved to music fans everywhere that instead of resorting to childish ways such as firing shots on twitter, he headed straight to the studio to record hits like “Charged Up” and “Back to Back”. Drake is constantly improving as an artist and as a performer, setting the bar extremely high and creating competition with the other rappers in the game, and with himself.There is an immense amount of pressure on him due to the fact that his fans are aware of his talent and capability and constantly expecting something better than the next.
Much like the way there is a Taylor Swift song for every breakup, there is a Drake song for almost every situation. Whether you’re going to a party and need some pump-up music, or feeling emotional, Drake’s eclectic songs can serve as a soundtrack for just about everyone. That’s the mystery about Drake; that’s what keeps everyone wanting more. One minute he’s writing a love song about Rihanna, and the next he’s performing the fun, tropical-sounding Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Hotline Bling” that is rapidly creeping its way up to #1.
After coming off a successful tour, Drake wanted to take it to the next level as one of the headliners of Coachella. He wanted his Coachella performance to be talked about and remembered, but since a massive outdoor festival was not his typical setting, he was out of his element and people only ended up remembering his awkward kiss with Madonna. Since Coachella did not go entirely as planned, Drake was eager to prove his worth as a headliner at the Governor’s Ball music festival. He captured the audience’s attention from the moment he appeared on stage to the end of his set, cementing his reputation as one of the best performers in the music industry.
It is safe to say that Drake provides the songs for the ultimate playlist, the lyrics for the best Instagram captions (#blessed), and the timeless albums that bring joy to the lives of so many fans. As Drizzy turns 29, his fans know his best days are still ahead of him. So, while we’re all running through the 6 with our woes, Drake will be in the studio working on the next best thing: Views From The 6.
