The Drake and Future mixtape started off as just a myth. Like the Loch Ness Monster, it was often talked about, but had never actually been seen. It was great in theory: two of the hottest rappers out right at this moment were going to drop a collaborative mixtape. People often blew it off as another random internet hoax, like that J Cole and Kendrick collaborative album that's been talked about for years...
(Still waiting patiently).
However, on September 20th of 2015 the Drake and Future collab became a reality.
What a time to be alive.
And like most people who were anxious to get it, I listened to it the first chance that I got. But I soon realized that I would have to jump through a couple of hoops in order to listen to it. It was first released through a one time run through on Drake's "OVO Sound Radio" station on Apple Music. Sadly, I don't have Apple Music, so I listened to the mixtape slowly and out of order as the tracks leaked onto Tumblr individually.
I tried to absorb the music the best I could, but there were a lot of DJ shout-outs and messy attempts at cutting out all the bad words. I then waited until the album appeared on Spotify so I could listen to it fully and make my own opinion on the project as a whole.
So, after finally being able to listen to it, I was able to form my own opinion.
Here it is:
Before I get into how I feel about the album, I want to say right off the bat that it is a trap album first and foremost. If I had to measure the balance of influence from the two artists, I would have to say that it's 60% Future and 40% Drake. I feel the Future trap god, drug-infused vibe through Metro Boomin's heavy handed beats. If you're a Future fan first, you're going to love this mixtape. It's everything that you already know and that you're comfortable with.
Personally, I'm more of a Drake fan. And there's a lot to love here as well if you learn towards the Drake side more than the Future side. Even though the mixtape as a whole has more of a Future atmosphere to it, Drake's bars shined through. Over the past couple of years, Drake has been able to send tracks to hit territory through his co-sign alone (Versace, Tuesday, My Way etc.). Drake's star power is unmatched in the hip-hop world at this point in time.
Some of my favorite songs off of the mixtape;
Big Rings:
The chorus is super catchy and it's perfect for a party atmosphere.
Jumpman:
There's something about this song that I love, but I don't really know exactly what it is. Is it the one-word chorus? Is it the infectious beat? I don't know, but there is something about it that makes it great for a turn-up.
What a Time to be Alive is a mixtape that should be listened to at least once, especially if you're a Drake or Future fan. You may not like the whole thing, but there will definitely at least be some bits and pieces of it that you love. Sometimes it's good to turn off that analytical, scholastic brain and just have some good fun. I think that's what this tape is: good fun. It's not anything legendary or thought-provoking; it's a really good time. And that's perfectly fine.
