“Certified Lover Boy” has taken the internet by storm since its release. The Canadian rapper Drake had his sixth studio album released by OVO sound and Republic Records on Sept. 3.
In the editor’s notes on Apple Music, Drake describes the project as “a combination of toxic masculinity and acceptance of truth which is inevitably heartbreaking.” The 21-song album features guest verses from a collection of well known rappers and artists, including Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Young Thug, 21 Savage, and Kid Cudi.
Following his double album “Scorpion”, Drake gives yet another long album, delivering a project that is over an hour in length. We get a variety of the different facets of Drake on CLB that are unique to this particular record. After more than a year of waiting and anticipation, this album release did not disappoint Drake’s dedicated fans.
There are moments on CLB of supreme capability, if not true exultation. Drake’s hook on “In the Bible” is a perfectly strong and suiting melody. The Right Said Fred flip on “Way 2 Sexy” with Future and Young Thug sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The Vinylz beat on “No Friends in the Industry” is something never heard before by Drake, making it one of the most unique songs on the record. Being such a highly anticipated album, what really makes Certified Lover Boy unique from some of Drake’s previous albums in the collaborations. Although including other artists on albums is not uncommon for many artists, Drake stepped outside of his normal comfort zone to create something truly unique.
It may not be a perfect album in any sense of the word, but there is just no denying that “Certified Lover Boy” is a strong record. Even with all the early summer setbacks, the album shaped up to be one of Drake’s better projects.
He’s rapping when he needs to and he’s singing when he needs to and there are Instagram captions and one-liners for days that will keep these songs popular for the foreseeable future. The features were some of his best collaborations not just on the album, but in general. Fans can expect any future tours that Drake creates around “Certified Lover Boy” to be a show stopper.
