Photo: Scott Dudelson(Getty Images)
It’s almost unrealistic how many songs Drake has published in the time he’s been on the scene. The main reason for that is that besides his four studio albums, he also released one extended play – So Far Gone (2009), and two commercial mixtapes – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015), What a Time to Be Alive with Future (2015). We take a look at the solo Drake mixtape If Your Reading This It’s Too Late, and revisit the best songs from this costumed album.
As that is what this collection of songs is, for sure, after all, it has 17 tracks. 19 actually, with the physical version two bonus tracks. Only two songs stand out from the vibe of the others on the mixtape, so the collection is in tune like an album should be. There are theories on why Drake called this collection of songs a mixtape, rather than an album. Either way, it’s a great listen, after all, Drake’s mixtapes, commercial and the earlier ones, are what made him the superstar he is today. This Dtake mixtape sold more copies in the first week than Nothing Was the Same, and that was a dope album.
Since most of these songs are available on YouTube, so links are not provided for all songs.
Drake Mixtape Top Songs
Energy
The most well-known song from this Drake mixtape for the simple fact that it is available on YouTube. A lot of the popularity has to go to the unique/weird music video which is also a gif mine. Of course, those are not the only thing that Energy has to offer as it is actually one of the most hyped up Drake tracks. It relies mostly on Drake’s vigor and lyrics, while the beat is almost non-existent up until it takes the limelight and gives a very hazy vibe after the choruses. All in all, it’s still one of the best Drake songs ever despite being simple.
6 God
Probably the fastest Drake track ever, which is definitely not something we’re used to from the rapper. The whole mixtape has more attitude than his other pieces of work, and not one track is more classically hyper than 6 God. In its instrumental, it reminds of the great tracks from the beginning of the century, but the flow is very new, very Drake. Even in this rougher Drake mixtape, we have mid-song tone switches, and that is the case in 6 God too, although it’s quite brief and natural.
6 Man
6 Man illustrates just how special this Drake mixtape is as it offers something unique from Drake seeing how he floats on this flow and truly plays with it. It’s also arguably one of the best Drake songs lyrically, with almost one whole verse being quite witty. 40 and Daxz are the producers of this slightly dark, distorted, laid-back beat that lets Drake’s flow be in the spotlight deservedly.
10 Bands
All Drizzy’s critics that keep repeating how the Canadian rapper only knows how to talk over sick flows people make for him definitely didn’t give this Drake mixtape a listen. Once again, Drake devours this track by constantly switching between very distinctive flows which works great with a simplistic, elegant beat. Somehow similar to Kendrick Lamar’s Swimming Pools, it’s a slightly less strong than Energy, which it precedes, giving the album a nice flow from the start.
Now & Forever
Church-like music with which the music starts sets the tone for this soft, spiritual track. Not soft in an almost femine way like the majority of more popular Drake tracks, mostly because doesn’t hold back his voice and shows its power for once. The instrumental is as simple as needed, different, as is the whole song, which is logical as it is the only one from this Drake mixtape that is produced by Dingus and Jimmy Prime. The chanting in the background resembles best moments of Kanye West the producer, yet it is completely original.
Star67
Two songs in one, which isn’t unimaginable from Drake, but he really goes all in with Star67. The first part is all attitude with a chopped up flow despite having a pretty laid back, flowy, smoky instrumental. In the second part the production focuses the listener on the lyrics with the beat resembling a hymn more. The other part is classic, usual Drake on a weird beat, and it works really well. This whole Drake mixtape was a fertile ground for experimentation.
Used To featuring Lil Wayne
One of the very few features on this Drake mixtape shows that he can easily slay the slightly older style that was in during the first decade of this century. Dirty in-your-face flow, and tons of attitude, it’s what rap used to be more and Drake brings it back with this track, alongside equally fired up Lil Wayne. WondaGurl produces this fire of a beat that enables both rappers to fire off some memorable shots into the mic.
Which track from the If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Drake mixtape do you like the most?
