Drake’s album “For All the Dogs” was released on all streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) on October 6, 2023. Drake dominated the charts and achieved the seemingly impossible by tying with the legendary king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, “as the male solo artist with the most No. 1s (13) in the chart’s 65-year history” (Billboard). In this article, I will be covering things such as the accomplishments the album had in its first weeks of release, some background on Drake, and what critics and RHS students have to say about the album.

Who is Drake?

Drake is a 37-year-old Canadian rapper/singer in the music industry since 2006. He began his music career by releasing his mixtape “Room for Improvement” (IMDb). His discography consists of, “eight studio albums, one collaborative album, three compilation albums, four extended plays, seven mixtapes, 141 singles (including 81 as a featured artist),live promotional singles, and 84 music videos” (Wikipedia Contributors). Drake’s undeniable musical talent is evident in his extensive discography and 17-year career, marked by chart- topping success and immense popularity. A notable album he has is a 2018 release called “Scorpion” with his lead single “God’s Plan,” which reached 1.5 billion views on YouTube.

Photo of Drake in his music video for the song “8am in Charlotte” (Pitchfork).

Chart-Topping Success

“Slime You Out” featuring SZA was released on September 15, 2023, as the lead single for the album, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard). The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 402,000 units (Billboard). All 23 songs on the album charted in the top 42 of the Billboard Hot 100, occupying the top 3, with “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole taking the No. 1 spot (Billboard).

Critics’ Perspective

Despite its success, the album has been getting mediocre reviews from critics. For example, a critic in Rolling Stone comments, “Drake meanders through yet another collection of superlong streaming bait. For All the Dogs may have its sparks. But too often, he settles for subliminal bars aimed at rivals like Kanye West and Pusha T, keeping it ‘gangsta’ by putting down women and, of course, filling up the piggy bank” (Rolling Stone). The critique implies that the album may prioritize controversy and financial gain over artistic depth.

RHS Q&A: “For All the Dogs” – Drake

What are your thoughts on Drake’s new album “For All the Dogs”

and what rating would you give it out of 10?

●Logan: “I think it’s pretty good, I love the song Rich Baby Daddy. I didn’t listen to the whole album, but from the songs I did listen to, I give it an 8 out of 10. Money for fun.”

● Brandon: “I think it’s pretty good, but some songs are not that good, so I would rate it a 6.5 out of 10.”

● Renz: “It’s generational music, one of a kind. It’s Drake, need I say more? It is simply perfect. It resonates with me as a person, 7 out of 10.”

● Tom: “6.5 out of 10. I thought it could be better because, in Drake’s songs, it felt like he was the feature.”

● Daniel: “Honestly, some songs are good and some are alright. The best one I’d say is Rich Baby Daddy and Calling for You because of the beats. Overall, I give it a 6.5 out of 10.”

In conclusion, Drake’s latest album “For All the Dogs,” has been a historical success, setting his status as a chart-topping artist alongside Michael Jackson. However, the album’s mixed reviews propose tension between commercial appeal and artistic depth. Feedback from RHS students mirrors this separation, with some finding it praiseworthy, while others thought there was room for improvement. The album remains subjective and showcases the diverse nature of musical preferences. Some of the students told us their favorite songs from the album.  You should go listen and find your opinion on them.

This is the album cover, it features a white dog with red eyes and a black background (Pitchfork).

Sources:
– https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_discography
– https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1013044/bio/
– https://www.youtube.com/@DrakeOfficial
– https://www.metacritic.com/music/for-all-the-dogs/drake/critic-reviews
– https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/drake-for-all-the-dogs/