Drake - So Far Gone (Mixtape)

In 2001, Aubrey Graham was Jimmy Brooks, one of the many students attending television’s favorite Canadian high school, Degrassi. In 2004, Jimmy was confined to a wheelchair, having been shot in the back. In 2006, Jimmy became Drake, the suave, multi-talented entertainer who would soon be signed to Young Money Records and become wall candy for many a young girl’s bedroom.

So Far Gone, Drake’s mixtape/album affair is not just a random collection of scattered verses over popular beats. No, in fact, So Far Gone has just about as much depth as the TV show we first saw the rapper/singer/actor in. Playing more like a musical than an album, So Far Gone tells a story, and rarely deviates from its abstract format. The spacey instrumentation and smooth delivery of this 17-track deep vignette provide easy listening that most should be able to enjoy. Oh, and don’t worry fellas, you can play this around your old lady too.

So Far Gone opens with the minimalist, fairy-tale like song Lust For Life. While Lust plays more so the role of an introduction to the next track, it stands very well on its own. The phrase verbally descriptive doesn’t do Drake’s rhymes justice here. The rapper shows that he can certainly paint a picture with his lyrics. “It’s funny when you’re comin’ in first, but you hope that you last,” is just an example of the subtlety of the metaphors displayed throughout this song as well as the entire album. Lust For Life transitions into a song that’s become something of an internet single, Houstatlantavegas. The ballad about a stripper is not as vulgar as its description suggests. Melodic and passion filled, Houstatlantavegas allows Drake to stretch his vocal muscles more than most rappers, showing off his singing voice here predominantly. In fact, it’s when Drake stops singing, and starts rapping, that this song loses its flair. The balance of rapper/singer is much better on the next track, Successful, that features veteran rapper and vocalist Trey Songz, as well as a prerequisite verse from Lil’ Wayne. Although the song’s chorus parlays on money and women, Drake’s verses tell a story laden with sorrow and hardship. Hard times with his mother, the stress of being on the road for months at a time, and even failed attempts at love lace this track’s content. Wayne is mostly forgettable here.

Let’s Call It Off is a break up ballad that samples Swedish indie pop group, Peter Bjorn & John’s 2006 single of the same name. An apparent departure from the sounds presented thus far on the album, Let’s Call It Off still manages to not feel out of place when Drake lays his words over top of it. November 18th, which samples one of The Notorious B.I.G.’s most memorable lines, is easily one of the album’s smoothest tracks. Flipping between his regular rapping voice, a screwed up variation of it, and finally showcasing his higher-end vocal skills, it’s almost as if there’s three different acts tied to this production. Ignorant Sh*t, another song that steals the beat and title from a pre-existing song, feels like it was stuck in the middle of the album randomly to add more strictly rap tracks. While the verses from both Drake and label boss, Lil Wayne, are exceptionally delivered, it doesn’t save the fact that the song’s presence breaks the flow of the CD. Word to Vince Lombardi.

Returning to it’s slower programming, A Night Off will probably be the soundtrack to this generation’s coming baby boom. Sensual, seductive and unthreatening, it doesn’t hurt that Lloyd features here. Turning the emotional dial again, Say What’s Real is a song that fans have heard many times already. Nevertheless, it is a nice rendition of Kanye West’s Say You Will and worth a listen or two. Swedish vocalist Lykke Li provides the backing for “Little Bit,” a remixed ode to puppy love. The catchy tune isn’t heavy in lyrical presence but still makes the head nod. In May, Drake’s first single, Best I Ever Had, began garnering radio play. The ringtone happy song is both radio-friendly and pleasant to the subwoofers with it’s bassy sound. Other notable songs here include Uptown, a classic “rep your city”-type track that features Bun-B and, again, Lil’ Wayne, and Sooner Than Later, a heartfelt apology track. Drake truly does have a song for every occasion. Although many of the beats and song concepts are borrowed, So Far Gone stays consistently well paced and entertaining. Drake’s major label debut, Thank Me Later, is set to drop this winter, and while he has stated that it will differ from So Far Gone, Drake has still managed to set the table and build his fanbase for his entry into commercial urban music.

9/10

You can download So Far Gone here if you haven't already...