Was Anything Really the Same?
As I reflect on what my life was like during the release of Drake’s third studio album, I can comfortably say that nothing was the same. Relationships and people have changed, I myself am older and more mature since I first gave this album a run through. Some major themes of the album were that; time moves quickly, nothing is certain and things are always changing. Throughout the album Drake talks about how his relationship with old flames and new ones are different, friendships have changed due to his stardom, relationships with his father and between his father and mother are different now and how his hunger to become the greatest is stronger than ever.
The album’s marketing, cover and title were spot on but the music has lasted, going on almost a decade now. In what Drake has called his personal favorite and his most “concise” album in RapRadar interview in 2020, it truly is the Canadian’s Masterpiece.
Releasing on September 24th, 2013 through Cash Money Records; “Nothing Was The Same” was all that the internet was talking about upon its debut, “this ain’t nothing for the radio.. but they’ll still play it though, its that new Drizzy Drake man, thats just the way it goes” rang off on 105.9 FM, 97.1 as every radio station played the artists new album due to the artists universal playability. “NWTS” came two years after the rapper’s classic album, “Take Care” where there were a lot of comparisons, strong opinions and early dismissals. But as the album has grown like fine wine, it has only gotten richer.
The first track, “Tuscan Leather” continues to garner praise as Drake’s best intro track to an album. The production from long time producer and Drake’s best friend, Noah “40” Shebib, is a beat that I will never forget. Sampling Whitney Houston, implementing a beat switch and while being the album’s intro at just over 6 minutes long, was historic. Drake describes his producer 40 as going “Martin Scorsese” on the beat due to its length and creativity.
Revisiting this album was a treat and brought me to a sense of nostalgia as I remembered what my life was like when I first heard it. This album has time markers in itself with tracks like “Hold on We’re Going Home”, “Started From The Bottom” and “All Me”. Perhaps a true classic album is one that can provoke such nostalgic relief, allowing imagery to overwhelm the listener when going through some of these tracks.
In what truly are some of the Toronto born rapper’s best rapping tracks, there are also his best “pop” or r&b tracks as well. “Too Much” featuring singer Sampha, allowed the world to be introduced to the near perfect vocals from the underground singer. Jhene Aiko featured on two tracks and “From Time” is one of Drake’s most personal and self telling tracks. The features intertwine so well with the rest of the album and it was reaffirming Drake’s own comments that I mentioned earlier on this being his most concise album.
This album checks all the boxes. It gave the fans Instagram captions for a life time with songs like “Worst Behavior” and “Started From the Bottom”. It continued to serve the older generation of hip hop fans with tracks like “From Time”, “Wu-Tang Forever” and “The Language”. While also appealing to what Drake strives for the most when making music, making music for the girls. Tracks like “Own It” and “Come Thru” appeal to the predominant fanbase of listeners, which is females. The truth is that this album can be celebrated from personal listeners in the car or in their room, to pre-game songs, Weddings and so much more.
My personal favorite track is “Pound Cake/ Paris Morton Music 2” which features rap juggernaut Jay-Z. Jay-Z’s play on the word “cake” was so amusing to me in it’s original release that I still find myself reciting the lyrics from time to time. In this track it sums up the album’s theme, it is Drake with Jay-Z on his third studio album which signifies how far he’s come. In the intro sample to the song it says “Only real music is going to last… all that other b******* is here today and gone tomorrow.” Followed by the sweet serenade of an Ellie Goulding sample, in which is truly one of the greatest hip hop beats produced of all time, by fellow Canadian, Boi-1da. The second half of the song is rap heavy with a change of pace as Drake reflects on a past relationship with a girl referred to as “Paris”. Drake continues to talk about how he’s studied the game to a letter and believes he is doing it on a level that nobody else has done before. This song was originally supposed to be the final track on the album, as it was later revealed that Drake’s initial plan of the release was that this album can be played in reverse.
“Nothing Was The Same” not only should be referred to as Drake’s album, it should also be your next played, as it truly has something for all preferences on there. As a whole, it includes melodic songs, bodacious raps, stellar features, mixed with impeccable production. The music continues to last almost a decade old now and it is Drake’s ‘Masterpiece’. My rating for this rap classic, is a 9/10.
The Beat @APU 