After the record-shattering success and diamond footprint left by 2016’s “One Dance”, which saw Drake kindle a steamy bromance with African heavyweights, Wizkid and DJ Maphorisa, it was only a matter of time before the same wellspring called once more. And several hit albums down the Canadian icon’s richly decorated discography, the synergy between him and the doyens of African music has roped him back to mine more gems, seeing him show love to Grammy-winning Mzansi DJ, Black Coffee and Congolese-born star TRESOR, who produced a bulk of Drizzy’s latest—and most eyebrow-raising—album, Honestly, Nevermind.
Oh, and, uh, it’s a house album.
HN is a stark about-face from Drake’s mosaic history most know, especially early 2010s Drake, whose DNA was a helix of caustic lyricism and suave flows. And while sonic departures have breathed new life into other artists and their musicianship (Exhibit A: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar) and the man himself (Exhibit B: “One Dance”), there’s a certain unsureness about the 6 God’s seventh.
And the tentativeness has nothing to do with it being a house album—I mean, seriously. HN boasts the aegis of Black Coffee, TRESOR, Vinylz, and 40 – the best beats big money can buy. There’s a solid aggregate of influences mixed into the record’s foundation: R&B, techno, club, and some Drizzy Drake hip hop drizzling—a little something-something for everyone. And while the blend merits multiple spins, the uncertainty lingers. As sure and right as the sound selection is, the rapper’s approach in some tracks makes the marriage an uneven affair, not quite fully realizing the album’s full thrill.
Let’s go back in time.
Not many were surprised (except proud Africans) back when the Billboard Artist of the Decade dropped the Jorja Smith-assisted and Black Coffee-curated “Get It Together” from More Life (2017). At the time, Drake had already accustomed disciples and detractors alike to the taste of his more vulnerable flavour—the sensitive polar opposite persona of the cheeky yet endearing braggart. My point? He’s always been in sync with not only his softer side but also the relative ease with which he composes sincere earworms that are, well, non-hip hop. That’s the Drake frustratingly almost missing on the record.
The secure solipsism of “Get It Together” and the sultry arrogance of “Hotline Bling” are some of the absent elements on this otherwise well-assembled release, replaced with themes of melancholy, introspection, and spurned lover passive-aggression. The outcome? Some of the album’s vocal performances plateau, turning into droning monotone—”Falling Back” sees him spamming the eardrums with the same line (“Falling back on me”) almost until the dying embers of the track.
Listen to “Falling Back” here:
It’s no surprise that some of the highlights come from “Sticky” and “Jimmy Cooks”, featuring 21 Savage. Perhaps those acquainted with old Drake will appreciate both joints since they shun the album’s default setting. “Jimmy Cooks” sees him employ cutting one-liners delivered with an upturned nose (“Don’t tell me that you model if you ain’t been in Vogue“).
Oh, but there are some more shining moments, glimpses of Drake’s characteristic dexterity.
The hypnotic “Currents” co-produced by Black Coffee and TRESOR is one such moment—my personal pick. “A Keeper” sees him channelling old energy (“I found a new muse / that’s bad news for you / why would I keep you around?”). “Massive”, the TRESOR-produced jam, is as surefooted in execution as it is reminiscent of Calvin Harris’s 2013 house single, “Thinking About You”.
HN is an amusing musical tangent, one that requires to be unwrapped with an open mind for maximum pleasure. The man has always made sure to lace his previous tangential albums and songs with some sticky quality: something to dance to, pop bottles with, or think about. Drake’s music doesn’t merely elicit feeling—his music is feeling all in itself. In the case of HN, the memorable magic is the nostalgic boomerang back to African soil—admittedly, though, it only looks up – in a good way – to the unforgettable glory of other non-hip hop ancestors like “One Dance” and “Get It Together”.
Stream Honestly, Nevermind here
