After a three-year layoff from his double-album Scorpion, on the wee hours of Friday morning (Sept. 3), Drake released his long-awaited project Certified Lover Boy.
Clocking in at an hour and 26 minutes, Drake assembles a star-studded cast of features, including Jay-Z, Future, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, 21 Savage, and more. Unlike his predecessor, which boasted a bevy of singles before its release date, Drizzy didn’t release any records ahead of his sixth album. Instead, he kept fans enthralled by teasing the project’s features on billboards placed across various cities.
Oozing with a handful of ’90s samples, including a controversial interpolation of R. Kelly’s “Half on a Baby” on “TSU,” Drake channels his days of Take Care and Nothing Was the Same on the production front. And while Drizzy’s penchant for throwback samples takes precedent, Drake’s CLB doesn’t shy away from his favorite topics: women, success, and family.
On the 21-track project, he also continues his lyrical skirmish with current adversary Kanye West. On “7am on Bridle Path,” he sacks the DONDA MC after West posted his home address on Instagram last week. Despite his war-ready swagger, Drizzy inevitably finds a happy medium and gives fans everything they’ve been waiting for on CLB.
Check out our track rankings for his new album below.
21. “F–king Fans”
With PARTYNEXTDOOR on back-up vocals, Drake acknowledges his faults and realizes that his casual flings are causing his relationship to spiral. In hopes of breaking free from the doghouse, he apologizes to his previous partners for his constant slip-ups. Though bragging about fan love has always been a famous pastime for artists, here Drake shuns that notion and vows to do better.
20. “No Friends In The Industry”
On “No Friends in the Industry,” Drake’s onslaught against his contemporaries continues. While he doesn’t take direct shots at anyone specifically, he feels that his gripes are warranted, considering he remains a top target in hip-hop feuds. Still, this record won’t likely move the needle against his foes and better serves as one for venting.
19. In The Bible (with Lil Durk & Giveon)
Last year, Drake and Durkio tag-teamed on the triumphant Hot 100 collab “Laugh Now Cry Later.” “In the Bible” pales in comparison to the former due to its draggy tempo. However, Giveon’s performance later on provides much-needed steam to what was originally a lackluster effort.
18. “Fair Trade” (with Travis Scott)
After coming off their epic 2018 collaboration “Sicko Mode,” “Fair Trade” is a significant letdown, if only because Drizzy and La Flame took fans to an unmeasurable level the first go-round. While Drizzy’s smooth sonics are the highlight of CLB, here’s the one moment you wished he and Travis went nuclear on the production front.
17. “N 2 Deep” (with Future)
Drizzy’s love for Houston remains solid and alive on “TSU” and “N 2 Deep.” His affection for the city’s club scene — mainly the women — once again gets him in trouble. Luckily, Future is there to lasso him back into reality with his second appearance on the album, though it isn’t enough to save the love-drunk MC.
16. “Yebba’s Heartbreak”
Memphis upstart Yebba is quickly asserting herself as a volcanic force in alternative R&B with her soulful vocals. With a Grammy win to her name, Drake takes the backseat and gives her room to shine on the album’s interlude.
15. “Papi’s Home”
Drizzy’s “sons” might feel threatened by his hubris and casual s–t-talking on “Papi’s Home.” Along with boasting a smooth Montell Jordan sample, Drizzy enlists Nicki Minaj to ramp up his competitive spirit with her cocky commentary.
14. “Get Along Better”
At this juncture of his career, Ty Dolla $ign remains undefeated in the features department. After providing back-up vocals on Drake’s 2018 “Jaded” and “After Dark,” Ty returns and plays the perfect teammate for Drizzy’s moody “Get Along Better.” Drake and Ty string together another heartache, where they sing about preferring their mate’s bestie over their actual partner.
13. “Fountains” (with Tems)
Drake nabs another stellar rookie for his sixth album in Tems, who is conquering the summer with her show-stealing appearance on Wizkid’s “Essence.” Together, Drake and Tems are formidable, as they allow each other to shine on the slow-burning tune.
12. “Race My Mind”
What was previously a leak earlier this year, “Race My Mind” feels complete compared to its original version. After flashing moments of insecurities at the opening tip, Drake regains his composure and closes things out with an impressive verse about his fizzled relationship.
11. “TSU”
Drake rings the bell and delivers another anthem for ambitious college girls eying an exit from the nightlife. His words of encouragement inject a palpable sense of strength for up-and-coming dream chasers. (“Baby, just relax, I’m on your side.”) Sadly, the song now has a black eye due to fans learning of R. Kelly’s song credit.
10. “Way 2 Sexy” (with Future & Young Thug)
In 2020’s Dark Lane Demo Tapes, Drake, Future, and Thug joined forces on “D4L.” Here, they attempt to strike gold once again on the club-ready standout “Too Sexy.” Future’s clever interpolation of British group Right Said Fred’s 1991 hit “I’m Too Sexy” is the cherry on top and will undoubtedly find various homes on any upcoming TikTok videos.
9. “Love All” (with Jay-Z)
The seventh collaboration between Drake and Hov is a contemplative moment for two of rap’s elite. Instead of delivering glitzy verses about their storied careers, Drizzy and Jay exude the gravitas of war heroes anchored by their discipline and loyalty.
8. Girls Want Girls (with Lil Baby)
After supplying fans with a torrid collaboration on this year’s “Wants and Needs,” Drake and Lil Baby up the ante with their catchy earworm “Girls Want Girls.” Drizzy staples together an instant classic fueled by his sticky hook (“Girls want girls, where I’m from”), while Baby’s frenzied delivery helps him maintain his crown as a hip-hop’s go-to feature.
7. “Pipe Down”
If you’re looking for the ultimate sadboy record on CLB, “Pipe Down” takes the cake. Heartbreak Drake grapples with dishonesty and miscommunication on what’s left of his mangled relationship. Instead of trading shots with his partner, he seeks ways to minimize the tension, but to no avail.
6. “You Only Live Twice” (with Rick Ross & Lil Wayne)
Earlier this year, Ross teased his verse on Instagram, though many believed the record was for his forthcoming album Richer Than I Ever Been. The soulful production is reminiscent of Ross’ Telfon Don and finds the rap trio engaging in a lyrical assault. Playing off their YOLO mantra, it’s Wayne who wins the battle of the bars with his outstanding showing.
5. “The Remorse”
The six-minute outro is an excellent performance for those who enjoy the rap-heavy, pensive side of Drake. Besides paying homage to his OVO family, Drake comes to grips with his potential as a husband (“Can’t picture bein’ a hubby, finger too stubby to fit a ring on”) and dishes out advice to upcoming rappers eyeing the throne.
4. “7am On Bridle Path”
On “7am” Drake returns to his sacred “AM/PM” series and uses this particular record to square off against his nemesis Kanye West. With no chorus, Drake seemingly aims at West and calls him out for his jealousy, previously posting his address on Instagram and more. Again, Drake has no qualms about prolonging his feud with West, rapping: “I could give a f–k about who designing your sneakers and tees/ Have somebody put you on a Gildan, you play with my seed.”
3. “Champagne Poetry”
Drake’s opening salvo begins with a jazzy introduction where he waxes poetics about his untouchable reign. While the intro mirrors his 2014 classic “Tuscan Leather” because of the song’s seamless beat-switch, Drake’s steady flow and thoughtful bars about the gift and the curse of success seals him another great intro. Brownie points for sampling Masego’s “Navajo.”
2. “IMY2” (with Kid Cudi)
Despite their quarrels stemming back from Drake’s “Two Birds, One Stone,” Cudder and Drizzy buried the hatchet and finally threaded together their first record. Saluting Juice WRLD at the start of the song, Drake and Cudi look past their indiscretions and are “focused on getting more.” The song also serves as a vehicle for Drake to relish his accomplishments, and how he’s finding himself as a man.
1. “Knife Talk” (with 21 Savage ft. Project Pat)
Once again, Drake and 21’s contrasting styles are match-made in heaven. “Knife Talk” easily bests their previous collaboration, 2020 Savage Mode 2’s “Mr. Right Now,” and gives the album a much-needed boost with its ominous flair and villainous tone.
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