Image via Complex Original
9.
Last night was special. The rap community sat around their computers as one of the game's top artists dropped one of the most anticipated projects in recent memory. Drake's VIEWS is 20 tracks deep and has nine features with seven of them being credited.
PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jeremih, the late Pimp C, dvsn, Wizkid, Kyla, Future, Rihanna, and Majid Al Maskati all contributed. The glaring omissions, though? For one, Popcaan didn't make the final cut on "Controlla." Also, Kanye West and Jay Z are absent from "Pop Style." Drake was really vague when the subject of The Throne came up during his Zane Lowe interview on Beats 1, but we all know Drake and Jay's love of friendly subliminals.
While the album may have not lived up to the expectations for some, it's still a solid listen after the first couple of spins. As what seems to be turning into a tradition, we decided to rank each guest feature. Check 'em out below.
8.Wizkid
Song: “One Dance”
Wizkid got a check to sing two bars. Salute! Drizzy wouldn't let Jiggaman get away with the same, though. The Nigerian gives the track that authentic island feel during his faint bridges. This song should be 15 minutes long because it's so good.
7.Pimp C
Song: “Faithful”
This is an egregious waste of a Pimp C verse. His contribution has nothing to do with the theme of the song. Drake should've put him on one of his slick talking tracks.
6.Rihanna
Song: “Too Good”
I think Drake is stuck in the friend zone like Han Solo frozen in time. I mean, they did date briefly, but RiRi just wants to be friends. Both have great chemistry, though; maybe she's why Drizzy has adopted that island accent.
5.PARTYNEXTDOOR and Jeremih
Song: “With You”
Jeremih came through to lay a couple bars like Hov did on the original version of “Pop Style.” Not a bad way to make a living. Let's get to PND, though. I was really prepared for Drake not to appear on this song. Party isn't the best singer, but his vibe and melodic flows are undeniable. He has some biters in the game in terms of sound.
4.dvsn
Song: “Faithful”
THIS IS R&B. When he hit that high note towards the end, I fucking lost it. Dvsn has one of the best R&B records out with Sept. 5th. Go cop it or stream it, you won't be disappointed.
3.Majid Al Maskati
Song: “Summers Over Interlude”
Majid got the solo opportunity like Common on Late Registration. I usually don't fuck with the Majid Jordan tandem, but, man, this is beautiful. Homie is on his young Al Green, so you have to tip your cup 'o Henny to 'em. This is bag a shorty music.
2.Kyla
Song: “One Dance”
Kyla sounds like an angel. I ascend to the heavens whenever she pops up on this. Her vocals were supposed to be sampled at first (here's the original track), but Drake and crew decided to have her come in and record them live. The moral of the story is, my soul will be snatched by Caribbean women all summer '16 to this track.
1.Future
Song: “Grammys”
Hendrix continues to wash Drake on collab songs. "Grammys" is Future's song now. His flow is effortless, although I do wish he would come with a different sound eventually. The ignorance comes out when you hear his voice on a track. I too won a Grammy after hearing this and so can you. Let Nayvadius be your savior.