Mr. Aubrey Graham has been pushing hard for the April release date for his highly anticipated Views From The 6album for quite a while now. Considering the explosive 2015 Drizzy had, he teased his eventual dominance earlier this year through “Summer Sixteen” alongside a high-profile feature on Rihanna’sAnti chart-topping single “Work.” Obviously inching closer to letting loose his fourth full-length album into the world, he’s dropped not one, but two joints displaying two specific sides.
Getting Jay Z and Kanye West as The Throne together again for “Pop Style” is Drake doing his best shit talking possible. The other is a more radio friendly “One Dance” featuring Wizkid and Kyla that’s sure to another mainstream hit for the Toronto native. Are they any good? Well, HipHopDX Managing Editor Trent Clark and Senior Features Writer Ural Garrett give their thoughts on two surprise digital drops from October’s Very Own and Drake’s Views From The 6.
Is “Pop Style” and “One Dance” Evidence Of Drake’s “Summer Sixteen” Revenge?
Trent: Time has told us that leaning on loosies to get a clear depiction of an album is like trying to pinpoint the North Star in the thick of the forest, but as of now, Views from the 6 is looking pretty lost without a compass. Even Drizzy with all his hitmaking glory couldn’t foresee the cultural impact “Hotline Bling” would have on the world and probably wishes he could have the record tied-in with the album buzz cycle. Putting international powerhouses Wizkid and Kyla inside CONUS eardrums on “One Dance” is cool and all but if the sizzle doesn’t equal “Hotline Bling” (or “Work” for that matter), it’s simply just an “E” for effortless. And how long can Jay Z and Kanye West refer themselves as The Throne if the weight of their crowns keep them planted on their ass? Kanye’s brief cameo on “Pop Style” was dope for what it’s worth but dare I say Jigga is a bit intimidated to get busy next to Drake in this day and age? We’ve been so busy rewinding the verse that it’s easy to forget that “Pound Cake” is damn near three years ago. Jay’s accomplishments have given him the right to be enamored in rust (and all other precious metals he wishes to buy with his black card) but hey, friendly competition will always appease the fans. We’re still looking for that revengeee, Jay.
Ural: At this point in his career, Drake could record himself on the toilet having a diarrhea episode from bad Taco Bell and the masses would cling to it like a masterpiece. Drizzy has worked with both Ye and Hov on separate occasions. Bringing them together as The Throne was an inspired decision to officially place himself within that conversation since the post-ghostwriting controversy. Sure, his lyrical integrity is shot, but he’s still making money like he’s one of the greats. Having The Throne on a track serves as another indicator of that. For heaven’s sake, Jay drops two bars and Kanye does, well, Kanye. It’s nothing more, nothing less. “Pop Style” will be worshipped by many because of the sheer novelty of its exclusive guest list. Other than that, it pales to the fire that “Summer Sixteen” promised. This is what makes the release alongside “One Dance” so fascinating. Clearly, “Hotline Bling” was a cultural phenomenon and Drake continuing that route with “One Dance” works better than trying to appease core rap fans. Adding Wizkid and Kyla makes even more sense. Who would have ever seen the moment where his vocal ability singing wise trumped his actual ability to rap? Earlier on in his career, singing was something learned on the fly. It was never a standard feature to his creative toolset. Sir Graham probably won’t be seen anymore as a top tier lyricist following last year. But who cares, he dropped one of the biggest mixtapes of the year, came out on top against Meek Mill, got an Apple deal and made “Hotline Bling.” Though he’s transcended to the Mount Olympus of pop icons, his status within rap hasn’t been the same. I have a hunch he understands that by now as well. This means Views From The 6 could go any direction at this point.
