Mr. Aubrey Graham has been pushing hard for the April release date for his highly anticipated Views From The 6 album 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’s Anti 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.
Lmao at “but dare I say Jigga is a bit intimidated to get busy next to Drake in this day and age? ” I stopped reading at that point. Man try harder.
Can you mention that shitty hotline bling some like 5 more times?
Can you mention that shitty hotline bling song like 5 more times?
6 god is watching
Homo
pop style is far better then work
This was a very weak article
I enjoyed it and I kinda like both songs
Fuck you
Lol terrible article from an even terrible drake dick sucking writer lol jay-z intimidated to rap aside of Drake really ????How about jay-z recorded one bar for the song and Kanye played it for drake like bro you want Hov on this ???????????? no jay-z doesn’t want to be friends and when his next project drops listen for many drake shots as always drizzy will act like jay didn’t refer to him because it’s smart
Drake isn’t going to be recognized as a top tier lyricist but Jay Z is intimidated to rap alongside him?!?! I think this article lacks direction and was DEF a letdown!!!
I’m listening to that “CHARGE INTO THE GAME” Slikk The Shocker
Drake is a mid level boss. He ain’t Beyonce pop big, nor is he jay-z rap big, that nigga been average. He just knows some people who knows some people
Soooo many drake stan dick riders in the comments, lol. I can’t stop laughing. Drake is weak af as a rapper, over my dead body will he ever be in ANY top MC or rappers list ever. It’s a fact, he is a puppet, now the puppet master is gone (Quintin Miller), you get crap like this. These songs were wack. Yeezy and HOV were the only good thing about pop style. I just cut out Drake’s part his verses were that bad. SMH people genuinely think that Drake can be put in the same league as Yeezy, Hov, Wayne, Em etc.
Also, to say Jigga is intimidated by Drake, GTFO. How does that Drake dick taste after all those phone sex calls with the hotline bling bitches? Jay is top 5 DOA, ask any respectable hip-hop fan, Drake will NEVER be in that category, his beats are dumb, lyrics are fake, need I go on?
Also if your a Drake stan, I don’t wanna hear you shit, he was ok-ish back in ’08 but then fell off
I’m about to listen to TRU, I miss the good ole dayz.
Love how well Drake looks like he can throw a dick around. You just know he dumps majestic loads. Fire artist to boot
6 Fraud, this what you get when he try to write it himself!!!
Drake fans done went into hiding, usually they all over every article, blog, etc, riding his d!@k!!! Lmao!!! I new this was going to happen, when summer 16 came out!!! He need to just come out like Puff Daddy did and admit he don’t write, he just gets everyone together, start calling it Drizzy and the Family and call it a day!!!!!
Y’all hatin on Drake’s tracks yet you are all gonna be bumping his album when it comes out…tsk tsk
What I think is funny that is that the majority of people on here we’re calling out drake dick riders. It sounds like drake haters love to “dick ride” drake fans. Anyways this is a poorly written article with the analysis of a first time rap listener. Wait until the album comes out and try not to give a idiotic review to that either.
Why you exposing them like that, they weren’t ready
All of Drake’s albums are essentially the same. A little hip-hop, a little R&B, some pop, some strong features, tons of 40 production, and they’re all wildly successful. I’m under the impression that Views will be no different.
This article is full of failure and struggle. Stop saying he got the throne, Jay isn’t really on the song. You guys couldn’t even tell the truth, these songs are a disappointment. Summer ’16 was pretty disappointing too.
Opinion: Summer Sixteen was the opening credits for his summer long super hero bonanza of an album. Pop Style was timely marketing, co-opting Kanye’s current fervor, and One Dance was essentially a Work sequel. He’s promising hits, a battle with the greatest, and more dancehall centric stuff. If anybody knows how to market his stuff it’s Drake. If you like any of the above three than you’ll like the album.
I Like Pop Styles the other song not so much. Drake is killing the game right now though… Summer Sixteen and Hotline Bling alone is worth 5/5.
I liked Ye’s verse on Pop Style but I actually liked One Dance better
Jay Z isn’t in this song.
Dude said Drake’s shit is better than anything out there. Lol!!! Listen to the PRhyme album bruh. That’s what hip hop is. Amazing rhymes, insane wordplay, multiple flows, multi-syllable rhymes, beats that you can feel in your soul. Drake isn’t trash…but he should never be mentioned in a “Hip Hop’s Best” debate. You people are WAAAACK.
The first rap song ever was a non lyrical song that was ghostwritten lmao
So when people say “real hip hop” I always laugh cause most of them think that all of rap history happened in the 90s.
I think Jay-Z didn’t feel like getting on a track with 2 non writing rappers…Jay aint intimidated. oww hovs turning heads like owls…
Just letting you know ‘enamoured’ doesn’t mean what you think it does. It means to ‘have affection for/be in love with’. Jay Z isn’t in love with rust.
lmaooo
Ruined a UK Funky anthem!! Shit rapper and over hyped cack!!
Drake is not interested ion making rap music anymore. He is only interested in keeping his safe formula and making music. If you expect rap then you’ll be dissapointed as he will stick with what is working hence his new song with Popcaan, similar vibe of Rihana song.
Drizzy be writing his shit since he was a minor which there are videos of so why wont he be “considered a top tier lyricist”?
Lol Who are the “dxstaffs” tryin to appease by degrading Drake??
There is no way those are the best songs on views. It’s not Drake’s style to ejaculate early. Don’t forget he released IYRTITL without any promo or build up whatsoever and it would still smash almost any rap album released last year. All those commenting about how lacking Drake is as a lyricist or artist sounds like a lame old bitch at this point. Let go of the nineties there is a reason his music sells and it’s the same reason half the new artists coming out now try to sound like some version of him
Give me some hot lines that make up repeat a Drake verse or song. His music is cool, but again, it’s gonna age like shit. Tired of him being mentioned with the greats
Give me some hot lines that make up repeat a Drake verse or song. His music is cool, but again, it’s gonna age like shit. Tired of him being mentioned with the greats
I dunno about this… the reason I like Drake tracks is because the first 5 times you don’t even notice, but as soon as you hear it in the background it’s like you know every word. His stuff works on a low level, that’s why everyone screams in the club when it comes on. The albums never sound like you could even play them in a bar but as soon as you hear one of his tracks everybody stands the fuck and starts chanting. That’s my experience anyway… and I’m in Toronto LOL