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Thread started 03/26/17 4:47pm

kitbradley

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So What's So Special About Drake?

Other than the obvious good looks, am I missing something? He just broke a record with his new album "More Life", receiving over 300 million streams on Apple Music since March 18 and the album debuts in the #1 spot on Billboard Top 200 Albums with over 500,000 units sold, which means his album has been certified Gold right out of the gate? eek I've never followed him that closely. I've heard songs here and there and I didn't hear anything that made him stand out from all of the tens of thousands of other rappers out there. The only live performance I've seen is when he was on Saturday Night Live last year and it was pretty horrendous. So what about this latest album is so great that, in 2017, it was able to move 505,000 units so quickly?

"It's not nice to fuck with K.B.! All you haters will see!" - Kitbradley
"The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing." - Socrates
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Reply #1 posted 03/26/17 7:49pm

CynicKill

The obvious good looks is all I can think of.

Image result for drake

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Reply #2 posted 03/27/17 2:44am

getxxxx

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Kit you are a HATER!

Nick Ashford was someone I greatly admired, had the honor of knowing, and was the real-life inspiration for Cowboy Curtis' hair. RIP Nick. - Pee Wee Herman
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Reply #3 posted 03/27/17 4:00am

Shawy89

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I've been asking myself that question since day one, I always wondered why the hype? Why Drake and not ASAP Rocky, Big Sean or someone else from a similar background...

  • Relatable, "trendy" lyrics, as opposed to complex, subliminal messages with crazy rhyming (Which he can't pull off anyway). He can rap about heartbreak with simple, clever lyrics and that makes them quotable ======> Perfect subjects for internet memes. Facebook is filled with memes captioned with Drake quotes... now that's big publicity.
  • He sings with a soft, mellow voice tone: He's known for doing this kind of R&B singing for a while, because it shows his sensitive side, now that's a big catalyst for his fame and reputation because most rappers brag about stuff and dismiss emotional empathy or a true, genuine feeling of vulnerability, now Drake also brags, but never fails to sound weak, lost... people dig that sensitivity... they can relate, as I said... and most of all: Urban kids can relate too, you don't see 14 year old black teenagers crying over a John Legend heartbreak song, but you sure can see them feeling the vibe of a heartbreak tune by Drake... "It's cool to feel weak when Drake feels weak" kinda thing.
  • Which leads to this: His brand (marketing). Drake and his team have made their OVO brand something international, trendy, "ice cold", they try to make the fans feel as if they're so close to Drake, giving them non-stop material, thanking them, showing great gratitude over and over. His OVO merch is widely in demand and everyone can dress like Drake, casual. That way fan feel like they form his entourage, even feeling rich.
  • Other causes: He makes a shitload of deals with a shitload of outlets and organisations, securing endorsements with Apple Music, Canada Goose, Air Jordans, Sprite, Burger King, Whataburger, making his own alcohol beverage,

the production on his later albums are dull, bland, uninspired, but it's what's "hot" nowadays... trap beats, dance hall vibe, all of that can get you a huge hit. He's the perfect hip hop-pop crossover act.


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Reply #4 posted 03/27/17 5:47am

kitbradley

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Shawy89 said:

I've been asking myself that question since day one, I always wondered why the hype? Why Drake and not ASAP Rocky, Big Sean or someone else from a similar background...

  • Relatable, "trendy" lyrics, as opposed to complex, subliminal messages with crazy rhyming (Which he can't pull off anyway). He can rap about heartbreak with simple, clever lyrics and that makes them quotable ======> Perfect subjects for internet memes. Facebook is filled with memes captioned with Drake quotes... now that's big publicity.
  • He sings with a soft, mellow voice tone: He's known for doing this kind of R&B singing for a while, because it shows his sensitive side, now that's a big catalyst for his fame and reputation because most rappers brag about stuff and dismiss emotional empathy or a true, genuine feeling of vulnerability, now Drake also brags, but never fails to sound weak, lost... people dig that sensitivity... they can relate, as I said... and most of all: Urban kids can relate too, you don't see 14 year old black teenagers crying over a John Legend heartbreak song, but you sure can see them feeling the vibe of a heartbreak tune by Drake... "It's cool to feel weak when Drake feels weak" kinda thing.
  • Which leads to this: His brand (marketing). Drake and his team have made their OVO brand something international, trendy, "ice cold", they try to make the fans feel as if they're so close to Drake, giving them non-stop material, thanking them, showing great gratitude over and over. His OVO merch is widely in demand and everyone can dress like Drake, casual. That way fan feel like they form his entourage, even feeling rich.
  • Other causes: He makes a shitload of deals with a shitload of outlets and organisations, securing endorsements with Apple Music, Canada Goose, Air Jordans, Sprite, Burger King, Whataburger, making his own alcohol beverage,

the production on his later albums are dull, bland, uninspired, but it's what's "hot" nowadays... trap beats, dance hall vibe, all of that can get you a huge hit. He's the perfect hip hop-pop crossover act.


Really great explanation! Thank you!

"It's not nice to fuck with K.B.! All you haters will see!" - Kitbradley
"The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing." - Socrates
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Reply #5 posted 03/27/17 6:27am

RicoN

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nothing. beige autotune merchant. And his top lip is the same as John Major's - which is distrubing.

Hamburger, Hot Dog, Root Beer, Pussy
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Reply #6 posted 03/27/17 4:40pm

Hudson

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Reply #7 posted 03/27/17 5:04pm

214

Shawy89 said:

I've been asking myself that question since day one, I always wondered why the hype? Why Drake and not ASAP Rocky, Big Sean or someone else from a similar background...

  • Relatable, "trendy" lyrics, as opposed to complex, subliminal messages with crazy rhyming (Which he can't pull off anyway). He can rap about heartbreak with simple, clever lyrics and that makes them quotable ======> Perfect subjects for internet memes. Facebook is filled with memes captioned with Drake quotes... now that's big publicity.
  • He sings with a soft, mellow voice tone: He's known for doing this kind of R&B singing for a while, because it shows his sensitive side, now that's a big catalyst for his fame and reputation because most rappers brag about stuff and dismiss emotional empathy or a true, genuine feeling of vulnerability, now Drake also brags, but never fails to sound weak, lost... people dig that sensitivity... they can relate, as I said... and most of all: Urban kids can relate too, you don't see 14 year old black teenagers crying over a John Legend heartbreak song, but you sure can see them feeling the vibe of a heartbreak tune by Drake... "It's cool to feel weak when Drake feels weak" kinda thing.
  • Which leads to this: His brand (marketing). Drake and his team have made their OVO brand something international, trendy, "ice cold", they try to make the fans feel as if they're so close to Drake, giving them non-stop material, thanking them, showing great gratitude over and over. His OVO merch is widely in demand and everyone can dress like Drake, casual. That way fan feel like they form his entourage, even feeling rich.
  • Other causes: He makes a shitload of deals with a shitload of outlets and organisations, securing endorsements with Apple Music, Canada Goose, Air Jordans, Sprite, Burger King, Whataburger, making his own alcohol beverage,

the production on his later albums are dull, bland, uninspired, but it's what's "hot" nowadays... trap beats, dance hall vibe, all of that can get you a huge hit. He's the perfect hip hop-pop crossover act.


Good, thanks. Besides, he is a very sexy dude.

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Reply #8 posted 03/27/17 6:44pm

woogiebear

He's Larry Graham's Nephew

cool

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Reply #9 posted 03/27/17 7:41pm

runningbear

I really enjoy the music of Nick Drake, very pretty, sweet , humble , melancholy music. Some say ahead of its time, music from the 70s I Think. Life in a Northern Time reflects his sound, think they may have been sourcing him with this song, have to google , I Forget

But NICK DRAKE well worth the listen

merf
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Reply #10 posted 03/27/17 7:45pm

mjscarousal

Drake is not any more overrated than any pop star out now. All these pop stars suck and are overrated. While I am not a fan of Drake, I personally think he gets snubbed quite a bit. Whether we like him or not, he is obviously one of the biggest pop stars out today and sells records and has the hits to back it up. With his receipts, he should be receiving more accolades than he actually receives so I never get this whole idea that he is soo "overrated" when he is not critically acclaimed or given any accolades despite his success. He is always trashed by critics . I find other pop stars to be more overrated. Also, Drake is not full of himself and he seems geniune in interviews which has a lot to do with his appeal.

Drake is not an industry darling, so you can't blame the machine for his success. For whatever reason, people like something about him and I honestly can't hate on that because he does have legitimate receipts to back up his success. He has earned his success fairly and without being an asshole, the help of the industry machine, and doing PR stunts which I respect.

[Edited 3/27/17 19:48pm]

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Reply #11 posted 03/27/17 8:00pm

CynicKill

I gotta give it to him, this didn't sink him:

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Reply #12 posted 03/27/17 11:14pm

khill95

woogiebear said:

He's Larry Graham's Nephew

cool

Well he didn't get the musical genius gene now did he....I'll just let that simmer while I listen to Parade on vinyl prince

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Reply #13 posted 03/27/17 11:22pm

woogiebear

khill95 said:

woogiebear said:

He's Larry Graham's Nephew

cool

Well he didn't get the musical genius gene now did he....I'll just let that simmer while I listen to Parade on vinyl prince

The question was WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT DRAKE?? And that's all I could come up with!! U enjoy that Parade vinyl!! My OG copy from 30 plus yrs ago is wore tha f**k OUT!!!

cool cool

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Reply #14 posted 03/28/17 12:12am

khill95

woogiebear said:

khill95 said:

Well he didn't get the musical genius gene now did he....I'll just let that simmer while I listen to Parade on vinyl prince

The question was WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT DRAKE?? And that's all I could come up with!! U enjoy that Parade vinyl!! My OG copy from 30 plus yrs ago is wore tha f**k OUT!!!

cool cool

LOL that's not an attempt at any witty sort of comeback, just stating a fact, he didn't. And More Life is a perfect example of that

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Reply #15 posted 03/28/17 1:09am

RicoN

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runningbear said:

I really enjoy the music of Nick Drake, very pretty, sweet , humble , melancholy music. Some say ahead of its time, music from the 70s I Think. Life in a Northern Time reflects his sound, think they may have been sourcing him with this song, have to google , I Forget

But NICK DRAKE well worth the listen

Five leaves left, amongst others... the sound of an English summer, down by a canal, beautiful.

Hamburger, Hot Dog, Root Beer, Pussy
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Reply #16 posted 03/28/17 3:31am

purplethunder3
121

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You got me. shrug

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #17 posted 03/28/17 8:01am

Dasein

mjscarousal said:

Drake is not any more overrated than any pop star out now. All these pop stars suck and are overrated. While I am not a fan of Drake, I personally think he gets snubbed quite a bit. Whether we like him or not, he is obviously one of the biggest pop stars out today and sells records and has the hits to back it up. With his receipts, he should be receiving more accolades than he actually receives so I never get this whole idea that he is soo "overrated" when he is not critically acclaimed or given any accolades despite his success. He is always trashed by critics . I find other pop stars to be more overrated. Also, Drake is not full of himself and he seems geniune in interviews which has a lot to do with his appeal.

Drake is not an industry darling, so you can't blame the machine for his success. For whatever reason, people like something about him and I honestly can't hate on that because he does have legitimate receipts to back up his success. He has earned his success fairly and without being an asshole, the help of the industry machine, and doing PR stunts which I respect.

[Edited 3/27/17 19:48pm]


This post is all kinds of contradictory!

Either you think Drake is overrated like "all these pop stars suck and are overrated" or "he should
be receiving more accolades than he actually receives" - but you can't have both, Carousal!

The special thing about Drake, in my opinion, is that he's the dude next door who made it big off
of being just a little bit more talented than the next kid. He's not spectacularly good looking; he's
not spectaculary gifted as a lyricist; he's not spectacularly gifted as a performer. In an age where
most of our R&B/rapper types portray "that life", Drake is about fucking chicks softly while listening
to Luther Vandross records, and this is a breath of fresh air in some respects. Ironically, what's
special about Drake is that he's not special at all.

twocents

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Reply #18 posted 03/28/17 8:31am

paisleypark4

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Shawy89 said:

I've been asking myself that question since day one, I always wondered why the hype? Why Drake and not ASAP Rocky, Big Sean or someone else from a similar background...

  • He sings with a soft, mellow voice tone: He's known for doing this kind of R&B singing for a while, because it shows his sensitive side, now that's a big catalyst for his fame and reputation because most rappers brag about stuff and dismiss emotional empathy or a true, genuine feeling of vulnerability, now Drake also brags, but never fails to sound weak, lost... people dig that sensitivity... they can relate, as I said... and most of all: Urban kids can relate too, you don't see 14 year old black teenagers crying over a John Legend heartbreak song, but you sure can see them feeling the vibe of a heartbreak tune by Drake... "It's cool to feel weak when Drake feels weak" kinda thing.


I like his r&b songs. i really wish he would do a whole album full of them. He can get moody and the music fits his lyrics. Some have really great production i.e. "Find Your love" "Passionfrut" and "Hold On"

Straight Jacket Funk Affair
Album plays and love for vinyl records.
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Reply #19 posted 03/28/17 8:35am

2freaky4church
1

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At least he aint mumble rap.

All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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Reply #20 posted 03/28/17 8:43am

purplethunder3
121

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2freaky4church1 said:

At least he aint mumble rap.

razz lol

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #21 posted 03/28/17 9:04am

2freaky4church
1

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Bumble crAP.

All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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Reply #22 posted 03/28/17 9:28am

MD431Madcat

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TOTaL BULL-ShIT 4 KiDs!

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Reply #23 posted 03/28/17 2:38pm

3rdeyedude

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You have to hand it to a half-white/half-black Jewish Canadian kid for making his way into the hip-hop world. Then again, it doesn't take much these days to be big in the hip-hop world. For example:

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Reply #24 posted 03/28/17 2:53pm

cbarnes3121

i guess he would be just as secial as taylor swift, selena gomzez or just in beiber all artist with no talent just good marketing.ive tried listening to drake couldnt stop him i tried listening to the oters i named couldnt stomach them . turn on some prince or anyt of his related artist and u got me grooving all night

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Reply #25 posted 03/28/17 6:57pm

mjscarousal

Dasein said:

mjscarousal said:

Drake is not any more overrated than any pop star out now. All these pop stars suck and are overrated. While I am not a fan of Drake, I personally think he gets snubbed quite a bit. Whether we like him or not, he is obviously one of the biggest pop stars out today and sells records and has the hits to back it up. With his receipts, he should be receiving more accolades than he actually receives so I never get this whole idea that he is soo "overrated" when he is not critically acclaimed or given any accolades despite his success. He is always trashed by critics . I find other pop stars to be more overrated. Also, Drake is not full of himself and he seems geniune in interviews which has a lot to do with his appeal.

Drake is not an industry darling, so you can't blame the machine for his success. For whatever reason, people like something about him and I honestly can't hate on that because he does have legitimate receipts to back up his success. He has earned his success fairly and without being an asshole, the help of the industry machine, and doing PR stunts which I respect.

[Edited 3/27/17 19:48pm]


This post is all kinds of contradictory!

Either you think Drake is overrated like "all these pop stars suck and are overrated" or "he should
be receiving more accolades than he actually receives" - but you can't have both, Carousal!

The special thing about Drake, in my opinion, is that he's the dude next door who made it big off
of being just a little bit more talented than the next kid. He's not spectacularly good looking; he's
not spectaculary gifted as a lyricist; he's not spectacularly gifted as a performer. In an age where
most of our R&B/rapper types portray "that life", Drake is about fucking chicks softly while listening
to Luther Vandross records, and this is a breath of fresh air in some respects. Ironically, what's
special about Drake is that he's not special at all.

twocents

My point is that despite being mediocre he has legitimate receipts, (i.e. hits, best selling album) so imo he deserves nominations/accloades for those things that he earned unlike some other pop stars who gets nominations and awards for no reason or just because of who they are.

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Reply #26 posted 03/28/17 8:02pm

woogiebear

Didn't take it as such, nor am I attempting one. That it literally all I could come up with. And My OG copy of Parade is BEAT DOWN!!!!

cool

khill95 said:

woogiebear said:

The question was WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT DRAKE?? And that's all I could come up with!! U enjoy that Parade vinyl!! My OG copy from 30 plus yrs ago is wore tha f**k OUT!!!

cool cool

LOL that's not an attempt at any witty sort of comeback, just stating a fact, he didn't. And More Life is a perfect example of that

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Reply #27 posted 03/28/17 8:44pm

214

mjscarousal said:

Dasein said:


This post is all kinds of contradictory!

Either you think Drake is overrated like "all these pop stars suck and are overrated" or "he should
be receiving more accolades than he actually receives" - but you can't have both, Carousal!

The special thing about Drake, in my opinion, is that he's the dude next door who made it big off
of being just a little bit more talented than the next kid. He's not spectacularly good looking; he's
not spectaculary gifted as a lyricist; he's not spectacularly gifted as a performer. In an age where
most of our R&B/rapper types portray "that life", Drake is about fucking chicks softly while listening
to Luther Vandross records, and this is a breath of fresh air in some respects. Ironically, what's
special about Drake is that he's not special at all.

twocents

My point is that despite being mediocre he has legitimate receipts, (i.e. hits, best selling album) so imo he deserves nominations/accloades for those things that he earned unlike some other pop stars who gets nominations and awards for no reason or just because of who they are.

Don't be shy, say her name, we are used to your obsession.

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Reply #28 posted 03/30/17 10:20am

nextedition

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This week he let 12000 people wait for hours after which he cancelled the concert because he was sick.
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Reply #29 posted 03/30/17 12:24pm

laurarichardso
n

mjscarousal said:

Dasein said:


This post is all kinds of contradictory!

Either you think Drake is overrated like "all these pop stars suck and are overrated" or "he should
be receiving more accolades than he actually receives" - but you can't have both, Carousal!

The special thing about Drake, in my opinion, is that he's the dude next door who made it big off
of being just a little bit more talented than the next kid. He's not spectacularly good looking; he's
not spectaculary gifted as a lyricist; he's not spectacularly gifted as a performer. In an age where
most of our R&B/rapper types portray "that life", Drake is about fucking chicks softly while listening
to Luther Vandross records, and this is a breath of fresh air in some respects. Ironically, what's
special about Drake is that he's not special at all.

twocents

My point is that despite being mediocre he has legitimate receipts, (i.e. hits, best selling album) so imo he deserves nominations/accloades for those things that he earned unlike some other pop stars who gets nominations and awards for no reason or just because of who they are.

He is making it on his looks and it will not last it never does. No one will remember his receipts in a few years.

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