Is Drake’s album the most anticipated album of 2010? Probably. I say that only because “most anticipated” gets thrown around in music industry press releases and blog posts more than frisbees at a liberal arts school. While writing this article I got three more emails telling me how “anticipated” releases were from artists I barely heard of, or had never heard of at all. But there’s no denying the buzz surrounding Drake and Thank Me Later. Drake’s rise has been like nothing we’ve ever seen. A year ago he was selling out concert venues off the strength of his mixtape, So Far Gone, which was released for free via the Internet. A year before that, he was an unknown to the Hip Hop world and collecting guest appearances on tracks by the likes of Colin Munroe and Mickey Factz. He was living in Toronto and his eight-year stint on “Degrassi High” was coming to a close. Drake told Heeb magazine that before So Far Gone took off, he was considering waiting tables and getting a regular job once his TV career ended. But a “regular job” will be that of myths and folklores for Drake, and if things go well, even Drake’s next of kin may be able to bypass the rat race. That’s because Drake was plucked up by Lil’ Wayne to lead Cash Money, and has since collaborated with vets and tastemaking artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Eminem. It’s pretty much unheard of in a field where “earning your stripes” is almost the first commandment, and “paying dues” almost requires a massive loan. Drake’s music is heavily biographical, focusing mostly on this rapidfire race to fame and fortune with a questioning Drake appearing several times on Thank Me Later, before the final song hits and Drake comes to terms with his stardom by granting fans permission to “Thank Me Now”.
Check for our full review of Thank Me Later coming later today, and check out MTV’s article in which they take the over/under on Drake going platinum this week. Hit the jump for two new remixes of “Light Up”. The first is a remix by Cookin’ Soul and features B.I.G. The second is the “Rikers Island” mix featuring a phoned in verse from Lil’ Wayne.
Drake: “Light Up” Cookin’ Soul Remix featuring B.I.G
[audio: http://rubyhornet.com/media/rh/music/drake_light_up_cookin_soul.mp3|width=180]Drake: “Light Up” Rikers Island Remix featuring Lil’ Wayne
[audio: http://rubyhornet.com/media/rh/music/drake_light_up_rikers_island.mp3|width=180]via Hypetrak