Drake has finally released For All the Dogs, following nearly ten months of tease, delays, and an album marketing highlighted by his first poetry book and a tour equally focused on music and undergarments. His newest album For All the Dogs was promised to return the “old Drake,” alluding to the heyday of his Take Care record collection, but that wasn’t quite how it happened. In an attempt to bring back some of the “old Drake,” Drake tackled the record with themes and dynamics from his previous albums, but surprisingly, the record also emphasizes a more sophisticated and refined viewpoint that supports his new direction.
Rap history was altered by the “old Drake,” a youthful underdog who fused hip-hop and r&b while reflecting on previous relationships and conversations with his ex-girlfriends. Flipping the pages years later to the “new Drake,” a 36-year-old parent in charge of more than just music, has a new perspective on both how the world and he sees themselves. However, how does Drake’s perspective on the world align with For All the Dogs?
Before going on tour in the summer of 2023, Drake disclosed that he had authored a book of poetry titled Titles Ruin Everything. Drake stated in a number of announcements that he wrote an album and book together, For All the Dogs, in response to those saying they miss the “old Drake.”
To begin with, the cover art artist for the album was revealed to be none other than Drake’s five year old son, Adonis Graham. The album cover, which has an alarming white dog with red eyes drawn with what appears to be a crayon on a simple black background, is a wonderful fit for the theme of the album representing For All the Dogs. As we witnessed during the summer, Drake is embracing his soft side and growing closer to Adonis. With his most recent record release, we now get to witness a father-son cooperation.
With 23 set songs and an hour and twenty-five minutes of music, the album is packed with features, which is why so many people are listening to it. Drake collaborated with a lot of well-known musicians, which definitely helped draw in listeners and add to the variety of sounds and moods Drake is putting out. Every feature takes a new approach to their music, adding a special element to the album and offering fans who follow Drake’s journey something special.
Full List of Featured Artists:
- Teezo Touchdown
- 21 Savage
- J. Cole
- Yeat
- SZA
- PARTYNEXTDOOR
- Chief Keef
- Bad Bunny
- Sexyy Red
- Lil Yachty
While the album has many different collaborations and lyrics Drake reveals and wants audiences to know that he’s still got that dog in him. Even while he may have begun as a puppy-dog romantic, with each record, his snide attitude toward women grew more and more entrenched. His eighth studio album, For All the Dogs, shares many similarities to Take Care (2011), an album known for its heavy beats and well-known artists. However, the difference between the albums is he spends most of his time “with his dogs” now rather than being fixated on women and drunk dialing ex-girlfriends with an exception of every now and then.
“First Person Shooter,” “IDGAF,” “Virginia Beach,” and a few more introductory tracks demonstrate how Drake is handling his career a little differently. These songs also serve as an example of how the album’s introduction strikes a distinct tone than past Drake songs. Although there is some familiarity with the “old Drake,” the “new Drake” is taking a fresh take that alters the tenor of the record as well as Drake’s reputation overall.
One thing that both “old Drake” and “new Drake” can agree upon is the length of a successful album that perfectly balances the delicate balance between drama and humor. Despite not fully fulfilling the “old Drake” in every way, he gave us a bloated track list and a mature, well-focused message that had not before been heard.
