Most "Fire" Tracks On Drake & Future’s “What A Time To Be Alive"
https://instagram.com/p/72K9oTkoFS/?taken-by=future If you haven’t heard already, Drake and Future linked up to bring us some hot new music with their release of “What A Time to Be Alive" on Sunday, September 20.
The two rappers dropped the mixtape spontaneously, but I don’t think any of us were complaining. Produced by Future’s lead producer Metro Boomin, the mixtape debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Both Drake and Future have been having a monster year. “What A Time To Be Alive” became Drake and Future's second album to chart at number 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2015.
My Top Five songs on the album are: “Jumpman,” “30 for 30 Freestyle,” “Diamond Dancing,” “Scholarships,” and “Live From The Gutter.” Why? Because these songs define the duo’s chemistry. In all of these songs, Drake and Future throw the mic back and forth effortlessly, and the result is pretty unreal.
“Jumpman” is easily my favorite song on the mixtape. It is a certifiable banger. Drake opens up on the trill beat with his mellow passive-aggressive rhymes and clever hook.
“Diamond Dancing” and “Scholarships” are total club hits. The bass heavy beats are brought to life by Future’s fast tempo and Drake’s laidback style. These songs show a bit more soul than the others, but still contain the heavy bass that rap fans everywhere crave.
The slower backbeat in “Live From The Gutter” draws you in. It opens up strong, but is more of an introspective song. The song really grabs you when Drake and Future talk about their struggles and unique perspectives on life… shit is deep.
The mixtape closes with Drake spitting a sick freestyle over an R&B piano instrumental, rapping about life, the struggle, women, and everything in the “30 for 30 Freestyle.” This song reminds me a lot of old school Drake and proves he hasn't abandoned his R&B roots... but isn’t done rapping just yet.
The mixtape allegedly came out of a six-day recording session and considering what Future had to say about his ties with the diss-rapper, we're expecting more new music from them to come.
Future said:
“Drake is my brother. We have a cool personal relationship, but we have an even better relationship musically.”
Both rappers had something to prove, which is why they both came to play, approaching the mixtape in a very serious manner. Drake throws shade at those who accused him of using a ghostwriting. He raps, “I might take Quentin to Follies” and “The pen is working if you n***** need some ghostliness… Yes I wrote this, cant you tell.”
Future touches on similar personal and internal struggles he's faced in his career, but each rapper had something different to prove. I will admit that the mixtape lacks a bit of congruence, but what it lacks in congruence it makes up for in the production value and lyricism.
After listening to this album I think this rap duo is one of the best we’ve seen since ‘Ye and Jay came out with “Watch The Throne” in 2011. Although, Drake and Future killed it, I’m ready to hear what Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole have been cooking up.