I don’t agree with this. I’ve thought about this for a while, but it’s never been more evident than on this project. Keep in mind, I enjoy this album so this isn’t hate, just an observation I’ve made over the years.
Drake’s approach to R&B is COMPLETELY different nowadays than what it was 10+ years ago. Whether it’s a better or worse approach is dependent on who you’re asking, but I’m not even talking about just the content of the music itself, that’s obvious. I mean that his approach to songwriting as a whole when it comes to R&B has done a complete 180.
He used to approach R&B writing from a very traditional standpoint: clearly defined ABAB structure, songs written around a specific narrative, more complex & varied melodic lines, layered vocals along with background vocals, and less wordplay in the lyrics, instead focusing more on eliciting emotion. These songs sound like they were written by legitimate R&B musicians. Prime examples of this include:
!https://youtu.be/wWcaNu10POQ?si=8vpwUhz8q9u7n8QS!https://youtu.be/pc7SitHShpM?si=z2hmMkumgaSB1mnJ!https://youtu.be/ndCnatxRaF8?si=ftnIPwdmblGiDCjr!https://youtu.be/akwlMVMNIYw?si=ui-AGA6vZCqut58XThen, the approach started to switch sometime around 2017 or 2018. It changed to something more formless and conversational, gone were the traditional song structures and in were songs that could be mistaken for one long verse, usually with one or two repeating melodic lines the entire song, in addition to feeling like songs written by a rapper due to their emphasis on punchlines and similes within the lyrics. He seems to prefer catching a vibe on his modern R&B songs rather than writing a fleshed out song. They almost come off as freestyles more than actually written songs. Some examples include:
!https://youtu.be/L2y1wk5EB6U?si=XvqGNTVu1b-A1ARA!https://youtu.be/ZX_mvoY_Hg0?si=uqLH7SasAGeO_Y4G!https://youtu.be/tJYeoXe5SsA?si=fUP9xoDTh9lzGUEK!https://youtu.be/m9rb-v3wthQ?si=8AZ7cQTx9eIbtJ7ZThe style you prefer is completely subjective, but it is very interesting to note and observe the differences. For that reason, I don’t think people would hate a song like Marvins Room if it were to release today, because it would be basically a complete 180 flip from the R&B that 2025 Drake is making.
great post
The outro of meet your padre where is party and the horns
That’s legitimately one of the best moments on the album
I hope he does something like that again solo
This section does feel a bit louder than the rest of the song.
Those songs were made 12 years apart. You really expect him to not evolve? If he doesn't evolve in his style/approach, that'd also be an issue lol.
It’s not about that. There’s way to evolve that don’t involve an approach to songwriting getting flipped on its’ head
Drake doing roll call of hoes to Aaron Hall singing in the background is such a highlight
Chat, why do people take songs like Meet Your Padre and Ratchet Happy Birthday seriously?
I don’t agree with this. I’ve thought about this for a while, but it’s never been more evident than on this project. Keep in mind, I enjoy this album so this isn’t hate, just an observation I’ve made over the years.
Drake’s approach to R&B is COMPLETELY different nowadays than what it was 10+ years ago. Whether it’s a better or worse approach is dependent on who you’re asking, but I’m not even talking about just the content of the music itself, that’s obvious. I mean that his approach to songwriting as a whole when it comes to R&B has done a complete 180.
He used to approach R&B writing from a very traditional standpoint: clearly defined ABAB structure, songs written around a specific narrative, more complex & varied melodic lines, layered vocals along with background vocals, and less wordplay in the lyrics, instead focusing more on eliciting emotion. These songs sound like they were written by legitimate R&B musicians. Prime examples of this include:
!https://youtu.be/wWcaNu10POQ?si=8vpwUhz8q9u7n8QS!https://youtu.be/pc7SitHShpM?si=z2hmMkumgaSB1mnJ!https://youtu.be/ndCnatxRaF8?si=ftnIPwdmblGiDCjr!https://youtu.be/akwlMVMNIYw?si=ui-AGA6vZCqut58XThen, the approach started to switch sometime around 2017 or 2018. It changed to something more formless and conversational, gone were the traditional song structures and in were songs that could be mistaken for one long verse, usually with one or two repeating melodic lines the entire song, in addition to feeling like songs written by a rapper due to their emphasis on punchlines and similes within the lyrics. He seems to prefer catching a vibe on his modern R&B songs rather than writing a fleshed out song. They almost come off as freestyles more than actually written songs. Some examples include:
!https://youtu.be/L2y1wk5EB6U?si=XvqGNTVu1b-A1ARA!https://youtu.be/ZX_mvoY_Hg0?si=uqLH7SasAGeO_Y4G!https://youtu.be/tJYeoXe5SsA?si=fUP9xoDTh9lzGUEK!https://youtu.be/m9rb-v3wthQ?si=8AZ7cQTx9eIbtJ7ZThe style you prefer is completely subjective, but it is very interesting to note and observe the differences. For that reason, I don’t think people would hate a song like Marvins Room if it were to release today, because it would be basically a complete 180 flip from the R&B that 2025 Drake is making.
10/10 post. Completely agree
Chat, why do people take songs like Meet Your Padre and Ratchet Happy Birthday seriously?
Low IQ
Chat, why do people take songs like Meet Your Padre and Ratchet Happy Birthday seriously?
This what im wondering. Why do people not have any sense for humor anymore? why does every song need to be srs?
This what im wondering. Why do people not have any sense for humor anymore? why does every song need to be srs?
I’m not even trying to run the “people don’t be outside” trope but I do believe a lot of people (online) don’t like fun music because they aren’t out making memories to it. It’s a big reason why Drake’s music resonates w a lot of people imo
Drake doing roll call of hoes to Aaron Hall singing in the background is such a highlight
F***ing love it, after rapping and addressing the year he’s had. Here he comes crooning over that smooth Aaron Hall sample where he’s really embracing all the Drake-ness that comes with being Drake lmaoo