Some of dopest moments in music are made during the anticipation of an upcoming album. Drake's pre-album eras are specifically special.

From what I’ve noticed, he uses the same structure of releases that lead up to the album; using features as warm-ups or a timestamp record that presses other artists and showcases the bars.
This pre-era has topped NWTS for me as #1.

This first single (LNCL) from every aspect of sound, lyricism, innovativeness and choice of artist featured (which cements him in the streets), is his best lead single to date. It’s inarguable that this track isn’t innovative, true to his artisty and allows another hard working artist to shine. Lil Durk really carries his own on a track that’s going to go down as a moment for Drake.

The leaks, 2 Khaled singles, Headie One feature (which is ferocious), Popcaan features, and LNCL Video (which will go down as a massive statement in his career) - insane to say he's making some of the best music of his career right now.

What’s that, facts?

Bruh, this guy on here someone posted this pic in here earlier

#1 was 2015 with iyrtitl and watb
actually maybe 2016 views era

this era might end up being the best one as far as narrative goes tbh ever since he bought the new crib he's been killing it

ngl, Views pre-album era before Pop Style/One Dance single was insanity for me

issa weird era to me, feels like ppl finally gonna acknowledge his status tho

a lot of my friends that dont like drake started liking him this era and appreciating his past work

this era will be way crazier in retrospect especially if this album ends up being what it's gearing up to be. seems like he's taking the no classics talk to heart and they seem much more focused on the artistry this time around

and he bought a $150M mansion more expensive than any artist has ever bought

and the fact that he dropped an ig live quarantine mixtape is iconic too

yup, ppl were like “his whole album leaking” then dude dropped everything on a tape and kept working

I would agree if we didn't get DLDT.

Durk posted it 10 hours ago

In hindsight it will be his best

Ummmmm no might be his worst pre album era

drake’s features have been forgettable this era

Uhhh do you remember pre Scorpion when he literally ran billboard for the whole year?

This isn’t even top 3 of his pre-album eras. Greece and Popstar came and went (popstar was bubblegum BS too). LNCL is great, but it’s nothing special. Only You is a big miss for a lot of people. Idk man, this just isn’t that crazy of a buildup to me.

And with the album titled “Certified Lover Boy”, I just don’t see it being anything new or innovative. It’s sounds like it will be mainly pop-rap music

because of the leaks?

Was going to make this thread as well

Imo I feel like this album rollout started when WTSW & Chicago Freestyle dropped, even DLDT feels like part of the rollout

I agree OP this has been a great rollout and he ain't missed once yet, although pre-Scorpion he was commercially dominating, this CLB pre-album era is more artistically diverse

Aaaaaah I forgot about the demo but still tell me what pre era is beneath this one?

Yup

If drake drops a time/location song a week before the album

Does DLDT count in the pre era?

Yeah I was thinking today, you could potentially say that the Rap Radar interview, When to Say When, Chicago and DLDT count as well and that could blow it out of the water.

But i think it would have to be more immediate to be Pre-Era, like month or two before Album release

Yes, exactly, see my post above this, if you count that first half of this year, this is in another place.

Please explain further why - I'm curious, is it the music you disagree on?