Take Care is the sophomore studio album released by Canadian rapper/singer Drake. Released in late 2011, this album transcended the invisible boundaries between rap music and rhythm and blues. Drake was looking to capitalize off of the success he saw through the release of his first studio album, Thank Me Later (2010), which launched his career from what was initially an internet sensation into the limelight of American popular music. Drake, who was thriving as a solo artist by the help of veteran emcee Lil Wayne's recently established and highly successful "Young Money Entertainment" record label, was finding growth among his fanbase in less commercial and less traditional ways. Drake continued to release his work through his "October's Very Own" blog, which had existed since 2006, and had proven to be highly successful in cultivating his fanbase. In total, Take Care churned out eight promotional singles, three of which came out prior to Take Care's release in November. The album's balance of cohesiveness with substantiality is what makes it an instant classic, providing hip-hop culture with an unprecedented sense of emotional vulnerability and sonic genius. Any of the twenty songs have equal potential to be individually digested yet maintain a sense of place and meaning within the LP.
1 "OVER MY DEAD BODY"
The album opens up with a piano-heavy, celebration of success Drake has seen in has career thus far. His vices are boastfully expressed, future intentions are established, and immediately puts readers in a perspective of introversion and musical immersion.
2 "SHOT FOR ME"
Transitioning seamlessly from opening statements made in "Over My Dead Body," "Shot For Me" drags listeners deeper into his emotions. He shows listeners that he has perfected his ability to distinguish his talent singing for both and rapping, while effortlessly combining the two. This track serves as an ode to his exes, and further sets the mood for the remainder of the album.
3 "HEADLINES"
Among the several singles from Take Care which each saw a massive amount of standalone success, this track is undoubtedly the most effective within the context of the album. Its upbeat nature catches first-time listeners off-guard following the slow and underwater-like sounds of first two songs. "Headlines" places Drake ahead of all of his peers in the race for success and respect among the rap game.
4. "CREW LOVE (FEAT. THE WEEKND)"
Along with continuing to flex his lyrical ability, Drake shows the world an artist who he had been collaborating with for the past year or so. The Weeknd, a fellow Canadian singer with a strikingly similar musical approach, had writing credits and vocal presence on several songs from Take Care and received an official feature on this track. The album has now slowed down from the pace of "Headlines," and the production quality has not shown a single sign of decreasing.
5. "TAKE CARE (FEAT. RIHANNA)"
Serving as the LP's title track, "Take Care" features megastar Rihanna, one of Drake's many celebrity romantic interests. As an obvious sequel to the two's previous collaboration, "What's My Name?," this track brings love and lust into the forefront of the album's theme. An upbeat, dance-friendly track brings listeners a sense of romantic energy to the album.
6. "MARVINS ROOM"
Continuing on the subject matter of love, this song embodies the style of music that Drake has innovated and since redefined the way people look at hip-hop. The genre's cemented stereotype of containing strictly unemotional, gangster lyricism was contested with the success of "Marvins Room" and other consciously-centric songs. The echoey, slow-motion-esque instrumentation fits perfectly with Drake's drunken, regretful phone conversations with lost love.
7. "BURIED ALIVE INTERLUDE (FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR)"
Take Care's production and seamless transitioning allows for listeners to easily lose track of which song is which, and instead calls for a more wholesome consumption experience. Upcoming Californian rapper Kendrick Lamar channels his guilt-filled lyricism to fit perfectly in the musical and thematic context of Drake's album. Without any assistance, Lamar is able to transition listeners into (arguably) the second half of the LP.
8. "UNDER GROUND KINGS"
Take Care is now in full effect. Drake raps swiftly and articulately, through rhymes which describe his lifestyle, attitude and experiences as an upcoming rapper. Simultaneously, he recognizes southern America as one of his many influences for music by paying homage to UGK, a Houston-based rap group who saw major prominence in hip-hop during the 1990s.
9. "WE'LL BE FINE (FEAT. BIRDMAN)"
Drake continues his showcase of professional rapping flow and clever lyricism by following up with an equally upbeat and bass-heavy club anthem. He continues to easily switch from a melodic chorus to bulletproof verses, creating the phenomenon he would later self-proclaim as being, "Drake featuring Drake." To continue Take Care's theme of celebration of success, one of Drake's early musical mentors ensures to the public that Drake's potential is among the highest of all artists, and that his success has only begun.
10. "MAKE ME PROUD (FEAT. NICKI MINAJ)"
For the third consecutive time, Drake and his team have formulated yet another club-friendly hit; this time featuring Nicki Minaj, Drake's label-mate and (one of many) romantic interests. This track strengthens the already established themes that Take Care has, while complementing on the separate musical narrative the two have created through previous collaborations (such as "Moment 4 Life").
11. "LORD KNOWS (FEAT. RICK ROSS)"
To add to the star-studded list of features, Drake recruits Floridian-rapper and hip-hop veteran Rick Ross for a head-to-head lyrical onslaught. The two each deliver impressive, bodacious verses (each minutes in length) over a masterfully sampled beat.
12. "CAMERAS/GOOD ONES GO INTERLUDE"
The album suddenly halts into a slow-moving, carefree musical space which allows Drake to express his rapping versatility. He compensates for the lower tempo while still delivering impressive raps before the interlude (once again, almost unnoticeably) transitions into a ballad to a girl he hasn't talked to in a while. The Weeknd offers luscious back-up vocals in both parts of the track to solidify the lo-fi, underwater feeling established in "Over My Dead Body," "Shot For Me" and "Marvins Room."
13. "DOING IT WRONG"
Without doubt, this is the most immersive and reflective piece of work ever released by Drake. It is impossible to escape the feelings of guilt, regret and heartbreak he expresses throughout the track. "Doing It Wrong" allows for Drake to open up about a relationship that will inevitably end, which, in the context of a hip-hop album, was seemingly impossible to successfully implement. The massive presence of low-end in the song triggers memories and emotions from every listener that would otherwise be buried deep within them.
14. "THE REAL HER (FEAT. LIL WAYNE & ANDRÉ 3000)
As the emotionally charged "Doing It Wrong" fades out, Drake is now seeking a new lover to replace the one that got away. Young Money Entertainment boss and highly decorated rap veteran, Lil Wayne, makes his first appearance on Take Care alongside the legendary rap group Outkast's very own André 3000. The slow-moving mood remains consistent, with Drake continuing to flex his singing range and vocal ability.
15. "LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE"
Regarded as one of the most effective pieces of storytelling in modern hip-hop, this 5-minute piece is uniquely structured and effectively performed. Drake fires off yet another piano-heavy beat, where this time he recollects his experiences of transitioning his life interest from acting to music. He progressively rhymes about his life in his early twenties, as Lil Wayne aided in launching Drake's career into the limelight of the music industry.
16. "HYFR (HELL YA F****** RIGHT) [FEAT. LIL WAYNE]"
Besides creating a highly influential and infectious acronym to be soon used by many of America's youth, "HYFR" offers itself to be yet another catchy, club hit. Drake and Lil Wayne continue their hot streak of chart-climbing collaborations with this one. Drake contextually shows listeners that despite Take Care having been playing for over an hour in length, he still has rap flows and subject matters to parade.
17. "PRACTICE"
This song takes an intimate, sexual approach to a highly successful 1998 rap song by Cash Money artist Juvenile. Specifically, this song highlights Drake's unusual ability to connect to a young, modern audience through paying homage to those who influenced him. Production still hasn't left the ceiling, which puts Drake in a perfect pocket to express his lust for another potential lover.
18. "THE RIDE"
While not featured, credited writer and frequent collaborator The Weeknd provides layered singing vocals which make up the majority of this songs beat. Drake smoothly raps in the 3rd person perspective for the majority of the song, admitting to the bad decisions that derived from purely good intentions. It serves as a moment of "coming full-circle" for both Drake and his listeners, and is where the standard edition of the album finishes.
19. "THE MOTTO (FEAT. LIL WAYNE) [BONUS TRACK]"
As if "HYFR" by itself wasn't influential enough, "The Motto" has to this day proven to be one of Drake's most culturally impactful and timeless hits. It features an incredibly addictive drum-line backed by trunk-shaking 808 bass, which is prominent throughout the entirety of the track. Drake and his mentor team up once again to debut to the country with an expression that would soon join the youth's vernacular: "You only live once" (or YOLO, for short).
20. "HATE SLEEPING ALONE (BONUS TRACK)"
To close out the album in appropriate fashion, Drake raps over another immersive beat riddled with slow-moving synthesizer pads. With seemingly nothing more to say, Drake still manages to pull out substantial and graphic verses to allow for "Hate Sleeping Alone" to be a quality standalone track.