A tremendous amount of people classify themselves as Drake fans. However, only a select few are truly receptive to Drake’s lyrical genius, and embody what he represents through his music. Even so, Drake’s new album, For All the Dogs, has created a divide amongst even the most devout Drake fans. Some say that they expected more from him, and that the new album is disappointing.
Others are thrilled that Drake has circled back to the sound and vibe of his first albums that initially made him a worldwide phenom. As an artist, Drake is extremely calculated; the divide between his fans proves that the title of his album was intentional and has true meaning. The message is that those that recognize For All the Dogs as one of Drake’s great works are known as “dogs”, and those that cannot see the vision are not. To put it simply, if you aren’t a dog, then you won’t understand or be impressed by the album.
The titles of each individual song on the album symbolize that Drake is moving away from those who aren’t “dogs” and focusing on those are. Two of the most listened to songs from the album are , “Members Only (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)”, and “IDGAF (feat. Yeat).” The titles themselves explain that a membership is now required to be a part of the group that Drake belongs to and that he does not care whose feelings are hurt or who feels left out. The expensive cars, vacations, and experiences that Drake writes about in his songs cause people to be envious, and to want to be a part of his lifestyle. The allure that Drake has causes his “club” to be perceived as exclusive, highly significant, and highly sought after. Granted that all humans desire acceptance and belonging somewhere, especially in those spaces that are considered special or of value.
Drake does a great job in accepting the fact that people may be jealous of him, or might not like him. I live my life that way, and I feel as though the album has done an amazing job speaking to a niche audience, therefore it is moving for some and disappointing for others. For me, the album is moving.
