Views redefines the hip hop listening experience
Drake’s release of his fourth studio album, Views, brings a whole new dimension to the genre of hip hop. After the debut of Views on April 29, 2016, it skyrocketed to the number one position on the Billboard 200 chart, and has continued to set records for online streaming. Filled with rap and singing ballads all in typical Drake fashion, Views redefines hip hop by incorporating a fusion of Island, 2000s R&B, and EDM influences.
The album title, Views, is short for the phrase “views from The Six,” with “The Six” being a moniker for Drake’s hometown of Toronto. The album title goes along hand in hand with the album cover of Drake sitting atop the CN tower with a view overlooking the lands of “The Six”, acting as a watchful protector.
[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Drake has no shame in throwing verses at people…[/pullquote]Throughout the album, Drake asserts his ability to traverse as singer and rapper. Contrasting Drake’s melodies in “Controlla” versus his raw rap verses in “Hype,” he’s able to easily trapeze through different vocal structures with finesse. The single, “One Dance,” is a dance tune that highlights Drake’s creation of his own genre by mixing hints of African soul, and R&B. Drake’s comfort in flexibility of switching between vocal structure and fusing genre’s lends itself to creating a pleasurable out-of-body listening experience for Views.
On “9,” Drake pays homage to his beloved city, as well as honouring the sacrifices that he’s made to the city. He is tongue-and-cheek about discussing his influence on the city: “Turning The Six upside down, it’s a nine now.” Then continues, “I made a decision last night that I would die for it.” Drake takes the stand of becoming the watchful protector and guardian of “The Six.”
Views documents Drake’s creation of his own genre by including a sample of The Winans’ song, “The Question Is.” The title track “Views” uses a blend of melodies and scores that lends to the creation of a genre that includes nostalgia, emotional vulnerability and discussions of loyalty and faith.
[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…Drake has risen and become the guardian of the Six.[/pullquote]The notion that with success comes enemies is one of the main themes of the album. Drake has no shame in throwing verses at people in the music industry using cryptic digs at Meek Mill saying, “I hate a goofy especially/They always dyin’ to mention me,” then ends with: “My enemies want to be friends with my other enemies/I don’t let it get to me.”
Drake’s ability to put an interesting twist on rapping and singing, and creating his own unique interpretation on the genre of hip hop makes Views an enjoyable listening experience. With great success comes great responsibility; understanding what he’s done for his beloved city, and how he’s risen from the bottom gives perspective to how Drake has risen and become the guardian of “The Six.”