Fans of hip hop artist Drake eagerly anticipated the release of the EP So Far Gone, which dropped on September 15th, but many were disappointed. Not because the beats are awful, or because the lyrics are unoriginal, but because five of the seven songs on the album were previously released on a mixtape eight months ago, which could be downloaded for free from Drake’s myspace. Now, the same tracks are cost $1.29 on iTunes.
Since the mixtape of the same name was released on February 13, 2009, Drake fans have been waiting for the artist to release new material. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until February 14, 2010 for the next installment in the Drake mixtape series, entitled Thank Me Later.
On this album, the two new singles, “Fear” and “I’m Goin’ In” fail to live up to the already high standards set by favorites like the summer anthem “Best I Ever Had”; the old favorites, however, are still frequenting the Top 100 List on iTunes. Guest appearances on the album include producer Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, and Bun B.
The biggest disappointment was the fact that the new single, “Forever”, which features Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, was not included on this release. The single, which is featured on Lebron James’ documentary More Than a Game, reached #1 on iTunes just three days after being released.
Even though the album has hardly any new material, Drake’s music takes a fresh approach to hip hop, and the Canadian TV star turned rapper is quickly cementing his place in American pop culture.
Young Money Entertainment, 32min 46sec, Available for download on iTunes.
