Drake released For All The Dogs on Friday, and it is already one of the biggest albums in the world right now. Overall, Drizzy has always been a streaming and sales darling. He can get you 500K units without pushing a single bundle. If he did include bundles, his sales could easily be in the millions. Regardless, the megastar remains one of the biggest artists ever. For All The Dogs was highly anticipated, so it should come as no surprise that it is currently selling as well as it is.
Unfortunately for Drake, there has been a lot of criticism surrounding this album. Some people feel as though the project is entirely too unfocused. Moreover, there are some who believe the album is his worst yet. On top of this, you have Joe Budden publically chastising the artist for linking up with the youth. It seems like critically, Drizzy cannot catch a break. However, his sales continue to reflect just how big a showstopper he really is.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Drake performs on day 1 of the New Look Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park on July 3, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
According to Billboard, it has been reported that For All The Dogs will be the number-one album in the U.K. this week. Overall, this will be his sixth time topping the U.K. charts. Over the past few years, the Canadian megastar has been embracing the U.K. sound. In fact, he recently linked up with Central Cee, which led to an incredible freestyle. Needless to say, he is embedded in the country, and music listeners overseas continue to support him.
So far, For All The Dogs is set to sell 450K units in its first week. However, that number can change as the week goes on. With public opinion on the album in a polarizing state, there is no telling how the streams could break. Let us know what you think of the new album, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world.
Kai Cenat is easily one of the biggest streamers in the world right now. Overall, he has millions of followers across his platforms, and in many ways, he is a voice for the youth. However, he got dragged into a feud between Joe Budden and Drake over the weekend. Following the release of For All The Dogs, Budden went off on Drizzy for his album. Budden thought the project was weak and the the megastar was rapping and singing like a child. At the age of 36, Budden would have loved more maturity from Drake.
Moreover, Budden had some harsh words as it pertains to Kai Cenat. While he did not criticize Cenat directly, he did explain how Drake shouldn’t be associating with “kids.” Ultimately, it was a scathing critique, and many were curious if Cenat would respond. After all, Drake and Joe Budden are going at it quite a bit right now, so it would only make sense for Cenat to deliver his side. Well, on Monday night, that is exactly what he decided to do.
“I be minding my motherf*cking business my n****,” Kai Cenat said matter of factly. “And somehow, I always catch a f*cking stray. This happened with Zion Williamson and that other b*tch, caught a stray from her. Why am I always catching strays, my n****. The n**** is always saying something bad about me. This man said he was ecstatic to see me arrested and go to jail for the sh*t that happened in August.” Needless to say, Joe does not have a high opinion of Cenat, and the streamer is sick of being talked about. It is easy to see where he is coming from on this one.
With Joe Budden set to release a couple of podcast episodes this week, it should be interesting to see if he responds. Let us know what you think of Cenat’s response, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed.
As one of the biggest names in hip-hop today, Drake’s always a lightning rod for controversy and criticism, but the target on his back always gets bigger and glows brighter in the wake of a new album release. For All The Dogs is no exception, as the Canadian rapper’s eighth solo studio album has brought with it a clamorous reaction from both fans and media personalities like Charlamagne The God and Joe Budden.
Of course, this time around, Drake’s been as ready with a spicy retort of his own every time they’ve dissed him. However, even his replies are catching flak now. After Drake sent a sassy sally at Joe Budden for the former rapper’s salty review, Azealia Banks, of all people, chimed in with some scathing commentary of her own, reviving a few derogatory rumors about Drake in the process.
“Does drake know his nose job and liposuction is not hiphop??” she wrote on Instagram. “Does drake know that no one who actually understands hiphop – a culture born from oppressed, don’t reeeeeeeeallly care about his soft-toothed colonized confused mixed-race facsimile attempts to exhibit the true authenticity of an actual MC? Does drake know his desperate attempts to gangsterize Canadian ‘street life’ is an all encompassing failure in and of it itself?”
Azealia Banks comments on Drake’s response to Joe Budden:
“Does drake know his nose job and liposuction is not hiphop?? Does drake know that no one who actually understands hiphop – a culture born from oppressed, don’t reeeeeeeeallly care about his soft-toothed colonized… pic.twitter.com/Ti0MwYK02d
Of course, you can’t always take everything Banks says seriously. After all, if plastic surgery is a mark against Drake, Banks is standing in a glass house throwing one hell of a stone. She’s also been pretty wrong about everything from West Coast hip-hop to Cardi B’s popularity, and her comments generally reek of sour grapes and Haterade. We’ll see if Drake responds to her the same way he did Charlamagne and Budden, but to be honest, I think we’d all be better off just letting Azealia yell at the clouds.
This new decade has seen Drake continue to be a dominant force in the music industry as he consistently shares new music, topping the charts and breaking streaming records in the process. He recently dropped his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs just in time to conclude his It’s All A Blur Tour of North America. The new record follows a trilogy of albums, including the collaborative Her Loss with 21 Savage, last year’s Honestly, Nevermind, and 2021’s Certified Lover Boy. A new Drake release is guaranteed to divide listeners, and it appears that the reception of For All the Dogsis no different. Despite these mixed opinions, Drizzy is not afraid to clap back.
Drake’s output so far this decade has been prolific, releasing at least one full-length album each year. The quick turnaround between projects is commendable and is deserving of some time off. In a recent episode of his Sound 42 radio show, Drake announced that he will be taking a break from music, “For maybe a year or so.” The Canadian superstar cited stomach problems and his overall health as reasons for his temporary hiatus. To commemorate Drake’s prolific run, the release of For All the Dogs, and his well-deserved break, we are ranking his albums since Certified Lover Boy from worst to best. Take a look at the list below.
4. For All the Dogs (2023)
Drake’s latest album has not been out for very long, so comparing it to his other albums may seem early. While it is still fresh in our minds, For All the Dogs does not stack up against Drake’s previous releases. The album’s bloated tracklist is held back by its runtime and features, with some exceptions. J. Cole, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Bad Bunny contributed standout performances that made for memorable collaborations.
The tracklist has bright moments, but For All the Dogs is ultimately uneven. Lyrically and vocally, Drake has his high points, but there are instances where his performances fall flat. It is a prime example of how Drake can be a victim of his own success with an album that caters to every style. For All the Dogs is still brand new, so only time will tell how it ages in the span of Drake’s discography.
3. Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage (2022)
Drake has recruited 21 Savage for every album since Certified Lover Boy, so it was only right for the two to lock in for an entire joint album. Their collaborative effort, Her Loss, reinvigorated Drake’s rapping skills as he and 21 brought out the best in each other. While the two certainly have chemistry, it does not always translate to making good songs. The project can sometimes be disjointed, but there are plenty of gems on Her Loss.
Songs like “Rich Flex,” “Hours in Silence,” and “Spin Bout U” displayed the duo’s irresistible synergy. Savage held his own, but Drake was the star of the show as his versatility shined throughout the tracklist. His catchy melodies and skillful bars commanded the songs, not to mention “Middle of the Ocean” is arguably one of Drake’s best songs of the decade so far. Her Loss excited with its highlights, but also felt monotonous at times. For that reason, it sits at No. 3 on the list.
2. Certified Lover Boy (2021)
Certified Lover Boy is far from Drake’s best work but has many redeeming qualities. The album’s lengthy tracklist may be inconsistent, but plenty of highlights exist. Its worst moments do not detract from the best tracks that carry the album’s quality. Certified Lover Boy includes one of Drake’s best intro tracks with “Champagne Poetry,” as well as quality collaborations with JAY-Z, Travis Scott, and Tems. Drake sang his heart out with Future and Ty Dolla $ign and reunited with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross for “You Only Live Twice.” The overblown tracklist and overall sequence of For All the Dogs is reminiscent of Certified Lover Boy, but the latter trumps the former with its strongest tracks.
1. Honestly, Nevermind (2022)
Fans were caught off guard with the surprise announcement of Honestly, Nevermind, but even more with the album’s musical direction. Drake primarily sang on his seventh studio album, with the exception of certain tracks. He experimented with moody house music, Baltimore club, and R&B. It made for a unique listening experience distinct from other Drake albums. Honestly, Nevermind displayed Drake’s effortless knack for creating catchy melodies. He may work well with others, but there were no features besides 21 Savage on “Jimmy Cooks.”
Honestly, Nevermind is a concise body of work and a focused effort with a cohesive artistic direction. It is free of moments on For All the Dogs and Certified Lover Boy, where he occasionally sounded creatively stagnant. The album saw Drake exploring uncharted territory, which is what made it such an exciting listen and undoubtedly his best release out of his most recent run.
A surprise to nobody, Drake’s For All The Dogs is set to arrive at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. According to Hits Daily Double, the album is expected to have a first-week total of 400-450K.
The album is expected to be the fourth-biggest debut of 2023, following Taylor Swift’s Speak Now, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time, and Travis Scott’s UTOPIA. UTOPIA made a debut at 477K.
Drake and J. Cole are primed to take the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with “First Person Shooter.” The single would be the 13th for Drake, placing him on top of the list of artists with the most No. 1 records, surpassing Michael Jackson. The single would be the first No. 1 for J. Cole.
Drake & J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter” is headed for #1 debut on The Hot 100 based on first day streaming numbers
It will be J. Cole’s first #1 song and Drake’s 14th, overtaking Micheal Jackson as the male artist with the most in history. pic.twitter.com/LUVRx9jVbY
Drake is delivering another video from For All The Dogs, dropping off “Another Late Night” directed by Cole Bennett. The video for Lil Yachty-assisted single takes the rapping best friends out in the streets for an illuminated night of jigging. Also, in the video, Drake rides on the passenger side as his bae skirts through the streets, and Yachty gets a tat. You can see the video below.
Clocking in at 23 tracks, For All The Dogs sees standout features from 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chief Keef, Sexyy Red, Lil Yachty, and Teezo Touchdown.
Charlamagne Tha God says that fans hold Drake to a higher standard than other artists and compared him to LeBron James. The radio host spoke about the expectations for Drake’s new album, For All The Dogs, while discussing his feud with Joe Budden on Monday morning.
“I was watching some of the criticism of Drake’s album this weekend,” Charlamange began. “I don’t know if it’s the fairest, but he is held to a different standard because of the high levels– I mean, the reality of the high levels of criticism that he gets is it comes with the territory of the rare air that he’s in. It feels very reminiscent of LeBron critique. Like, I think folks want Drake to be JAY-Z just like they want Bron to be Jordan and we’ll never truly appreciate either one of them if we keep comparing them to those individuals. So, it’s the ultimate compliment to be mentioned and compared to those icons but it’s an impossible hurdle to overcome.”
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Charlamagne tha God, Angela Yee, and DJ. Envy, winners of the Best Pop Culture Podcast award for ‘The Breakfast Club,’ attend the 2020 iHeartRadio Podcast. Awards at the iHeartRadio Theater on January 17, 2020 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
The feud between Drake and Budden began while Budden was sharing his negative feelings on For All The Dogs, last week. “He rappin’ for the children. Yo dog, I had to look up how old this n—a was when I finished listening to the album,” Budden complained. “You are 36. Your birthday is in 20 days. I Googled that, too. You’re going to be 37 years old. Get the f— away from some of these younger n—as. And stop f—ing these 25-year-olds.” Check out Charlamagne’s comments on the feud below.
Drake ended up firing back at Budden with a scathing response on Instagram. “You left it behind to do what you are doing in this clip cause this is what actually pays your bills,” he wrote. “For any artist watching this just remember you are watching a failure give their opinion on his idea of a recipe for success… a quitter give their opinion on how to achieve longevity…” Be on the lookout for further updates on their beef on HotNewHipHop.
Drake has been having an interesting weekend so far. Overall, it has been a successful one given the fact that he just dropped For All The Dogs. The 23-song undertaking is going to be the number-one album in the world come next Monday. However, this may just prove to be a bittersweet moment for Aubrey. The album is quite polarizing and people are a bit underwhelmed by what the megastar put out. With a name like For All The Dogs, fans expected some hard rap tracks. Instead, the majority of the album sees Drizzy getting into his R&B bag.
Despite the negative reactions to the album, there is one song that is almost universally beloved. Of course, we are talking about the cut “Rich Baby Daddy” which features Sexyy Red and SZA. SZA appears earlier on the tracklist with the previously released “Slime You Out.” As for Sexyy Red, she has been getting a ton of co-signs from Drake as of late. Consequently, it came as no surprise that she would get a feature on the album. Now that the song has been released, Drizzy continues to give the newcomer her flowers.
In the Instagram story reposted above, the Canadian legend thanks Sexyy Red for all that she has done. “Thanks for holding me down and killing sh*t all summer,” Drake wrote. “You are the kindest most solid and I luhhhh you.” Previously, the artist had added Sexyy Red as the opener to his tour. Furthermore, she is going out on tour as an opening act, and the shows have already sold out. Either way, Sexyy Red is on the rise, and it is good to see someone like Drake taking complete notice of that.
Let us know your thoughts on the track “Rich Baby Daddy,” in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will be sure to keep you informed of the biggest stories from the biggest artists.
Drake engaged in a bitter feud with Joe Budden over the weekend. Overall, this all stems from Joe’s initial reactions to For All The Dogs. Budden felt like the album was weak and that it showcased an unwillingness for Drizzy to grow. Instead, Budden felt like the whole album was made for the kids, which doesn’t make sense considering his age.
“[Drake is] rapping for the children,” Budden said. “I had to look up how old this n***a was when I finished listening to the album … You gonna be 37 years old. Get the fuck away from some of these younger n****s, and stop fucking these 25-year-olds. … Why are you still fucking the 25-year-olds? You’re a 37-year-old billionaire.” Drake did not find this criticism particularly amusing, and he launched a scathing attack as a result. He isn’t letting his foot off the gas, however, some feel like the hate is misguided. This is especially true as footage has surfaced of Drizzy praising Joe Budden at a show back in 2009.
“I’m happy, I’m honored — I’m honored to be around you, man,” Drake said to Budden. “So, I can’t be honest on your network, here? I can’t be honest to your fans and say I’m honored to be around you?” If you are aware of the lore, you know that Drake was heavily influenced by Joe Budden. Budden was a pioneer when it came to being vulnerable in hip-hop and the megastar took note. This old footage just speaks to Joe’s influence and how Drake was probably deeply hurt by Budden’s review. Needless to say, it is easy to see how that IG onslaught came about.
Furthermore, a lot of fans are using this footage as a “this you” of sorts. With Drake calling Joe Budden a “bum,” to put it mildly, fans are seeing some hypocrisy here. In the internet’s eyes, it is a sign of weakness as well as a sign that Budden’s critiques hit too close to home. Let us know what you think of all of this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the music world.
Producer Gordo says that Drake’s a “mad man” and “doesn’t sleep.” He spoke about his friendship with the Toronto rapper and his recording process with Complex following the release of For All The Dogs.
When asked about Drake’s process for his latest albums, Gordo responded: “He’s a mad man. He’s insane. He doesn’t sleep. He just works, works, works, works. He’ll call me at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. in the morning. I’m like, bro, ‘go to bed. You’re insane.’ So that’s what I learned.”
US rapper Drake poses in the press room during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images)
Gordo also discussed how he met Drake. After joking about it coming through the dating app Christian Mingle, he admitted it actually happened at a Lil Wayne concert. “I met this guy so long ago through one of my homies,” he said. “It was like a Lil Wayne show. There’s a photo out there somewhere of when we first met him. We’ve always had a lot of mutual friends. So we always stayed connected here and there. And then in 2017 [or] 2016, we started getting closer and closer. Then there was a long time that we didn’t talk. But as of recently, we became really close musically. We never talked about music until last year and we’ve been friends for years. I think that’s the coolest part of it, is it was never about music. We were just homies, we have the same brain. We always say that if we were in high school, we would have been best friends.”
Gordo, who was formerly known as Carnage, has credits on numerous Drake songs in recent years. For Honestly, Nevermind, he produced “Sticky,” while he’s credited on “Rich Baby Daddy” and “Gently” off For All The Dogs. Be on the lookout for further updates on Drake and Gordo on HotNewHipHop.
(@nojumper)