Album Spotlight:Take Care

Take Care by Drake

The Sentimental Side

The winner of the Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album in 2013 is arguably Drake's best album. The album includes classics like "Marvins Room", "Take Care", "HYFR (Hell Ya F***ing Right)", and "Take Care". Drake portrays us his sentimental side in songs like "Shot for Me", "Marvins Room" Doing it Wrong" "The Real Her". These songs really showed us the influence that Kanye West had on Drake, and how he opened the door for more rap about love and deep feelings. Drake was able to reach a crowd that most rappers could not in years past, the type of fan who likes rap and a style of RnB. Marvins Room became an instant hit, many singers started making remixes to the slow, nostalgic, heartbroken song. When people talk about being in heir feelings, they often will listen to this song to reminisce of a past loved one. It is a powerful song, it can remind you of good times, and yet make you cry like a baby. Songs "Shot for Me" "Doing it wrong" have very similar effects. 

The More Energetic Drake

Drake is a genius, he reached everyone on this album. He reached the heartbroken people but still had music you could party to. Songs like "Crew Love" "HYFR" "Practice" "Make Me Proud" are bops that you can't resist but to sing along to, bump your head to, and tap your foot to. "HYFR" became the song on many basketball and football warmup playlists. It was a party anthem, everyone was saying "Hell Ya F***ing Right". "Practice" was more of a dance song, really great beat, and club related lyrics. On Drake's songs "Make Me Proud" he partnered with Nicking Minaj and released one of the best collabs that year. It debuted at 97 on Billboard Hot 100 and reached peeked at 9 on the billboard. "Make Me Proud" is tied fourth of all time for the biggest leap in the charts. 

Take Care: Take Care 

The record featuring Rihanna reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On this song Drake uses a mixture of his sentimental side and uses a beat that is fast and very catchy but yet the lyrics are more about love, and "less hard". To this day Take care is still performing well, Drake and Rihanna sold 162,000 digital copies. The two artist at that time had a thing for each other, which spark the hype for the song and made it so successful. The song is recognizable worldwide, probably the best song on the album. This album is by far one of Drake's best albums, to this day you will hear the album being played in cars, clubs, studios, and in the sad hours of the night. If you are a  Drake's fan you listen to this album over and over and over again because it never gets old. Like fine wine, it gets better with age. 

East vs. West

Most people that listen to rap music have a preferred style. Most commonly, the styles can be split up into two categories; 'East rap' and 'West rap.'

While both sides have many talented artists in this genre, there can only be one great side. Which side are you on; East or West?

Artist Timeline: Anderson .Paak

Brandon Paak Anderson (Anderson .Paak) is a rapper, artist, producer, and musician from Oxnard, CA.  He was a bit of a late bloomer compared to many other rappers as he didn't have an album reach the charts until the year he turned 30 years-old.  However, this has not held .Paak back as he continues to grow and develop.  His signature sound in his music is more soulful and R&B-esque, though he has quite a few songs that are more hip-hop than others.  Take a look at Anderson .Paak's career from his first albums under the persona "Breezy Lovejoy" to what he is today.

Every artist has their own unique journey, .Paak included.  From Violets are Blue to Ventura, Anderson .Paak has grown as a musical artist and a person.  At the same time, .Paak has not forgotten his roots and his signature sound, while still creating original music.  It will be interesting to see what's next for Anderson .Paak as more of the world recognizes his talent and he continues to grow in popularity.

5 Changes in Rap Music Throughout the Years

5 Changes in Rap Music Throughout the Years

Rap music has been an evolving and forever changing genre of music. Throughout its time there have been endless changes in all aspects pertaining to rap music. In this series, we cover five changes from how it was in the past, to how it is in the present day. 

In the end...

Rap music is far from where it first began and we can all agree on that. Whether it is in a better place or not is a topic of opinion left up to only each and every individual. The genre has grown though, and there are several sub-genres along with hundreds of thousands more listeners and fans. The "culture" may be greater than its ever been. And that in itself may be a great outcome of where rap music is today.