So Far Gone- a great way to launch a career

Canadian rapper Drake has been building a steady fan-base since the 2006 release of his first mixtape Room for Improvement. This buzz reached dizzying heights this past Friday with the release his latest So Far Gone. Fans waited with baited breath till the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on this zip file. Seriously, there were tales of folks only getting a couple of hours of sleep and hitting the refresh button hundreds on top of hundreds of times littered throughout the comment section of his official blog. The finished product is a cohesive yet eclectic mix of music showcasing Drake's versatility as an artist that also features some pretty big names.

So Far Gone opens up with "Lust For Life" a sparse, interpolated version of a Tears for Fears track that sets the tone for the rest of the mixtape. Drake reflects on his drive for success in the music game which is pretty much the basis for the rest of the lyrical content on Gone. "Lust For Life" quickly blends into the ethereal sounding "Houstatlantavegas" where Drake puts his considerable singing talents on display reflecting on a pretty, party hopping pretty girl. Both songs are reminiscent of Kanye's 808's and Heartbreak minus the auto-tune and the,well, heartache. "Successful" features frequent collaborator Trey Songz and Lil' Wayne makes his first of a few appearances.

Around "November 18" is where things start to get interesting. Produced by the late and legendary DJ Screw, Drake shows off his ability to adopt different regional styles without awkwardness. Elements of Houston and down south hip-hop culture sound natural coming from the Toronto bred rapper.

Drake's version of Jay-z's Ignorant Shit is just as enjoyable as the original. Over the Isley Brothers sampled Just Blaze beat, the chemistry between Drake and Lil Wayne is undeniable. Both come with some good quotables and neither outshines the other. The screwed ending is unexpected. Producer 40 flips Ignorant Shit back into the slow jam that "Between the Sheets" was originally. (So I guess that makes it a sample within a sample. Confusing, but a damn good idea.) Only this time, it's almost unrecognizable but no less sexy as "A Night Off"featuring Lloyd. The rest of the mixtape continues to straddle the line between great lyricism that the biggest of hip-hop snobs can appreciate and the jams that the most die hard R&B fans can rock with.

Drake has the ability to take the antithesis of typical hip-hop and make it into his own. Perfect examples are a very 60's rock influenced "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and a remix of Swede songstress Lykke Li's "A Little Bit." Honestly, So Far Gone feels more like an great debut album than a mixtape. It has something for everyone with enough diversity but not so far left that it alienates. If this is any indication of where he's heading, Drake's buzz is definitely not a passing fad.


The Report Card:

Production: A
One of the highlight of this mixtape is that even though some of it is recycled, there is a lot of original production courtesy of Producer 40. Even the samples are used in refreshing and new ways. Also, on deck are beats from master producers Kanye West and Just Blaze.

Flow/Lyrics: A
Compared to a lot of newer rappers out, Drake probably the top of the heap when it comes to lyricism. He exudes confidence and for good reason. The fact the he can stand with and even outshine veterans like Lil Wayne and Bun B is a testament to his talent as a rapper. Even on tracks where he sings the lyrics don't suffer. They aren't riddled with cliche.

Originality: B-
For the most part, the content is nothing new. Most of the themes: partying, money and success have been prominent in hip-hop since its birth. But the MC that can actually sing well is something rarely seen. Most rappers try but almost all fail. The honesty of So Far Gone is also refreshing. Drake doesn't pretend to be a drug kingpin or the hardest of the hard. He just speaks his truth.

Overall: A-
Musically, this mixtape has a lot things going on. But oddly, it works. It's a diverse but well put together effort. It's the perfect launch pad for a long career.