With that said tho, my verdict for Iceman after listening to it multiple times… it’s solid. Nothing about it was terrible, nothing stood out as a massive hit for the masses, but it was a good. Introspective at times, cringe in some respects but cohesive for the most part. I’ve said that the problem with a lot of Drakes albums is that with the exception of the co opting whatever regional style is hot every so often, we essentially get the same thing from him every project. This time tho was clearly different. He had to come out swinging. As far as him being a pure MC this maybe the best he’s been on a proper solo album in a very long time. The opening track was a very good way to set the tone.
Getting the Kendrick shit out the way, it was expected that Drake was gonna take his lil shots. Anyone who wanted him to just pretend like the last two years didn’t happen and for him to act like things are status quo as far as his reputation goes are living in dreamville (pun intended). It is what it is. Hearing Drake trying to minimize the impact of what happened and K Dot’s success in the aftermath was at best, Jay-Z after “Ether” levels of coping. He didn’t go full Ja Rule “Blood in my Eye”, but at times he was toeing the line.
With that said the most interesting track on the whole album for me is “Make Them Pay” for one reason and one reason only.
I been wanting to get this sidebar off my chest for a minute. J Cole maybe the ultimate loser of this whole two year long trial. All this nigga had to do was pick a side lol. I side eye this nigga like I do people who wanna vote for third party candidates. Choosing none, giving the reasons why he did, and essentially ending two working and personal relationships while shooting yourself in the foot in the process is something he may not come back from. The Fall Off came and went so fast that I got more thoughts on why he would go out his way to ride around in Silver fucking Spring talking to college kids then anything he’s put on wax in the meantime. Drake will continue to make money and have hits, Kendrick will continue to have critical and commercial success… and J Cole forced people to admit to themselves that in the end there never really was a “Big 3”.
That was a tangent lol. Ima go get food and finish this review later.
