Drake’s latest album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, is a return to his signature mix of smooth R&B and moody production. Collaborating with PartyNextDoor, the project delivers some of Drake’s most refined late-night vibes in years. But as we all expected, the conversation around the album has been overshadowed by the narrative of Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar, a battle that has turned much of the hip-hop world against him.
From the beginning of the album, it’s clear that Drake isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. Instead, he leans into what he does best, creating emotional anthems that feel both personal and widely relatable. Tracks like “Nokia” showcasing his ability to float over minimalist beats, effortlessly switching between rapping and singing, this track clearly shows how Drake feels about the “Drake elimination” by the industry. PartyNextDoor’s contributions are strong, adding a layer of nostalgia for longtime fans; he has a few standout moments, but most notable on “WHEN HE’S GONE,” Drake and PartyNextDoor have always been a great combo together, and this album is a reminder to their chemistry.
Despite delivering a solid project, Drake is dealing with an unusual amount of forced hate. Ever since his feud with Kendrick Lamar became public, a significant portion of hip-hop fans, especially Kendrick’s supporters, have made it their mission to discredit anything he puts out. This isn’t to say the criticism is entirely unwarranted. Drake has certainly made some missteps, but it’s clear that much of the backlash is more about the cultural moment than the actual music.
The album itself doesn’t address the beef directly, but you can hear Drake’s awareness of the situation in tracks like “GIMMIE A HUG” and “GREEDY,” where he reminds people that no matter what’s being said, he remains at the top of the game. Love him or hate him, Drake continues to make music that dominates the charts, and this album proves he isn’t going anywhere as he has debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, knocking off Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” also surpassing the Weeknd to earn the biggest streaming week for any album in 2025 with 287 million streams, and earning the most top 10 hits by any artist in history with 80. Not too bad for a guy the industry apparently tried to erase.
While $ome $exy $ongs 4 U may not be the groundbreaking project that shifts the industry in his favor, it is a strong reminder of why Drake has been at the top for so long. The music speaks for itself if people are willing to listen.