On May 15, Drake’s new album, Iceman, was released. After the feud he had with Kendrick Lamar, there was pressure in the air for this album. Many fans hoped that this album would be the biggest comeback ever seen from the man who lost the battle in the ring. The question: Was Drake able to fulfill this wish? 

When the time came, instead of one, Drake surprised us with two other albums: Habiti and Maid of Honor. Drake felt that releasing a larger body of music would regain his crown. The truth is, quality will always win over quantity. Instead of providing listeners with one album compacted with emotional and impactful hits, Drake decided to drop a quantity of songs, where the best were overshadowed by repetitive, soulless songs. 

Musically, Iceman is the strongest of the three projects. The album is laid back with moody production. Iceman features artists Future, Molly Santana, and 21 Savage. What captivates the audience is the lack of features, something the fans have been wanting from Drake. The rapper does a great job of fixating himself on a project like this.

Although the rapper showcases his life after the battle, it almost feels too heavy and unnecessary. He focuses too much on making a statement rather than creating genuine meaning in his lyrics. In the last eight years, his artistry has declined and shown us that he has had no growth as an artist; he keeps recycling the same ideas of partying, girls, and there is no deeper meaning behind the music anymore. Music made to go viral and not truly appreciated.

We don’t want to hear about Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, DJ Khaled, Rihanna, LeBron James, Playboi Carti, Jay-Z; we want to hear about Drake.

In Iceman he tries to convince his listeners that he is unbothered. However, throughout the album, he gives his opponents the spotlight. Throwing shots at old beef has gotten old. It does not sound like he is making a point about someone; instead, it sounds like constant complaining. 

What Drake does right is when he allows himself to be vulnerable to the listeners. He knows how to make vulnerability sound beautiful to the ear. In the song “Make Them Cry,” he displays his hardships to us. Those hardships include aging, patience, frustration, and his father’s cancer. When Drake is able to get to a personal level, that’s where his lyrics become raw and real. These songs remind you why he got big to begin with. 

That being said, releasing these three projects at once diminishes their impact. Habibti has potential, but sounds unfinished. Maid of Honor will be forgotten, and Iceman is the best one out of the three. These projects will continue to bring up the question of where Drake belongs in the rap space.