After releasing his third album in three years with For All the Dogs on October 6, 2023, Drake has continued to produce projects topping the charts. His repeated success with each production has allowed him to leave his mark on the rap and music industry. Since his career debut in 2006, with his mixtape Room for Improvement, the Canadian-born artist has released 8 studio albums. Here’s a list of Drake’s top five albums of all time.
- Certified Lover Boy (2021)
At the time of its release, critics argued this album did not live up to expectations. However, after letting each song marinate, Certified Lover Boy reaches the top 5 of this list. Released 15 years after his career debut, the album is a testament to Drake’s longevity. Champagne Poetry starts the project off, informing the readers “these are the effortless flows.” The album features an array of songs mixed with rap and R&B, including Fair Trade, TSU, Pipe Down, IMY2 and Knife Talk. The total length of the album is 1 hour and 26 minutes.
- If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)
With a running time of 1 hour and 8 minutes, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late comes in at number 4. The album includes hit songs such as Know Yourself, Jungle, Energy, 6PM in New York and You & the 6. His musical variety within this project makes it rightfully placed in the top 5.
- Views (2016)
Drake explores his feelings in Views, expressing his ups and downs in his past relationships. He connects with his hometown, Toronto, numerous times, rapping about how his upbringing shaped him into the artist he is today. The album cover is a tribute to Toronto, displaying a picture of Drake sitting on the CN Tower. It was through Views that Drake truly embraced the city as his own, popularizing Toronto as the “6”, because of the six municipalities that originally made up the city. Some of Drake’s most popular songs — (#1) One Dance with 2.9 billion Spotify streams and (#6) Hotline Bling with 1.2 billion Spotify streams — are in the 1 hour and 21 minute album.
- Nothing Was the Same (2013)
Nothing Was The Same opens with arguably one of Drake’s best introductions, Tuscan Leather. The song allows fans to predict how phenomenal the rest of the album will sound. He lays back on some of his more hardcore rap songs and explores his emotions through a lineup of slower, feel-good songs, including Hold on We’re Going Home, From Time and Come Thru. His 59 minute production solidifies its spot at #2 in his discography.
- Take Care (2011)
At the number one spot, Take Care earns its place. The album essentially set the bar high for Drake’s future, and the term “Old Drake” often refers to the songs coming out of Take Care. It serves as a reflection on the connection between failure and success, as failure in our past isn’t to be frowned upon but rather used as motivation to achieve a higher level of success. Ranging from smooth R&B styles in Marvin’s Room, Look What You’ve Done and Shot For Me, to quicker flows with Headlines, Under Ground Kings and The Motto, Take Care is an exhibition of Drake’s talent through various techniques.
