(J)ournal (O)f (K)1ng (E)ljay – “State of Address: Part One (Drake)”

Shhhh... Drake's thinking of a new punchline, don't disturb him...

The homie H2 inspired these. Basically put, it’s my in-depth opinion on certain superstars in the industry. H2 went on a rant with his and jumped to 17 different artists, but I’m just going to pick one for today. Shouts to the homie for the idea, and hit him on twitter (although he’s a Twitter Bully…lol)

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This one might not make sense to a lot of people. Lately I’ve been wondering how come I’m not feeling Drake musically as much as I used to. The music is still technically the same quality as “So Far Gone” (his mixtape) and all of his lyrics still have that zing to it, but I’ve been unable to isolate a real reason for why I’m losing interest in his music.

For a lot of people, their reason would be because he’s everywhere, all the time, constantly. A lot of people get tired of artists when they’re oversaturating themselves in the media, and although I could see that happening with Drizzy, that aspect does bother me personally in music. I mean… to be blunt, I followed Charles Hamilton and Lil’ Wayne during their onslaught of releasing music, so it’ll NEVER seem like too much for me because I’m used to the way they used to do music.

Some people would say it’s because of his monotone flow and his patterned songs. Basically put, he raps verses, and then sings the hook, or sings and then raps at the end. Once again, that doesn’t bother me at all because I happen to like songs like that. Sometimes familiarity is a good thing.

So I began to overanalyze what’s wrong with “me”, and I went back and listened to all of his mixtapes starting at “Room For Improvement.” Ironically, I saw this “When I Was 17” special that was posted on 2DopeBoyz.com (or MTV.com, or somewhere), and I saw how Drake used to be when he was younger. One of the guys on there said he used to steal his parents car and act like it was his in order to fit in and be cool. He became a club promoter at a point, and he dropped out of high school.

Hmm.

Then this Birdman song came on (“4 My Town”) and as I listened to the hook it clicked for me when it got to this part:

“…and I’m easily influenced by the n*ggas I’m around…”

See, over the last few years as I’ve watched Drake, he’s changed a little bit. We joke about stars becoming different once they make it, but I would rather him become different than as easily influenced by things as he is. Young Money hasn’t necessarily been the best place for him to be, and it’s become evident in some of his rhymes, which have become more and more arrogant as he keeps going.

He reminds me of Kanye West as far as bragging rights go, and granted, they were on the same song together and Drake performed at the Grammys, but the difference between him and Kanye? Kanye sold records like crazy, consistently. Drake has yet to do that, so for him to brag and say all the things he’s saying without even releasing a debut LP yet kind of bothers me. It always bothers me when someone says they’re the best. I feel that’s a title that someone else has to give you. Besides…I remember when Drake didn’t use to brag at all, and songs that don’t feature him bragging are the ones I like the most.

The other difference between Kanye and Drake is that Kanye’s not impressionable at all. He truthfully does not care what you think. He’s proven it time and time again. Drake has proven to me he’s easily influenced by people, and when you’re heading towards stardom like he is, that’s eventually going to turn into a problem.

Or maybe it is now, with all of those leaks springing for his album… Somebody in his circle’s messing up…

Bottom line, I really like Drake. I’m a fan of his music, I think he’s a dope writer, but he’s too easily influenced by the likes of other people…although he keeps screaming “F**k Ya Suggestions” on every 3-minute freestyle he releases. To me, it’s just not a good mix when an artist is THAT moldable.

Here’s to hoping that I’m dead wrong.

K1ng Eljay