Superstar rapper Drake released his fourth solo album Views late Thursday via iTunes and Apple Music. The streaming and retail deal, exclusive for a limited window, was signaled in the evening with an interview on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio.
The Toronto rapper straddles the line between chest-puffing raps and melodramatic R&B that’s less about lovemaking and more about relationship quarrels. Views leans on downtempo slow jams about fighting with your significant other in a Cheesecake Factory and sending group DMs to your exes.
It’s a soft, sad, TMI-laden manifesto of heartbreak with a controlling, often-absurd protagonist. Cue the idol Internet madness that twists timelines whenever Drake releases new music.
When you hear #VIEWS for the first time https://t.co/JINCq5eH7A
— Zay (@Aman_zay) April 29, 2016
#Views out today! @Drake is all over my phone. 🎶 pic.twitter.com/4z59VjdCsY
— Marilyn Denis (@MarilynDenisCTV) April 29, 2016
When Controlla is over and you realize Popcaan wasn't on it #VIEWS pic.twitter.com/dVwdwdjUYs
— yc (@yc) April 29, 2016
If me and drake went to elementary school together I'd have him write my love letters for me
— lil duval (@lilduval) April 29, 2016
"Why you got to fight with me at cheesecake, you know I like to go there" #VIEWS @drake https://t.co/P1EH44ieqo
— 💙🇺🇦Jon Cohen🇺🇦💙 (@faderfam) April 29, 2016
This interview w Drake's vocal coach is amazing. There's an entire screenplay here https://t.co/BfXBkmhlsG
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 29, 2016
As soon as I started listening to #views #Drake pic.twitter.com/mcopmE182T
— Nate Draheim (@nathandraheim) April 29, 2016
Drake made me call my ex lastnight, and I told her don't speak, just breathe in the phone so I can know you're doing ok.
— RoseQuan 🌹 (@__RayQuan) April 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/Genius/status/726034696006688768
https://twitter.com/broazay/status/725907836899708928
cheesecake factory gonna hit us with the wild corny tweet tomorrow
— Desus MF Nice💯 (@desusnice) April 29, 2016
While most fans seem to enjoy the sad tunes across Twitter, Drake—engulfed in a creative war last year with rapper Meek Mill allegedly sparked by accusations of ghostwriting—certainly offers up some bricks here. As Noisey’s Craig Jenkins noted:
I know this much. We won't be saying that's the best rapper out of any stripe behind this album.
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) April 29, 2016
"It's far fetched like I threw it a hundred meters/ I keep it a hundred like I'm running a fever" HE IS BRICKING THIS SO HARD WHAT THE FUCK
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) April 29, 2016
"Like it's goin in the trunk I put it all behind us"
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) April 29, 2016
"I'm a staple in the game & my paper's together"
"My life is on display like Truman"
Originally dubbed Views from the 6, the record is loaded with headlining collaborators. Early Thursday, Drake posted a list of credits on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEw0F_YDQLM/
It’s a well-coordinating marketing attack, to be sure. But unlike previous releases, met with instant acclaim, Views brought with it a hung jury.