When you describe Drake’s Take Care as “beautiful,” especially to those steeped in older hip-hop eras or skeptical of pop sensibilities, you might get a few raised eyebrows. It sounds almost paradoxical to use such a descriptor for a hip-hop album, a genre often associated with grit, struggle, and raw energy. Hip-hop, traditionally rooted in bass-heavy beats and narratives of overcoming adversity, might seem an unlikely canvas for beauty. Yet, Take Care, Drake’s sophomore album, consciously veers away from these conventions, embracing vulnerability and introspection with a sonic palette that is undeniably, well, beautiful.
The album’s opening track immediately sets this tone. Anchored by a delicate piano melody and Noah “40” Shebib’s signature atmospheric production, Drake navigates between rapping and melodic vocals with newfound agility. This sets the stage for an album that prioritizes emotional depth and sonic textures over traditional hip-hop machismo. This opening track, featuring a chorus from a vocalist linked to Our Lady Peace, signals a clear evolution from Thank Me Later. If Thank Me Later felt like Drake playing it safe after the meteoric rise of So Far Gone, Take Care is his bold declaration of artistic independence and a deeper exploration of his personal narratives.
Drake Take Care album cover showcasing a contemplative Drake, reflecting the album’s themes of introspection and vulnerability.
To truly appreciate Take Care, it’s worth revisiting Thank Me Later. Initially, Thank Me Later was met with somewhat ambivalent reactions, including my own. While it boasted catchy hooks, clever rhymes, and impressive production, it also carried a strong undercurrent of what some perceived as “softness.” However, those same hooks and beats proved undeniably addictive, drawing me back repeatedly throughout the summer of its release. Over time, a deeper appreciation grew for Drake’s willingness to be vulnerable and honest, even if it felt awkward at times. The album also delivered undeniable hits and collaborations like “Light Up” and “Miss Me,” solidifying Drake’s mainstream appeal. Returning to Thank Me Later after a break revealed its enduring quality and cemented its place as a standout hip-hop release in recent years. Much like his early influence, Phonte of Little Brother, Drake demonstrated a remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between rapping and R&B, unafraid to share his innermost thoughts, even at the risk of criticism.
This context sets the stage for the anticipation surrounding Take Care. As Drake teased the album with tracks like the player-hater anthem “Marvin’s Room” and “Trust Issues,” questions arose about the album’s potential. Despite his immense success in 2010, Drake seemed to be grappling with personal turmoil. His lyrics hinted at anxieties rooted in pre-fame relationships and suburban upbringing. The central question was whether Drake could authentically convey this vulnerability across an entire album, or convincingly embody this persona. Take Care answers with a resounding affirmation. Drake, alongside 40 and a collective of collaborators, aimed to create a pop-rap masterpiece that could rival Kanye West’s monumental My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. While they might not have fully reached that exact pinnacle, they came remarkably close, crafting an album that is both ambitious and deeply resonant.
Following the evocative opener, the subsequent tracks on Take Care serve as a prelude to the album’s core themes. Drake explores his loyalty to his inner circle, his view of extravagance as a coping mechanism, and revisits personal struggles previously hinted at in Thank Me Later. A recurring motif is Drake’s acceptance of responsibility for his life and the well-being of those around him, a sentiment that culminates in later tracks. After the sonically challenging “Crew Love” featuring The Weeknd, which requires multiple listens to fully absorb its unconventional structure, Drake collaborates with Rihanna on the album’s poignant title track, “Take Care.” This song is a reimagining of Jamie xx’s remix of Gil Scott-Heron’s “I’ll Take Care of U.” Building upon their previous lyrical exchanges in Thank Me Later, where Drake acknowledged his shortcomings as a partner, Rihanna delivers a surprisingly tender vocal performance. Her verses offer forgiveness and a promise of enduring friendship. Drake reciprocates this sentiment, creating a moment of mutual understanding and emotional maturity. The track “Marvin’s Room” follows, Drake’s now-iconic drunken late-night confession, where he confronts an ex-girlfriend’s new relationship and articulates why he believes he should be back in her life. Adding to the album’s eclectic nature, a hidden interlude features a young Kendrick Lamar recounting his first encounter with Drake, sensing his impending superstardom. This abstract and unexpected inclusion works surprisingly well, feeling like a genuine moment of industry camaraderie.
Drake and Rihanna performing “Take Care” live, highlighting the song’s emotional depth and their collaborative chemistry.
The subsequent section of Take Care is often the subject of intense debate and discussion. Producer T-Minus delivers a trio of tracks characterized by heavy bass and 40’s signature sonic filters, as Drake revisits themes of loyalty and introspection. Then, Just Blaze contributes what many hailed as the beat of the year – a powerful, soul-infused production featuring Rick Ross. On this track, Drake confidently confronts critics who dismiss his “softness,” reclaiming vulnerability as a strength. However, this assertive phase gives way to “Good Ones Go,” a tender ballad reflecting on missed opportunities and relationships lost in the pursuit of fame. Drake delves into detailed narratives of women he failed to connect with on a deeper level, enlisting Andre 3000, Stevie Wonder’s harmonica, and Lil Wayne to articulate the complexities of his experiences. These tracks lean heavily into Drake’s R&B inclinations, utilizing Auto-Tune to enhance the emotional resonance. While some listeners might find this segment less engaging, it represents a deeply touching and personal core of the album. “Doing It Wrong,” featuring Stevie Wonder, stands out as a particularly poignant track, reaching The-Dream levels of pop perfection. Stevie Wonder’s harmonica subtly underscores Drake’s lament about the challenges of navigating love and friendship in youth.
As Take Care approaches its final three songs, the album’s expansive scope becomes apparent, even as the runtime surpasses an hour. “Look What You’ve Done” feels like a pivotal moment, where Drake lays bare his emotions and prepares to conclude his narrative. He revisits his journey to fame, focusing on his relationship with his Southern uncle and his bond with his mother. The maternal relationship takes center stage, with the song opening in his mother’s basement, featuring a conversation with his former girlfriend Nebby. Drake and his mother discuss her struggles with smoking, his initial anger, and his subsequent relief at being able to financially support her health and provide her with opportunities like a European vacation. The uncle segment recounts formative summers in Houston and the life lessons learned during those visits. This deeply personal track culminates in a monologue from his grandmother from her retirement home, echoing the emotional weight of Kanye West’s “Runaway.” Following this introspective peak, the album shifts gears with the hype track “HYFR” featuring Lil Wayne and a syrupy R&B rendition of Juvenile’s “Back Dat Azz Up,” perhaps as a momentary release before the album’s finale. The concluding track, “The Ride,” is considered by Drake and many of his peers to be his finest work to date. Another collaboration with The Weeknd and his production team, similar to “Crew Love,” it requires multiple listens to fully grasp its nuances. Drake’s verses are unfiltered and direct, dismissing critics while exploring the complexities of his current life. He grapples with the struggle to maintain normalcy and move on from past relationships, contrasting his current ease with his past struggles to achieve his present success. These verses are rich in detail and represent some of the most profoundly human moments in his already deeply personal discography.
Take Care might not boast as many immediate radio hits as Thank Me Later, nor as many obvious singles. However, aside from a somewhat awkward Nicki Minaj verse and a less impactful Lil Wayne feature on “HYFR,” it stands as one of the most consistently smooth and engaging hip-hop and pop albums of its year. Unlike Thank Me Later, the album’s minor shortcomings are not attributable to Drake or his production team. He and 40 have crafted a cohesive sonic template, resulting in near-perfect track sequencing and holding the listener’s attention throughout. This raises an intriguing question: while Drake’s initial success was undoubtedly amplified by his association with Young Money, particularly alongside the pop-centric versions of Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, Take Care‘s strengths lie in his Toronto connections and broader industry relationships. This prompts consideration of whether Drake might be even more creatively liberated and successful as an independent artist. Yet, at this juncture, Drake’s biggest potential obstacle is arguably himself. Despite criticisms of being “corny,” he is an exceptional songwriter who embraces his quirks, a quality that is highly valuable in a pop artist, especially one capable of creating music as sonically rich and emotionally captivating as Take Care.
