Five years ago today, Drake released his debut album Thank Me Later, under Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records.
Prior to the release of his debut, the Toronto rapper built quite a buzz for himself with 2009's So Far Gone. The EP, which went on to sell 500,000 copies, featured hits such as "Best I Ever Had" and "Successful." The project also received two Grammy nominations.
After inking a deal with Birdman and Lil Wayne's respective imprints, Drizzy was featured on posse cuts with YMCMB such as "Forever," "Bedrock" and "Money To Blow."
In June of 2010, Drake released his major label opener. Thank Me Later featured contributions from Alicia Keys, Jay Z and Jeezy, among others. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 447,000 copies in its first week.
Drawing inspiration from Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak, Drizzy quickly became a fan favorite notably due to his ability to smoothly transition between rapping and singing.
At the time of its release, Rolling Stone gave the album three and a half stars.
Drake is in total command of a style that would have been hard to imagine dominating hip-hop a few years ago: He's subtle and rueful rather than loud and lively; emotionally transparent rather than thuggy. He isn't the most naturally charismatic MC, but he is one of the wittiest, packing his songs with clever images ("I'm 23/With a money tree") and punch lines that land with a snap ("I live for the nights that I can't remember/With the people I won't forget"), even next to guests like Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, T.I. and Lil Wayne.
But more than anything, the sultry production gives Later a coherent vibe - it's an album meant to be listened to from start to finish. And judging by the anticipation around its release, it will be, many times over.
He followed up the release with 2011's Take Care.
