Drake – Dark Lane Demo Tapes

Review

Drake's mixtape "Dark Lane Demo Tapes" emerged as an intriguing precursor to his anticipated sixth studio album, dropping unexpectedly in May 2020. This compilation includes a series of tracks such as "War," "Desires," "When to Say When," "Chicago Freestyle," and "Toosie Slide," some of which had been previously leaked or shared on platforms like SoundCloud. Shifting away from his well-worn hit-making strategies, Drake experiments with a mix of genres including lo-fi, UK drill, trap, SoundCloud rap, R&B, and soul, veering into more atmospheric and less refined production territories.

The lyrical themes of "Dark Lane Demo Tapes" delve into Drake's nuanced reflections on failed and complex relationships, as well as his unapologetic prominence in the music scene. While the mixtape's eclectic sound and experimental nature received accolades for their bold divergence from Drake's previous works, some critics pointed out that the lyrics might not be as compelling as expected. Despite these mixed reviews, the mixtape performed well commercially, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and marking Drake’s third record to reach the top of the UK Albums Chart. Notably, the single "Toosie Slide" also debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, adding another milestone as Drake became the first male artist to have three number-one debuts on this chart. - Stephanie