CHAPTER 1: 'DON'T YOU HAVE A MAN'

(Originally Posted Monday November 10, 2014)

I remember the first time I heard a Drake song. It was 2008 and I was living in Brampton’s East-end with my mom and little brother (the tinier of the two wasn’t conceived yet) in a basement apartment in the middle of nowhere. I was proof-reading the novel I had started in 2005 and was formulating the idea for my second when my good friend at the time mentioned a new and upcoming Canadian rapper over MSN Messenger. “Who?” I asked, slightly sceptical but interested because my friend had more "timely" tastes than I did (I think I was into Coldplay and Radiohead at the time), and since he taught me everything I knew about football, I often listened to what he had to say. “Drake! The light-skinned dude from Degrassi!” he told me this explicitly; but being that I barely watched TV, even then, and hardly listened to the radio, I had no idea who he was talking about.

            Then he sent me the song that would open my eyes forever: “Don’t U Have a Man” featuring Dwele and Little Brother. I knew who Dwele was at the time, but Little Brother was new to me and I didn’t know exactly who was who on the track. I liked the song as a whole, feeling its smooth, Neo-Soul vibe and melodic lyrics, but for some reason I took to the guy starting off the song the most. His unpretentious realism on the song’s topic, as well as the line “Well/I’ma give it to you honey bunches/You feel it all under ribs like some tummy crunches…” instantly appealed to me and I remember being so entertained! I thought, “Wow… What a way to put it! Who would think of that? So clever!” And it stuck! My friend quickly explained that Drake was the first rapper on the song while I simultaneously added it to my MP3 player, and after that, I listened to the track over and over again as I slowly fell in love …

            That was the beginning, and I had no idea then what would become Drake now. All I knew then was that, if he had them, I had to find more Drake songs!

Where were you when you heard Drake for the first time?

Chapter 1: Don’t You Have a Man? 

Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

“Don’t you have a man?” He asks me sideways, head bent and leering. I don’t know why he always has to do this. He knows my situation and last time I checked he was okay with it.

Still, he does this every so often, I think to annoy me, but I could be wrong. We’ve been seeing each other on the sly for how long now? And he always finds a way to ever so subtly put me on blast. “Don’t you already have a man, boo?” or “My bad, I thought you already had a man” have become his favourite lines when he gets like this, but he knows that I know that in a perfect world he’d want to be my man. And why? Because I’ve got everything he likes. I’m the perfect package; I’m just not single. And though it would seem like I’m trying to make him my man, that couldn’t be further from the fact: which is only that I like the things he provides that my actual man doesn’t. And I’m honest about that. It would just seem, to me, that he doesn’t know how to handle it.

Wanting to get busy after a nightcap and possibly spend the night does not a girlfriend make! And I curse the ears that would hear so and tell the mind otherwise! I mean, a girl has the right to have sexual expectations from a guy who could pretty much be described as her Boyfriend #2 if we’re going by Pleasure P’s standards—but, for whatever reason, it reflects poorly upon me and then I have to deal with this guy thinking I want to be his girl, which is, frankly, and given the circumstances, impossible!

In reality, though, he has been getting comfortable with having me around lately—I can tell. Calling me to find out when I’m coming over, cuddling up to me when we’re lying together on the sofa: it just seems a little odd that he would make such statements and then hold my hand when he’s walking me from his apartment to my car. Sure everything starts off copacetic, but even a guy who knows his role tends to get emotionally attached. And I’m not saying that that’s the case, but then why would he ask me a question he already knows the answer to?

TO BE CONTINUED ...

CHAPTER 2: 'SPECIAL'

(Originally Published Thursday November 13, 2014)

Before I found out about and downloaded Comeback Season, my search for more Drake songs led me to a song I still hold dear to my heart to this day (not unlike many other Drake songs I adore). I first heard the song on the old Flow 93.5 back in the day and was excited beyond belief when I realized that it was the same dude whose song I had just been introduced to the week before—and on the radio no less! Now that Drake is all over the radio it seems silly to recall my excitement back then, but at that time, the recognition of his voice, his style – albeit a bit younger – was an accomplishment to me. I had been stuck on Don’t U have a Man since adding it to my playlist and had not yet invested the time to find more Drake songs. That, of course, changed that moment, and when I got home later that evening, I was on a search to find the song I had heard on the radio.

            Not only was I amped to find the song to see if I was right about it being Drake, I also felt the song added a ray of genuine sunshine to a day that was already bright. It felt like a continuous smile on a dimpled face and I hoped for the opportunity to hear it a second time to see if it really held this luminosity.

            Lo and behold, it did. And I’ve been smitten by the song ever since. I feel like it comes from a place of sincere quality and the embellishment of the hook only adds to that sentiment. It describes a truth I think we all share and absolutely solidified my reasons for finding more of what this new artist had to offer.

            The song was “Special” featuring Voyce (who, by the way, has a really nice voice), and there couldn’t have been a better song title to foreshadow what Drake would later become to me, as well as the rest of the world.

DRAKE - SPECIAL (FT. VOYCE)

What Drake song is most “special” to you?



Chapter 2: Special. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

AFFION:

Okay, it’s time I admitted it: This girl is really starting to grow on me. I was doing a pretty good job of denying it to myself before, but I know it won’t be much longer until I fall head-first into something so deep it has the potential drown me …

I want to say I don’t know what it is about her that’s got me trippin’ lately, but I do: She’s different. And as corny as that sounds, it’s true. I don’t know anyone as down-to-earth as she as; as confident; as sexy. She’ll wink at me from across the room and my dick is instantly vertical. She’ll rub my head after we orgasm and I swear I could just melt there in that moment, staying inside of her forever.

It isn’t all about the sex, though; she really just makes me feel better. She laughs at my jokes, she’ll shit talk when we play video games, and she always encourages me to go for the things I want: She’s special, man, and I don’t know why she chooses to mess around, but it’s her prerogative. And I’m sure that even if dude did find out, he wouldn’t let her go because girls are not made like this one anymore.

I can’t even imagine what he must get being her man! I’m only a side-dude, and if she gives me this kind of loving, her dude at home might even be oblivious! But I don’t want to think about that; I don’t need to. When she’s here with me, that’s all that matters, and I don’t want to have to call her again to find out when that will be, but at this rate I might have to ‘cause I haven’t heard from her in a couple days and I think I’m starting to miss her …

TO BE CONTINUED …      

A "SPECIAL" Bonus:

Extra Special by: Jae Antoinette

You have to be special—distinctive, to boot.

Spontaneous. Precocious. Eclectic. And Cute.

Intrinsic. Alluring. But Loyal as well,

And if in that order, the word it will spell.

You have to be caring, and ready to please:

A blanket, a pillow, a cloth when I sneeze.

A cup when I’m thirsty, a drink for my glass,

A lifetime of magic is all that I ask.

You’ll need to be daring, and call out my name,

So that, when I hear you, I'll know you'll be game.

You’ll need to be all that I’ve wanted and more,

I think all besides that would be quite a bore.

I want you to tame me and all in one glance,

And twirl me, not spin me, if ever we dance.

And when I get lonely, I’ll want you quite close,

So that we can talk ‘til we’re both comatose.

I’ll want you to be there at times when it’s rough,

To show me, then tell me, I’m more than enough.

It’s then you will see me for all that I am;

I could be that girl, if you’d be that man.



DRAKE - EXTRA SPECIAL (SPECIAL REMIX)

CHAPTER 3: 'A.M. 2 P.M.'

(Originally Published Monday November 17, 2014)

It was after finding the song Special I was introduced to Drake’s first mixtape, Room for Improvement, released in 2006. What I liked about the mixtape before even hearing it, I have to admit, was the title. The words “Room for Improvement” struck a cord with me because I was very much into personal growth and self-development at the time. Spirituality was a very big deal to me back then, as well as how much I grew as a person, and I liked that Drake came off the bat clarifying that there was always more to improve on; that nobody was perfect.   

            I took my time to listen to the mixtape so as to give it a fair analysis with no preconceived notions as to what it should sound like, and I found myself connecting with not only the truth and practicality of Drake’s writing, but his verbal delivery as well. He was—and still is—very honest and straight to the point, so you know exactly where he’s coming from on a whole and within each song.

Although there were/are many a great and significant song on Room for Improvement such as “Do What You Do,” “City is Mine,” “Bad Meaning Good,” “Thrill is Gone,” “Video Girl,” “Try Harder,” and “Come Winter,” I can’t help but favour the record “A.M. 2 P.M.” featuring Nickelus F., which starts with a FIRE verse from Mr. Nickelus F. himself. Now, I had never heard of this rapper out of Virginia pre-Room for Improvement, but I couldn’t have liked him more than I did in this song right here! His legit lyrical ability compounded by the mellow beat and Drake’s multilayered verse, make it something reminiscent of Nas and AZ back in the 1990’s—and who didn’t love them? The song is real, meaningful, and just feels good, and although Nickelus F. had two other features on Room for Improvement (“Money (Remix)” and “Scorpio’s Mind”) I remember kicking back to A.M. 2 P.M. the most and just vibing as the music took me over.

DRAKE - AM 2 PM (FT. NICKELUS F.)            

What was your favourite song on 'Room for Improvement?'

Chapter 3: A.M. to P.M. 
Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

Today I woke up with a smile on my mind—and it wasn’t my boyfriend’s …

I get out of bed, shower, brush my teeth and dress, and all to the memories of last night’s affair: Affion tickling me as I trash-talk during 2K; feeding him from my fork as we eat dinner; the love-making that lasted about four hours … It would all seem as if I were living someone else’s life; a life where I was free to do as I pleased … And now my actions are catching up with me—emotionally.

I almost forget that I have plans with my boyfriend until I receive a text from him at lunch, and I’ve never been one for guilt, but by the end of the day, I can’t deny that Boyfriend #2 is starting to worm his way into places I’d rather him not be. I always did say that if things got too personal and I started to get lost in any sort of fantasy I would ‘abort-mission’ so that reality could remind me of where I’m supposed to be. And I don’t know how I let these feelings in, but now that it’s happening, I might have to jump-ship to avoid it getting any worse …

                                         TO BE CONTINUED …

CHAPTER 4: 'REPLACEMENT GIRL'

(Originally Published Thursday November 20, 2014)

After downloading and listening to the Room for Improvement mixtape, the next natural step was to download and listen to the Comeback Season mixtape, released in 2007. I quickly learned that Comeback Season hosted the record “Don’t U Have A Man” that I loved so much and that had originally introduced me to Drake; but, more than that, I could already see the growth in his music, his writing style and his lyrical delivery, which is more similar to the Drake we know today. The hard metaphors, the close analogies, the humorous punch lines: The entire mixtape was a compilation of the new and improved Drake, and I was blown away! It was clear he had learned a lot from his previous release and, with a higher confidence in what he could do, decided to come a lot harder with the talent in order to showcase why he knew he was destined to be more than ‘just another Canadian rapper.’

And then, on a day not unlike so many other days I’d experienced at the time, I just so happened to tune into MuchMusic – Canada’s #1 channel for music videos – to see what was going on and possibly inspire a little background noise when what would pop-up next on the playlist but Drizzy Drake Rogers’ first independent video: “Replacement Girl” featuring Trey “Trigga” Songz!  

            It’s funny because, when I first heard Drake, I would have never thought he looked the way he did (being devoid of Degrassi and all …), talk about high-yellow! You didn’t get to see a lot of him what with all the dancing girls, quick or distant camera shots and extremely large and dark sunglasses covering most of his face; but it was a milestone, and it’s amazing to see how much a person can not only grow, but grow-up after coming from such humble beginnings.  J

DRAKE - REPLACEMENT GIRL 

(FT. TREY SONGZ)

What did you think of Drake’s first video?

Chapter 4: Replacement Girl. 
Written By: Jae Antoinette

AFFION:

I can’t believe she’s doing this! I should’ve known better. The woman is unstable and I started to get too close. Obviously she is unstable, or why would she be cheating on a perfectly good guy? From what I’ve heard he hasn’t done anything wrong, but somehow she ended up with me … probably because she is unstable!

            I thought everything was going fine. I know she ‘said’ she didn’t want sentiment, but we were fucking for Christ’s sake! You can’t keep fucking without sentiment. Now she wants to stop seeing me, and I would honestly be pissed-off if I wasn’t so hurt. Yeah, that’s right: Hurt; me, the Boyfriend #2.

            Now I’m out with the homies try’na see if I can conjure up and court a replacement girl for the night. Maybe for longer if she’s anything like Kendra …

            Dammit, Affion, stop this shit! Kendra is unstable, man; you’re better off without her! Now take a look at that girl over there … Yeah, the one with the big, ol’ booty and the long-ass hair … Imagine tapping that booty from the back while you pull on all that hair … Equal amounts of hair and booty just longing to be felt up by you …!

            But I’m not going over there. I’m not so desperate that I can’t wait for a girl to come over to me—and one will. Kendra may not know it, but this fellah right here has a whole lot of mack in him. Just because she couldn’t handle it, doesn’t mean someone else won’t …

                                                        

                                   TO BE CONTINUED …

CHAPTER 5: 'THE PRESENTATION'

(Originally Published Monday November 24, 2014)

Comeback Season was the point at which my regard for Drake started to evolve. As I had mentioned before, I had already taken to him almost immediately in his song “Don’t U Have A Man” featuring Big Brother; but now I was beginning to feel something that hit me on a more profound level than just the hype of the next, up-and-coming rapper. Somehow—and for reasons that seemed deeper than logic—this musician became the physical embodiment of my two greatest passions—writing and music—and in a way that has yet to be matched by any other artist to this day. Of course I’ve liked other artists and felt connections to their music, but the connection I felt to Drake’s music, and ultimately, to Drake, the persona, was, and still is, like nothing else I have ever experienced. I saw so many aspects of sincerity, ingenious, and diligence in his work that I couldn’t help but respect how he portrayed himself as a person; and qualities like humility (even when boasting) and honesty (even if offensive) were ones that I naturally appreciated.

            The track “The Presentation” was/is the first song to open up Comeback Season, and boy, did it do just that! With an introductory beat (produced by the amazing Noah “40-40” Shebib!) that starts off cool, calm and collected, and then switches up part way through, it was the first song to give you a little taste of what Drake would “present” throughout the entire mixtape. One of my favourite lines: “I perfected my craft using mo’ sess/try’na make some cheese off a single is a process/get it? Craft, single, cheese, process …” was an example of Drake’s newly refined wit and was exactly the kind of ingenuity that appealed to me on a literary level. In writing, it is common to connect specific words or phrases to a theme previously mentioned in hopes that the reader will tie them all together, but the way that Drake did it here was clever because it’s not something you notice right away; especially in song format. And in case you happened to miss it, he proceeds to let you know what he’s done—which may seem haughty but is just as well in my books because it’s typically the little things that get overlooked. 

DRAKE - THE PRESENTATION

 What is a Drake line you’ll never forget? 

Chapter 5: The Presentation.
Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

I cannot hold out anymore … I feel so weak. So beguiled, and wild. And horny.

I miss the feel of my lover’s smooth hands all over my body … the temptation, the tenderness— the rush. It’s an addiction I’ve tried to quit, but my body is still there and so my mind follows … from my head, into his bed, and suddenly he’s there, whispering my name.

“Come back,” he beckons, “Come back to me …” And I want to, I truly do: I just don’t want the mess.

“The only mess we’ll make is of these sheets,” I hear him croon, and my insides bubble with delight: If only it were that simple.

          But I want it to be that simple; want to make him yearn for me the way I’ve been yearning for him. I know I did him dirty by trying to end things the way I did, but I figure he’s a big boy. We both knew what a relationship like ours stipulated, and now that I’ve made it more than clear that I’m serious, I’m hoping we can get back to business so I can get myself some real, good lovin’.

          How I’m going to make that happen, though, is the real question. Affion is still upset with me, so I can’t just dial him up for a booty-call. It’s going to have to be more thought-out than that, and possibly a little more tricky, if it’s going to work. I’ll have to entice him, enthral him, and engage him enough that he forgets what was said and submits to me. The presentation is all that matters, and if I can master that, I’m sure we’ll have his mattress squeaking in a matter of minutes!

          Mmmmm … So worth it!

                                            

                                     TO BE CONTINUED …

CHAPTER 6: 'GIVE YA'

(Originally Published Thursday November 27, 2014)

One of my favourite tracks from off of Comeback Season is another song Drake made featuring Trey “Trigga” Songz with a futuristic Hip-Hop beat produced by Terral “T-Slack” called, “Give Ya”. I used to turn off all of the lights wherever I was in the house and just vibe out to this song—usually with my tall, sparkle-filled lava-lamp glowing like a fluorescent blue phantom in the background. I loved the mood of the song (which is mainly due to the beat being fantastic), but I also liked Drake’s verbal presence as soon as he starts to rap. He always comes off as very bold and ready-for-action, and, to me, lines like, “And I ain’t try’na get to know nobody but you …” or “Usually the things I desire I always apprehend …,” and “I gave up a lot, to make it progress/I give it to you, and you take it the best” showed a confidence, an openness, and a self-awareness that made me pay attention.

One of the things I love about music is its way of allowing a person to see within the soul of an artist, and I liked what I saw whenever I listened to Drake's music.

DRAKE & TREY SONGZ - GIVE YA            

 Chapter 6: Give Ya. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

 AFFION:

She showed up on my doorstep wearing nothing but a trench coat … I was so shocked; I almost couldn’t believe it! I wanted to slam the door in her face just to show her she couldn’t tempt me with a long jacket and some nudity, but I was drooling before I could excrete a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. My inherent male eyes took a moment to scan her silky, smooth body, and my only desire was to get her inside so I could find out how wet she was … and it was a storm that night.

            I pulled her in close, her bare nipples poking into the skin on my chest, and I exhaled a breath of fire I knew would melt her to her core. I wanted her to drip for me, to regret any decision she ever made to leave me out in the cold—and I wanted to do it in a way she’d never forget.

            She brought a bag of goodies with her: it looked like handcuffs, some candles, some whipped cream and lube; but I tossed that shit aside and got ready to feast on this woman I’d hoped would come back to me, and I was ready to do it with relish. Never again would she take for granted what she had gotten so easy, and I’d make sure that the thought of a repeat would be the last thing on earth she’d ever want to do.

            Holding her against the wall, I traced my fingers seductively around her pubic bone, and as my lips found the weak spot between her collarbone and neck, I knew that what I was about to give her was more than she was prepared to get …

                                                      

                                   TO BE CONTINUED …

A #throwbackthursday Tie-in Bonus:

Drake - Bad Meaning Good 
(Ft. Slakah the Beatchild)

            

ENJOY!  

CHAPTER 7: 'DO IT NOW'

(Originally Published Monday December 1. 2014)

Diverting from Comeback Season for a moment, I think it’s only right I follow-up my previous post, but correctly mentioning one of my favourite Drake tracks of all time: “Do It Now.” Now, this song is not to be confused with my selection of favourites from off of Drake’s various mixtapes & albums—no. This one is, by far, in a class of its own. 
            I heard this song after downloading a mixtape called “Heartbreak Drake 2” and nothing was the same again! I instantly fell in love with this track and it soon became the accumulation of everything ‘Drake’ to me. The beat, the lyrics, the delivery, the message … something about it just rang true and I still jam out to it to this day. In my first post I mentioned that I had been working on the finishing touches to my first novel Caught Up and it was this song, “Do It Now,” that prompted me to self-publish.

As is still true with my journey right now, I had been querying agents to no avail; but for some reason, when I heard this song, it was like a wake up call for me. “Don’t sit around and wait, do it now!” it beckoned, and I felt compelled to listen. Besides writing the book, it was my first real step in saying, “I am a writer, and I’m serious about it!” And because of that, just publishing the book in a ready-to-read format was an awesome experience for me.

I don’t owe my writing to Drake, of course, but I will always appreciate the influence the growth of his career and his music has had on me in the pursuit of my goals (to be a full-time writer) even to this day. J

DRAKE - DO IT NOW

Chapter 7: Do it Now. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

             

Well, I got it done … and it was goooooood! Backwards, sideways, upside down: the man had me squirming in ways I didn’t know I could move! I knew the sex we had was good, but there were no holds barred in that last brawl and we just went round for round after round … Then I spent the night. And I’ll be the first one to say that is usually a no-no, but how could I leave? The man had expended a tremendous amount of energy on me, and I was pooped! And who wouldn’t be? After an escapade like that it would practically be an insult NOT to stay, and I am not trying to go there again. Affion has been very reasonable throughout this whole ordeal and I’d rather not cause another kerfuffle where he's concerned. Besides, life is pretty good when both of my men are happy.

            Speaking of which, I was supposed to text my boyfriend to explain why he didn’t hear from me at all last night and I better do it now before it creates an argument. He's been quite agitated lately and no matter how buttery I act towards him, he doesn’t seem to be letting up. I’m almost positive not responding to his texts for over 12 hours will cause a stir, but I’m hopeful that I can soften him up with a little night-time magic. We don’t always get to share nights together, but perhaps I’ll have to surprise him with a gift slightly similar to Affion’s last present … I mean, I’ve never done it for my boo before, but maybe I will do it now …

                                                         

                                                       TO BE CONTINUED … 

   

CHAPTER 8: 'SMILE'

(Originally Published Thursday December 4, 2014)

Now that I’ve been sidetracked from Comeback Season, I have taken a dive into my archives and found a little mixtape I’d like to call: “The Empire and Drake”. I know this mixtape was released after So Far Gone, but it had A LOT of tracks on it that were, in some ways, BIGGER than those on So Far Gone, and so I have to digress. I can only assume that some of these songs may have been taken from other sources that were not originally from the ‘The Empire and Drake’ mixtape, but because they are a part of the compilation I got, I will continue to refer to them as such, and will probably swing between this mixtape and Comeback Season for the next little bit.

            Looking back on The Empire and Drake, though, I remember getting a lot more “party” from Drake than I had been used to with his other mixtapes—which I liked. Consciousness, improvement and growth are very important, no doubt, but it was nice to see some fun come out of Drake after all of his hard work on Comeback Season.

            An older song from The Empire and Drake I’d almost forgotten about but that I feel showcases both the “fun” and “conscious” Drake is another track featuring our boy, Voyce Alexander, called “Smile.” Not only do I love this song, but it reminds me of being near the waterfront in Toronto. I once went down there for an appointment and somehow ended up by a section of condos with small motorboats docked close to them in the rear. I made my way behind them, even though there were signs that read “No Trespassing,” and made myself comfortable under a gazebo. I had my earphones in and just listened to my music as boats and swans sailed by. It was beautiful. I walked around the area thinking about all of the great things life had to offer and hoped for the days I’d get to experience those things on a bigger scope. Drake’s music was my best friend back then and I’ll never forget the moments of irrevocable magic I had when I listened.

SMILE - DRAKE 
(FT. VOYCE ALEXANDER)

Chapter 8: Smile. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

DAUNTE:

Is it just me, or have things been a little off lately? I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but I know I don’t like it. Kendra’s had this unrelenting smile on her face every time I’ve seen her for the past couple of days and it doesn’t make any sense: What is she so happy about? A better boyfriend would be happy she’s happy, but it just makes me suspicious. She hasn’t shared why she’s smiling and I know I haven’t done anything tremendous enough to afford a smile that endless, so I don’t understand why it’s there. What could it be?

            I just don’t like feeling like she isn’t being honest with me. It’s one thing to not want to share, but I’ve already been seeing her a lot less often than usual, and the other she completely disappeared without a word for almost 12hours! Now, I’m not one to keep tabs on my girl or anything, but 12 hours? That’s kind of ridiculous. And all she had to say was that she was swamped from work, passed out early and woke up late. Yeah, right. I know my girl too well to fall for that shit. But what I don’t know is where she could’ve been all that time. Is she trying to surprise me with a gift? Could one of her family members I’m not too fond of have needed her to do something for them and she doesn’t want to tell me for fear I might get upset? Did she sneak out to the club with her girls? What? And what’s worse is that after giving her excuse of falling asleep, she totally brushed the situation off like there’s no need for concern. Well, maybe she isn’t concerned, but if we hadn’t been dating for as long as we have and I didn’t know her as well as I do—or even if I was a dope who just wanted to believe her because of this thing called “trust,” maybe I would take her word for it; but something isn’t right, and something hasn’t been right for awhile now, so it’s time I got to the bottom of it. I don’t know how or if Kendra will fess up to me, but if I find out that her cheery attitude has anything to do with her disappearance the other night, her incessant smile won’t be the only thing that’s unrelenting …

TO BE CONTINUED …

**BONUS TIE-IN SONG:**

DRAKE - DECEIVING

CHAPTER 9: 'I CAN TAKE YOUR GIRL'

(Originally Published Monday December 8, 2014)

This next song I am going to present was the second song I’d heard in which Drake was actually singing. The first time I'd heard it was in “B!#ch Is Crazy”, an amusing track from off of Comeback Season; and the second time was in “I Can Take Your Girl” with Lil Wayne and Kid Kid. I’m always a tad behind when it comes to keeping up in any scene, call it my ‘rebel’ spirit if you will, but from what I recall, I had taken to, and was still going through, a lot of Drake’s earlier works, or miscellaneous mixtapes including Drake, before I’d gotten to So Far Gone, and I remember this being one of those tracks. 

          Now, while the singing on B!#ch Is Crazy is very smooth and controlled, the singing on I Can Take Your Girl is a lot more fun and free-flowing. The track is clearly a fun (and possibly inebriated) one, and so it only makes sense that Drake’s singing would follow-suit. It’s probably the most I’ve ever heard Drake let go with singing, and that’s what makes it different. He takes risks with it, playing around vocally, and although a little shaky here and there, he doesn’t sound half-bad. There’s even a part where he sounds exactly like R. Kelly and I’ve had to wonder if R. Kelly was in the room! Of course he wasn’t, and I’m not comparing them, but that is just a testament to Drake’s capabilities when he lets go. And even though unpolished, I think this song emanates the best of Drake’s singing ability. Plus his verse is pretty dope too. 

I CAN TAKE YOUR GIRL - 

DRAKE & LIL WAYNE 
(FT. KIDD KIDD - who kills the track BTW!)

Chapter 9: I Can Take Your Girl. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

AFFION:

I haven’t stopped smiling since my night with Kendra. She took everything I gave her like a pro and wasn’t afraid to ask for more in all of her sordid ways. I miss her. Haven’t stopped missing her. And I can’t with to show her everything I’ve been feeling for her since she’s been away.

            I saw her on the street the other day shopping with her man. They didn’t see me pass by, but I definitely saw them. She was all hugged up on him and smiling, pointing to things as they passed the market, and, besides the jealousy I felt, all I could think was: Whatever, homie. Little do you know I can take your girl straight from you.

And now I plan to.   

            It’s been a minute since I’ve felt the need to carry out an action such as this one, but I accept the challenge and plan to execute it within the next few weeks. It might be tough since Kendra obviously would’ve left her man already if that was her intention, but I’m hopeful. And Kendra is as Kendra does, so if I put on the pressure and turn up the heat, she might just exploit herself and make my job that much easier. It doesn’t take rocket science to make a girl trip up. Placement and strategy will be my key objectives here, and once I’ve created a formula, I can test my theory until it is fact. I’d rather do that than cop her boy’s number and send him anonymous texts. That’s just a little too down and dirty for my tastes. But if I can’t get by on plan A, ‘… By Any Means Necessary’ will have to be my plan B. I’m not one to stay on the sidelines for longer than I want to be, and right about now, I’m feeling like it’s time to take over the game … 

TO BE CONTINUED ...

CHAPTER 10: 'GET OVER IT'

(Originally Published Thursday December 11, 2014) 

There are some Drake songs that I can listen to and I’ll like it, it’s entertaining, I know it is good; but then there are songs I listen to that shift my reality, making me feel, completely beyond reason, and I almost get lost in them. It’s like I’m there, speaking the words from my own mouth, an alter ego of the music, and suddenly I’m liberated, free, and sparkling. I’m shining through something I didn’t create but feels like my own because of what it represents, and that exact feeling is what the song “Get Over It” is for me.

I’d be lying if I said it was one of his greatest, but on its own level, it is. The beat is an amazing sample of an old school song by The Sylvers, and adages like, “I don’t get bitter, I just get better” or “I keep it generic and these n****’s take it personally” or “Living life from a whole different angle/only see the road through the wings of an angel” allude to those constructive qualities I appreciate so much.

Then more amusing lines like, “Look, I stands out/don’t think this ain’t some shit that I done planned out/and life is beautiful as ever when it pans out/and girls are beautiful until they want a handout…” and “They seem to love me when the shit was going nowhere/but now they got a bunch of feelings that they won’t share/they just give me the ‘fuck-it-I’m-broke’ stare/Drake was at the club and he ball [bald] like no hair” show the insight and wit of a person who is just telling it like they see it, and with that, I truly see this song as one of Drake’s more defining singles. And anyone who disagrees is gunna have to Get Over It!

(P.s. This version is kind of fast, but it's all I could find.. Enjoy anyway!!)

Chapter 10: Get Over It.  / Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

Yesterday I ducked a close call. Daunte and I had just come back from some street-shopping around the farmer’s market and were on our way to his place when he suddenly asked me, out of the blue, where I had really been the night he couldn’t get a hold of me. I was stunned, to say the least; a little caught off guard and taken aback, but I handled myself with a fabricated finesse that is starting to come naturally these days. Shaking off my staggered daze, I asked him what he meant and added that I had told him already since it seemed to have slipped his mind. Not particularly enthused by this response, Daunte shook his head and I could see the stress coming over him like an ominous cloud. He desperately wanted to hear the truth I couldn’t give him and that made for a very uncomfortable ride home, which I unsuccessfully tried to lighten with expressions of joy emanating from the other side of the window. I pointed at this and feigned interest in that, but all to no avail, so I figured it was time for my master plan.

            Like Affion, I had been preparing to surprise Daunte with an “extra special” treat in hopes of getting his mind off of last week’s devious event, and yesterday became the perfect time. So after he stopped riddling me with questions, and we got back to his apartment, I slipped out of my clothes and into his lap, and began to riddle him with my best moves, complete with passionate sounds. I rocked his world straight out of rotation so I hope he’ll finally get over it because I tried to stay away from Affion before and I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay away from him ever again …

TO BE CONTINUED …

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY BONUS TRACK:

(For the tons of snow that Canada's GTA & Peel Region just got..!)

DRAKE - COME WINTER

ENJOY!

CHAPTER 11: 'WHERE TO NOW / WHAT I'M THINKING RIGHT NOW'

(Originally Published Monday December 15, 2014)

Two songs I’ll forever hold near and dear to my heart—and which almost remind me of the other—are, “Where To Now” from Comeback Season and “What I’m Thinking Right Now” from off of The Empire and Drake. Each track contains only one verse on very well-constructed sample beats and both songs offer a reflection of the artist’s life with a hint of personal swank.

            “It was worth it, it was all worth it!” is the opening line in Where To Now and the part of the song I find most memorable. It’s reminiscent of that moment one get’s to in life when they can look back and recognize that everything they went through, good or bad, had its purpose and was worth being where they are right now because of what they’ve learned and/or because of who they’ve become. It’s that type of outlook—the same type I felt Drake had since first hearing Room For Improvement—that made me go out and buy the book ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene when Drake mentioned it in What I’m Thinking Right Now.  I’m all for positive knowledge, constructive information and new perspectives, and The 48 Laws of Power was a very well-constructed book that provided all of that and more on the topic of power. It gave me a greater insight into Drake and what he was trying to hone in order to get where he wanted to be, but it also showed me a lot about the work and wisdom that goes into gaining and maintaining positions of power in any situation. I wouldn’t exactly say the book was for me or that it was a testament to my ambition or goals, but it was definitely an informative read, and the sheer suggestion of something so valuable—and a book, nonetheless!—was another reason I looked at and up to Drake in all of the ways that I did.

**(And a special 'Happy Birthday' Shout Out to my twin bro and sis!) 

DRAKE - WHERE TO NOW

DRAKE - WHAT I'M THINKING RIGHT NOW

Chapter 11: ‘Where To Now?’ is What I’m Thinking Right Now. Written By: Jae Antoinette

DAUNTE:

It seems as if things have calmed back down to a normal pace with me and Kendra. The unremitting smile has now dissipated into something more recognizable and she hasn’t pulled another disappearing act, but I still can’t help but wonder …

She pulled an impressive move surprising me the way she did with tricks and treats and love-making so sweet—but it all felt like a cover-up. She wanted me quiet, wanted to change the subject and felt sex was the best way to do that. But I’m not that man. My mind could never be so distracted by sex that I would completely forget the thing that’s bothering me, and if she doesn’t know that by now, then she isn’t the person I thought she was.

It’s already looking like she isn’t the person I thought she was anyway, so the question is: What do I do now? Now that I feel the way I feel and the situation’s been handled the way it has been handled, what is the next step, huh? Where to now? Could I be crazy for thinking what I’m thinking right now when I have no real proof of anything besides Kendra’s seemingly suspicious behaviour and my own discontented feelings? Perhaps. But it’s all been enough to make me wonder, and wonder steadily. And that, in itself, is already too much …

               

                            TO BE CONTINUED … 

CHAPTER 12: '(I WANT THIS) FOREVER'

(Originally Published Thursday December 18, 2014)

Now, this next song may seem a little premature—especially if I’m supposed to be maintaining an order, starting from the bottom—but, surprisingly, and for those who are not aware, this song falls right in line with the sequence of events as I have embarked on keeping them. The song I am referring to is “I Want This Forever” or the “Forever (Remix)” featuring Drake and various artists. The original version of the song, “I Want This Forever” featuring Kid Kid and Lil Wayne, was the edition I was more accustomed to because of its being on the ‘The Empire and Drake’ mixtape. And so, when I finally did hear the remix – and I remember it like it was yesterday – I was very confused! I started rapping the lyrics to the original version and was unfortunately, and severely, cut-off before I could even begin! I thought Drake’s part of the song would be the same as the original, which it obviously wasn’t, but the newer verse was just as good and basically set him apart in a major way.

It was on this track, in the bars of this verse, that Drake initiated the ‘pause-punch-line-metaphor’ scheme he is so well known for and is commonly still used today. This style has influenced artists such as Ludacris and Nicki Minaj, and has even brought out the best in one of the world’s best wordplay Kings: Lil Wayne. Add lyrical beasts like 'Wayne, Eminem and Kanye to the track and you’ve got yourself a song that everyone and their mama wants to hear! And boy, did it blow-up.

The song was BIG, and an even bigger deal because, knowing where Drake had started from, he made it seem like no dream was too big to be impossible.

DRAKE - I WANT THIS FOREVER (Original)         

FEATURING LIL WAYNE AND KID KID          

 

DRAKE - FOREVER (Remix)

FT. LIL WAYNE, EMINEM & KANYE WEST

Chapter 12: I Want This Forever. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

AFFION:

You wouldn’t even believe what has happened … and I didn’t even have to lift a finger.

            Apparently Kendra and her man got into some huge fight over where she went the night he didn’t hear from her and the dude went totally ape-shit. He said he didn’t believe her, snatched up her phone and found a few unsolicited texts sent and received from an anonymous number. We all know who’s number it is – even if my name is not saved to it – and obviously so did he. 
            So I’m expecting to hear that he flips out, right? Maybe flips right out and smacks her – ‘cause if my memory serves me correctly the dude is kind of stocky and well-built – but no. He doesn’t hit her; doesn’t smash the phone; doesn’t even ask about the texts or say I told you so. He just shakes his head at what he’s found, chucks the phone and leaves. No bitter remarks toward her, no goodbye, no nothing. Just up and dips and never comes back.

She still hasn’t heard from him. No calls, no visits, not answering his phone. I think it’s safe to say that dude is done. And who could really blame him? But now Kendra is a free agent, and who do you think will pick up the pieces? I already decided we were going to be together, so all this event did was make that easier for me. Sure, she’ll be sad for a minute, but she never really loved this dude anyway or else she wouldn’t have been dogging him out the way she was by getting with me. She’ll have her moment of grief – especially if he never gets back to her – and in the meantime, I’ll be putting the smash on her so good it’ll be a minute before she even remembers his name!

I laugh, but I’m serious. Kendra is a clover. And since deciding that I want this forever, I’ve been having nothing but good luck. I was already pretty fortunate to find and snag her with her having a man, and now that he’s taken himself out of the picture, I can focus my attentions where they are duly needed …

                                         

                            TO BE CONTINUED …

                             #THROWBACKTHURSDAY BONUS TIE-IN:

                                         DRAKE - GOING IN FOR LIFE