CHAPTER 22: 'COMEBACK SEASON'

(Originally Posted Thursday January 29, 2015)

The next natural step in the Starting From The Bottom progression leads us toward So Far Gone. Now, I have to be honest. I was a little hesitant in going into So Far Gone 1) because I didn’t know how I would use the song titles on that mixtape and incorporate them into the chapters of a story—esp the way I had the story going; and 2) So Far Gone was soo many things that I’ve been so disconnected with since that I didn’t even know how I would get back to it. So far I’ve been writing every song with a little hint of magic behind my eyes, working around and with the songs that still touch me to my core; but I’m not one to boast about an album that’s already gotten so much hype—nor am I the type to jump on bandwagons or follow trendsetting so getting back to the places So Far Gone took me in the time it was actually happening seems like a feat. But I’m up for the challenge. An opportunity for growth could be dangling around the corner, and I could really use one right now. It’s at times like these that I try to pay attention, just to see how much I really know …

            Taking a step back, though; to close off one mixtape before starting another, I want to pay tribute to the growth of Comeback Season, both as a success and as a body of work from the time of Room For Improvement. There’s nothing like witnessing the growth of an artist and Comeback Season was in all ways that. It felt like a journey and a hunt and getting to that place when the prey is soo close you can taste it and that’s what I love most about it. Every track meant something, and if there’s one thing I can say about Drake it’s that most of his songs mean something. It’s for that reason that I have taken to ‘Starting from the Bottom’ and am determined to find a way to bring it all home.

            That being said, the featured song in tonight’s post is “Comeback Season” for a couple of reasons. In Monday’s post I brought up how Jay-Z’s rapping in “Ignorant Shit” reminded me of a few of Drake’s earlier works which also got me to thinking how—if you pay close attention, esp in tonight’s song—Drake’s old school rap favours the Fresh Prince of Bellaire. And not Will Smith or the rapper The Fresh Prince (although a little bit of both), but the character we knew and loved of the hit TV show. Will’s antics, his flash, his stupid way with the ladies and then finding out he was actually very sensitive, it all rings true with how Drake represented himself, I was going to say ‘on Room For Improvement and Comeback Season,’ but in all his work up to present! It’s like watching an expedition, and at the end of the day, after all of the partying and living it up settles down, there’s only where you started in terms of seeing the full 360. And I think it’s at that point a person really sees themselves and truly understand the whole excursion. 

DRAKE - COMEBACK SEASON

Chapter 22: Comeback Season. / Written By: Jae Antoinette

KENDRA:

It wasn’t that long ago that I was in love with my boyfriend. A time when we were making plans and setting aside time to complete them. A time when I was his #1 priority and he’d only have eyes for me … I fucked that up. But now I’m thinking I want it back …

            If it wasn’t for my inability to tell the truth when he repeatedly asked me I’m sure Daunte would’ve found it in his heart, somehow, to forgive me … I think I could’ve kept the engine rolling if I had just fessed up and wanted forgiveness, but I didn’t talk to promise it would stop and that’s where the problem really lies. Daunte needed me to not squander a chance with him and I couldn’t deliver the way he expected. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love me, which we obviously know he does, but I put him in an awkward position with himself where he had to choose either himself or me—and there’s no choosing me when I’m presently being unfaithful. No faith in the faithless. But I can prove him wrong.

            I want to be able to say infidelity will no longer be a part of the picture, but I don’t want to give myself too high of a place to reach to. I believe in my ability to get what I want, but keeping what I get seems to be the issue at long last. Affion—though my soul bleeds for him—has become a man lost in the fire and I can’t afford to think of him. He talked enough smack on my answering machine to make me think he wants out, but all I did was hit him where it mattered most and then left him out to dry. He thinks he’s in control, just like before, but his place is as a ‘side man’ so if I can get Daunte back maybe then we’ll be able to talk.

            For now, I think I’m going to give my ex a call. Every player needs a comeback season, so why not let this year be mine?

TO BE CONTINUED …