CHAPTER 32: 'SAY WHAT'S REAL'

Tonight’s song is going to be the LAST feature from off of So Far Gone before we move into Thank Me Later. This song, to me, is the most originally “Drake” record from off of So Far Gone and is a simple reminder of why he’s made it to where he is now, so far from where he started.

That special song is “Say Whats Real” featuring Kanye West’s “Say You Will” beat, and though Kanye’s version of the song is dope as well, I like that their approaches to it were so different. With Kanye singing and Drake straight rapping, it isn’t really a comparison, but if you ask me which version I heard first or know by heart, I will tell you ‘Drake’s’ with 100% honesty. I wasn’t on Kanye towards the 808s & Heartbreak days. Although I knew that the album had done really well, I was on everything “Drake,” and so, while knowing that it was Kanye’s beat, I was only very recently introduced to Kanye’s version. Sad, I know, but what can you do?

I remember the chatter that followed the release of this song because of Drake’s “Lost Blackberry.” I remember thinking how lucky a person would’ve been to find it because of all the great things Drake probably had written in it—and right when his career was just taking off. Right now, Drake is on fire because of his latest release “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” and I think the Drake in this song pays homage to his most recent success in terms of the sound and attitude I’ve heard resound on the album. Thank Me Later was the last album I fully listened to from Drake, so I’m trying to hold off on listening to any more of his full album’s until I get to them on here because I think it’s becoming a more interesting journey to share; especially ‘starting from the bottom’ the way I have. I look forward to what I’ll find, how I’ll feel and what I’ll write as I continue, and I think it will be even cooler to see how that differs from my thoughts and views from the past.

Coming back to tonight’s feature though, I went ahead and pasted its entire lyrical content under the video because I really feel it’s important people have a read through it. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard such clear and concise rap in my life! I’m not trying to be on Drake’s “private parts” (for lack of more politically correct words) but I really feel—and I know others feel—like this song alone could define everything that Drake is and stands for without anyone having to hear anything else. I obviously can’t speak to date because I have heard many magnificent things about If You’re Reading This It's Too Late, but I still feel that “Say Whats Real” was as much of a defining song for Drake as “I Feel Like Dying” was for Weezy, so not much can compare.

Anyway, please read and enjoy the music below, and then bump a little further down to read the newest chapter in our Starting From the Bottom chronicles! Next week  Tuesday I’ll be back with another post as we’ll be moving into Drake’s first official LP, Thank Me Later!

DRAKE - SAY WHATS REAL           

Why do I feel so alone?
Like everybody passing through the studio
Is in character as if we acting out a movie role
Talking bullshit as if it was for you to know
And I don't have the heart to give these
Bitch-niggas the cue to go
So they stick around kicking out feedback
And I entertain it as if I need that
I had a talk with my uncle and he agreed that
My privacy about the only thing I need back

But
It's hard to think of them polite flows
When Stefano Pilati suits are your night clothes
And Jordan sweat suits are your flight clothes
And you still make it even when they say your flight closed
Eyes hurting from the camera phone light shows
Life was so full
Now this shit just being lypo'd
Always said I'd say it all on the right track
But in this game you only lose when you fight back
Black diamond bracelets
Showing you the basics
I can't live and hold the camera
Someone gotta tape this
I make hits

And like a bitch that's married—I ain't miss
24 hours from Greatness
I'm that close
Don't ever forget the moment you began to doubt
Transitioning from fitting in to standing out
Los Angeles Cabanas or Atlanta South
Watchin' HOV show embarrassed to pull my camera out
And my mother embarrassed to pull my Phantom out
So I park about 5 houses down
She say I shouldn't have it until I have the crown
But I don't wanna feel the need to wear disguises around
So she wonder where my mind is accounts in the minus
But yet I'm rolling round the fuckin' city like Your Highness
Got niggas reactin' without a sinus
'Cause what I'm working with is timeless
And promoters try to get me out to they club
And say I have fun but I can't imagine how
'Cause I just see my ex-girl
Standing with my next girl
Standing with the girl that I'm fuckin' right now
And shit could get weird

Unless they all down
And so I stay clear
We from a small town
And everybody talks

And everybody listen
But somehow the truth just always comes up missing
I've always been something that these labels can't buy
Especially if they tryin' to take a peice of my soul
And Sylvia be tellin' Tez "Damn Drake fly"
And he just be like "Silly motherfucker, I know"
That was your bad
How could you pass up on 'im?
He just take them records and he gas up on 'em
Wayne would prolly put a million cash up on 'im
Surprised no one ever put your ass up on 'im
Oh they did Po
At least they tried to
And that's what happens when you spitting what's inside you
But slip up and shoot the wrong fucking video
And they think they can market you however they decide to

Nahh
But 40 told me to do me
And don't listen to anybody that knew me
'Cause to have known me would
Mean that there's a new me
And if you think I changed in the slightest
Could of fooled me
Boy

And to my city I'm the 2-3
Drug dealers live vicariously through me
I quit school and it's not because I'm lazy
I'm just not the social type and campus life is crazy

Understand
I could get money with my eyes closed
Lost some of my hottest verses down in Cabo
So if you find a Blackberry with the side scroll
Sell that mothafucka to any rapper that I know
'Cause they need it much more than I ever will
I got new shit
I'm gettin' better still
Little niggas put my name in they verses
'Cause they girlfriend put my ass on a pedesteel
Future said "'cause this 'Ye shit you better kill"
And I think this got this "Making of a Legend" feel
Problem with these other niggas they ain't never real

Chapter 32: Say Whats Real. By: Jae Antoinette

AFFION:

I don’t know what’s up with bitches these days … seems like everybody’s fucked up. One second they all over you, ready to suck your dick and shit, and the next minute—gone. Can’t even find ‘em.

            I’m a little drunk right now. Been sipping on that Henney, took a shot of patron—but I’m actually really pissed off. This girl knows we have something going and all of a sudden now she wants to act like we don’t? Bitch! If I had a note for everything I could get you to do, I’d be busting a nut already! Instead, I’m sitting at this table I always sit at, by myself, waiting, with Bria’s ass nowhere to be found.

Why don’t she just say what’s real, huh? That she’s pulling the slot on me and diming out with some other hood? I can take it! I never asked her for nothing before, so why she gotta be like this now? She needs to come correct before I get ignant up in this bitch! I may be a little turnt, but that don’t mean I can’t find out where this heifer at …

TO BE CONTINUED …