‘I feel like it ended off on a note that just need to be continued,’ Drake tells MTV News of his breakout mixtape. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway Drake Photo: MTV News Drake’s Thank Me Later finally arrived this week, but rather than standing as a triumphant announcement of the Toronto rapper’s coronation, the collection has turned out be more of a continuation of the narrative started on his previous effort, the highly influential mixtape So Far Gone. The two projects bookmark 23-year-old Drake’s journey into adulthood and the various pitfalls and paranoia that dot his life between successes. He admits it was a conscious decision to pick up on his debut where he left off on his breakout tape. “This album, I definitely wanted it to be consistent with that sound, because I felt like So Far Gone — the story and the sound — it was like a teaser of a story that I wanted to tell and I feel like it ended off on a note that just need to be continued,” Drake told MTV News. “I didn’t want to just make this first album and completely forget about every thing I had just rapped about and start from a new perspective. I really wanted to continue the story. And that’s why I continue with three songs that almost could have been on So Far Gone, which is ‘Fireworks,’ ‘Karaoke,’ and ‘The Resistance.’ “Then life changes and things change,” he continued. “And you go into ‘Over’ and you start hearing ‘Show Me a Good Time,’ ‘Fancy,’ and it just gets bigger and sonically you hear Kanye West and Swizz Beatz and it’s like, ‘Oh, what’s happening?’ And then there’s still little So Far Gone moments in there, like the end of ‘Fancy’ — the beat switches. Then ‘Light Up’ is a real hip-hop moment, and I end with a song called ‘Thank Me Now.’ Even though it’s happy, it’s still me rapping and I’m letting you know the story shall continue.” Earlier this year, Drake revealed he was learning more about himself through his music. The “Find Your Love” star said putting this project together helped him get a firm grasp on his story and who he is — something he still wrestles with at times. “I’m learning about myself. That’s what my music is about,” he told MTV News in January. “I don’t necessarily know all the time who Drake is. I take it day by day and learn as much as I can about myself. As I learn, I choose to share with my fans. I’m just an artist that isn’t scared of being open. My journey, as far as growing into a man, is shared with the people,” he added. “My whole life is like that. I grew up on TV; I’ve always become accustomed to sharing my life with the world. At least now I get to do it in my own words … so I’m not a character. I have a little more grasp on who I am. I’m more eager to share it now: me growing into an artist is me growing into a man.” How would you compare Drake’s debut with his mixtape? Was he more introspective on the tape? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Don’t miss the “Drake: Better Than Good Enough” documentary , airing Wednesday, June 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake Related Artists Drake
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Drake: So Far Gone Was A ‘Teaser’ For Thank Me Later
