By Ava McDonald
Picture Credits: Spotify.com
Drake and 21 Savage once again prove their artistic compatibility on their highly anticipated collaborative album Her Loss, their first joint project since the standout track “Jimmy Cooks” on Drake’s album Honestly, Nevermind. Filled with entertaining beat switches, clever lyrics, creative sampling, and playful interactions between Drake and 21 Savage, Her Loss provides a clear example of how the two rappers bring out the best in one another.
The 16-track album showcases Drake’s talent for hooks and bridges, which subtly juxtapose 21 Savage’s signature hard-hitting bars. The album’s opening track, “Rich Flex,” has already gone viral on TikTok for its playful demonstration of the pair’s relationship; the almost silly way Drake is “hyping up” 21 Savage sets the tone for the rest of the project. The album’s ninth track “Circo Loco” thoughtfully samples Daft Punk’s 2000 hit “One More Time,” repurposing a French house classic for a new audience. Similarly, the album’s eleventh track, “Broke Boys,” also displays the artists’ goofy and witty interactions. Though the album is a collaboration, the album’s twelfth track, “Middle of the Ocean,” a solo Drake performance, is a standout, harkening back to Drake’s older style.
The album is a refreshing celebration of Drake and 21 Savage’s friendship, but it has also been controversial. On “Circo Loco,” Drake accuses female rapper Megan Thee Stallion of lying about being shot in the foot by rapper Tory Lanez in 2020.
Despite these problematic and misogynistic lyrics, the album is impressive from a lyrical and production standpoint. While the album is not Drake nor 21 Savage’s most emotionally profound project, Her Loss celebrates collaboration and reminds listeners that rap and hip-hop can be playful, creative, and lighthearted.
Ava McDonald is a junior in the College studying English and Art History.
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