This album was not exactly what I was expecting from Lil Wayne’s newest addition to the Young Money record label, but I liked it. Then I listened to it again and I liked it even more. So Far Gone is an eclectic, yet polished mixtape that shows Drake for the triple threat that he is. He raps, he sings, and unlike many mixtapes, which are comprised of simple beats at best, Drake has created a musically rich album.

While this mixtape is musically appealing, it is somewhat schizophrenic at times. On one hand, you’ve got the smooth singing Drake who talks about relationships in songs slightly reminiscent of 808’s and Heartbreak. These songs are good for what they are, and more appealing to me than Kanye’s attempts at singing because A) Drake has a better voice, and B) He mixes in some pretty solid rap versus in these songs, with a flow that also channels that of Mr. West. On the other hand, you have the cocky, swagger-filled Drake stepping up to the mic on some tracks with his mentor, Weezy F Baby, where you can hear his flow and even the tone of his voice change. (Obviously influenced by the best rapper alive himself). On these tracks, Drake gives a respectable performance, nearly matching Wayne metaphor for metaphor, double entendre for double entendre. Throw in a couple of very tight mash-up type songs featuring Peter Bjorn and John, and SantoGold; add a dash of radio hits for the ladies at Alpha Chi Omega to dance to, and you’ve got yourself a wonderfully diverse mixtape.

I’m not ready to invest all of my money in Drake stock, but this is a guy who has something for everybody. I think Drake says it best in a song with Weezy, “And me doin them shows gettin everyone nervous, cuz them hipsters gon have to get along with them hood niggas”. He’s already talented and now after being taken under the wing of the Birdman Junior himself, Drake has the guidance and resources he needs to make it big.

Highlights:

• Let’s Call it Off- Mash-Up type song with Peter, Bjorn, and John. Very cool.
• Ignant Shit- Strong rap performance by Drake, ridiculous verse from Lil Wayne who of course comes in and kills Drake on his own track.
• (For the Ladies) Best I Ever Had- Radio Single. You’ll be hearing this one in hot, stuffy basements all across campus.

Honorable Mentions: November 18^th and Say What’s Real- Both have solid verses.

Rating: 8.0