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The producer Nineteen85 explained to Billboard that Drake has “so many good ideas that he just wants to put out without making it a big ordeal” and that he calls More Life a playlist “because he has a bunch of people in a space, hanging out…. The focus here is on Drake as curator and kingpin, bringing together a diverse set of sounds from around the globe in tracks structured to deliver all-enveloping vibes rather than the suspense and release of pop hits. And rather than presenting itself as a comprehensive reckoning with Drake’s place in life and in his career, it’s framed as a sign of generosity, a bonus, another helping-“ more chune for your head tops” Drake says in a sample that recurs throughout these songs like a radio-station bumper tag. Its release date was announced only a day in advance it dropped on a Saturday night rather than the industry-standard music-delivery time of Friday morning there aren’t physical copies. More Life is a stealthier, less-weighted project. The album had been hyped since 2014, looming as Drake’s great forthcoming opus even while he enjoyed success from his mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, his Future team-up What a Time to Be Alive, and the one-off hit “Hotline Bling.” When Views finally arrived, its cover had Drake sitting at the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, an image fitting the sense of culmination that surrounded it. You can catch Skepta perform at Wireless festival from 7-9 July.More Life follows 2016’s Views, a hugely popular album that earned an Album of the Year Grammy nomination after breaking chart records and producing Drake’s first No. And if Drake has managed to give UK music a huge boost in the process, without stripping away any of its authenticity, without trying to make it his own, then who in their right mind would find fault in that? Not us. But everyone’s musical preferences evolve over time, and a musician has to grow and change to remain relevant and stay fresh. He might move on to another genre another city’s underground jewel. If More Life is a dedication to Drake’s favourite music right now, then it’s fair to assume it might change. Because what’s more representative of the marrow of an artist than his own musical taste? Music – a powerful art form that conveys and induces visceral emotion like no other. This body of work says more about Drake than the routine, negative platitudes he eschewed in Views. You might assume Drake’s own essence is lost among these features that this "playlist" doesn’t convey his own message, sound and ambition. This is Drake stepping to one side, and handing over the reigns. This isn’t Drake doing a Kanye: bringing the London grime massive out on stage as backing dancers to his own track. Drake’s verses on More Life are littered with London slang and road rap influences. And instead of conforming these urban artists to Drake’s own sound, he’s conformed to theirs. Instead he’s chosen Skepta, known for his “pure” grime that’s less mainstream, but, amongst die-hard grime fans, more respected. He’s the best-known grime MC out there, but Drake has never brought him out on stage, and has never given him a track. You won’t find him in the charts, but anyone who knows their music will put their hands up in respect.Īnd then what about Stormzy? He recently charted with his debut album. The same goes for Sampha – a gifted pianist with flawless vocals. He was following her on Twitter six months ago, before she’d even released her mixtape. He’s chosen Jorja Smith, a rising soul and RnB star with a small crowd of loyal fans, who’s yet to dent the mainstream. It’s important to note that Drake isn’t just grabbing the artist with the biggest following either, nor the one who’s charting best. Drake, the most significant rapper worldwide, who doesn’t need to co-sign with anyone to be successful, took an interest in London’s grime music before many Londoners took an interest in grime music. But let’s remind ourselves that Drake’s interest in London’s urban music began over a year ago, when he ditched the Brits official after-party to come out on stage with Section Boyz at Village Underground, and when he came out with Skepta at Wireless.