Drake & Future - What a Time to Be Alive

Drake & Future
What a Time to Be Alive
2015

Two chiefs does not a tribe make, and that could not be more clear than it is here on Drake & Future's full collaboration What a Time to Be Alive. Though these two might be the most prolific and doing Trap music at the highest level, together their chemistry really leads to nothing. One never adds to the other, they don't push each other or make each other better they just happen to be on the same track. An example of this done well would be Phantogram and Big Boi's collaboration, they came from two different worlds, but they allowed one another the space to be themselves and blend together. These two are just doing what they do and know that you will buy it anyway. "Drinkin Lean" "Diamonds on me dancing" it is the same tropes time after time. Even the punchlines on this record are weak by Drake's standards. "Diamonds Dancing" has about a full minute at the end of Drake just saying a few words over and over, what is the point? If you are at this high level why allow bullshit like that to be on an album? Therein lies one of the major with Trap music, so much is allowed to just come out mixtape style that the polished album that should be coming from these artists never materialize.

This album was recorded in six days, which makes sense when you listen to the final product. It sounds more like a future album that Drake tagged a few verses and hooks on. Some of the beats are nice but they are repeated ad nauseum over the 11 tracks. If you can find a distinct difference between "Jumpman" and "Jersey" you have a far keener ear than the rest of the world because besides the sound of a crow squawking in the background there real is not much difference. This album really does not set itself apart from Future's release earlier this year nor is it one of Drake's finest. This may be the collaboration of the century in the mind of these two, but for the listeners feel free to take a pass.

5 out of 10