top of page
Search

Drake: Dark Lane Demo Tapes (Mix-tape Review)

  • blackandnerdypodcast
  • May 18, 2020
  • 3 min read

A compilation of leaked snippets, collaborations, and loosies, help to form this new project that Drake released on all streaming platforms this past Friday. Filled with precise deliveries, flows, and catchy hooks, “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” serves as an appetizer for Drake fans till he drops his new album this summer.

ree

Displaying his precise delivery, tight flows, and singing prowess, Drake delivers another body of work for his enduring fans. Just like his previous projects, Drakes unveils his emotions of past relationship flings, the hardships that derive from dealing with success & fame, and experimenting with styles from other sub-genres of rap (drill music). It’s a 14-track mix-tape that has guest appearances from the following artists: Future, Chris Brown, Young Thug, Giveon, Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign & Sosa Geek.

Dark Lane Demo Tapes starts off with “Deep Pockets”; a track that finds Drake reminiscing about past experiences and lessons learned throughout his early stages in the rap game. The next two following tracks- “When To Say When” & “Chicago Freestyle”- are odes to two of the greatest rappers ever Jay-Z (Jay-Z - Song Cry) & Eminem (Eminem - Superman). He released both of these songs almost a month or two earlier on SoundCloud, before releasing them on this project. We get another collaboration track from Drake & Chris Brown on the “Not You Too” track. For me personally, this track brought back Take Care vibes and all-in-all, was a solid track (prefered more from Chris Brown on this track). “Toosie Slide”, the chart-topping hit, finds Drake presenting his interpretation of a “line dance” song that’s perfect for Tik Tok. Next on the tracklist, is the previously released (released on SoundCloud) track “Desires” by Drake & Future. It was another solid collaboration track from two of hip-hop/rap's biggest stars. The next two tracks - “Time Flies” and “Landed”- are tracks that bring back memories of songs such as Feel No Ways (Views) and Nonstop (Scorpion).

The next four tracks on the tracklist- “D4L”, “Pain 1993”, “Losses”, and “From Florida With Love”- are the “meat and potatoes” portion of the mixtape. Alongside two of Atlanta’s biggest artists out in Young Thug and Future, we see Drake giving another ode to the ATL group D4L on the track “D4L”. It’s an up-tempo track that finds each artist blending in-and-out of each other's verses effortlessly. The Pi’erre Bourne produced track “Pain 1993”, is another highlight on the mixtape for many, who are fans/stans of Playboi Carti. Drake’s trap-god flow and delivery along with Carti’s distorted voice, makes this one of the most interesting tracks on the entire mixtape. “Losses”, the next track on the project, is a deep-emotional response from Drake, as he is describing a failed relationship with someone from his past. This is that raw-emotional Drake that we get and enjoy on every project he makes. The next track on the record is the MexikoDro produced track “From Florida With Love”. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album and it's a track that finds Drake reminiscing on the time that Lil Wayne played Lollipop for him & Kobe Bryant on the tour bus, as well as when he got set-up and robbed years ago.

In closing, Drake ends the mix-tape on a high note with the two-closing tracks entitled “Demons” and War”. Both tracks are high-energy and gritty tracks, in which Drake exhibits his version of Brooklyn & U.K. drill. On “Demons,” Drake matches the style (drill style/sub-genre) and energy that Fivio Foreign & Sosa Geek bring to the track. The final track titled “War,” was previously released last year and it's his ode to the U.K. drill scene. On “War” Drake delivers menacing bars and flows over the U.K. inspired instrumental. Overall, Dark Lane Demo Tapes serves its purpose as an appetizer dish before the full course meal, which is his next album that will be dropping in the summer.


Favorite Track(s): “When To Say When”; “Losses”; “Desires (feat. Future)”; “From Florida With Love”

Least Favorite (s): “Pain 1993 (feat. Playboi Carti)”

Guests Features: Future; Chris Brown; Giveon; Young Thug; Playboi Carti; Fivio Foreign; Sosa Geek

Producers: Southside; Cardo; MexikoDro; Axl; Pi’erre Bourne; 40; Sevn Thomas; Roxx; Noel Cadastre; Plain Pat; OZ; D. Hill; Elyas; JB Made It; June James; Foreign Teck


 
 
 

Comments


  • Spotify
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
bottom of page