REVIEW: DRAKE & 21 SAVAGE - HER LOSS

3.5/5

21 and OVO.

If you're reading this, honestly, never mind. When 'Certified Lover Boy' Drake released last year's follow-up in June. Fans were disappointed (despite it being a nice album). They wanted the old Drake back. The 'Scorpion' stings from the King. Something akin to the 2020s 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes' that felt more like an actual album. 'More Life'. Not the SNL beef with everybody guy, singing over not getting text back. Not the guy legend Common called 'Sweet'. But one third of the Kendrick and J. Cole big-three that still has us holding out hope for hip-hop. He gave us some of that on his 'Never Mind' nirvana with 'Jimmy Cooks', featuring rising rapper of legend 21 Savage. Turns out that was a taste test for more to come this fall. As Drake and 21 Savage have now teamed up for 'Her Loss'. A collaborative album with more classic artwork that will make you fall in love with H.E.R., but sadly for this writer, something that has nothing to do with hair loss support (honestly, never mind. It's already too late). 

The Future is here, like the way too sexy last collabo project from Canada's very own. What a time to be alive again! October's owl is back a week later in a November nuanced for rap classics (Nas will drop his third 'King's Disease' next week) after a COVID induced production delay (get well soon, 40). But it's not just about him. Like Method Man and Redman, this is a Savage album too. Not Wu members stealing the show like 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' or Jay-Z on Jay Electronica's 'Written Testimony'. And how high can this Savage get? Look at the outstanding opener 'Rich Flex' and see. Or should we say hear over hallmark, trademark hip-hop, punctuated pianos? "Yellow diamonds in the watch, this s### cost a lot/Never send a b#### your dot, that's how you get shot/I DM in Vanish Mode, I do that s### a lot/Took her panties off and this b### thicker than the plot." The Toronto and Atlanta crossover is here, Hawks and Raptors.

These 'Broke Boys' with beautiful boasts in an embarrassment of riches and flex, make good on 'More M's'. But 'Spin By You' in these 'Hours Of Silence' and that's where the real raps cook like lambs for the slaughter. Ganging up with rhymes that get to the heart of matters in real love like, "There's three sides to this story, girl/The one you subtweet/The one your group chat gets to read/The one you come and tell to me/I understand it finally/I'm tryin' to give you highs and you're plannin' our goodbyes/But I turn you up/It's my fault/Burnin' cash like it's lit on fire/Penthouse and some new attire/I fulfilled all of your desires/You don't work, but you act retired/'Cause you know that you're mine and it's my fault/It's my fault, it's my fault, for once I take accountability"(Drake). And, "Gotta pray to God above you, girl, you know that Savage love you/And I hope that you feel the same/Tryna be the one for you, but my nickname true/And I hope that I can change Girl, you know that Savage love you, girl, you know that Savage love you" (who else but Savage?). 

For the T-Dot and the ATL, the 6 God is back with 21. Rapping again like they wish he would (of). 'On Bs' and back on some big 'Jumbotron S### Poppin', 'Backoutsideboyz'. As Savage adds a '3AM At Glenwood' to Aubrey's own late night, cityscape freestyle reflections. Possibly testing a big-three collaboration with Travis Scott like a Laker 360 (we always believed Russ, just check Drake's courtside reaction last year to your clutch crucifying and wrapping-up his Raps) on 'P###y & Millions'. But after the 'CLB' went head-to-head with Kanye West's 'Donda' last year, Drizzy Drake needs to make sure his controversial comments don't make him end up like 'Ye. You only have to be 'Enola Holmes' reminded on Netflix this week to remember this man is no stranger (things indeed) to a scrutiny that he needs to hold himself more responsible for in all his great power. Talk about that accountability again. Don't be a 'Privileged Rapper' taking shots at tennis GOAT Serena Williams in the 'Middle of the Ocean' (her, or Com' will probably ace you). And Megan Thee Stallion is right. "Since when tf is it cool to joke abt women getting shot!" Especially in double entendre like Jigga still referencing a stabbing he survived (LEGALLY). Don't be a WAP. But to Drake's credit, he denies that's what he's implying. So let's give him the benefit of reasonable doubt. Otherwise, I guess it will be F you. Besides, the Stallion has She-Hulk on her side. Or is that the other way 'round? Twerk it out like Usher and watch this space. 

Aside from this, this is ready for 'Major Distribution' like that banger for your buck. 'Circo Love' doing it for Daft Punk, one more time. Despite the daft punk rhymes. 'Rapper's' sampling a 'Ballad For The Fallen Soldier' like Shawn Carter. These 'Treacherous Twins' even taking it back to the 'Lonely Daze' when a so anxious Ginuwine was just a bachelor. 'The Bachelor' pardon me for a game and genre changing classic. These two even have a 'Savage' sample of Stallion before biting the hand. Channelling The O'Jays like The Diplomats of Cam'ron and company's 'Real N####s' for the 'Ocean' of controversy. 

'King Richard' should have learned you. These sounds sonically are great, there's no need to tarnish them with slaps when your words are wiser. Family guy's used to joke about "Will Smith's nice, clean raps." But the first Fresh Prince won a Grammy, and it all sounded so great, I swear. Even without a curse on a single verse (save his bleeped out 'Tell Me Why' with Mary J. Blige for world changing feeling). We don't always have to be so cruel with the sections of our comments. Watch what happened when Will explicitly lost his cool (albeit, again, to cruel comments). He's finding his 'Emancipation' now, and Drake is already free. But look at Kanye and Kyrie in the blink of a cancelling eye after they held court of making their opinions public. Comments might be your opinion, but when they sow hate. Watch what they reap. They said they didn't like Drake talking about love, but let's not hate. 21 with a salute is already dunking over "Steph Curry with the shot, boy" when it comes to the lyrics, despite Drake's savagery (good, bad and ugly). Never mind the bollocks though this still shoots like a sex pistol. Honestly, don't let this be your loss. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Circo Love', 'P###y & Millions (Feat. Travis Scott)', '3AM On Glenwood'.