Drake – "Wu-Tang Forever" (Prod. 40)

When the tracklist for Drake's third studio album, Nothing Was The Same, surfaced, one track in particular that drew major attention from tastemakers and fans alike was the interestingly-titled "Wu-Tang Forever." It seemed strange that the emotive Toronto MC would have a song about one of the grittiest hip-hop groups of all time. Today, the track arrived, and it isn't quite what you'd expect a song with this title to sound like. In fact, there isn't much reference to the legendary rap collective. Instead, the somber cut–which does sample Wu-Tang Clan's "Its Yourz"–primarily discusses Drake's mildly privileged past and how he was enamored with the street life from afar. "Open cases on me for a half a million each. I find peace knowing that it's harder in the streets / I know. Luckily, I didn't have to grow there / I would only go there 'cause it's niggas that I know there," he raps over a piano chop worked up by his buddy, Noah "40" Shebib, and he brings the same kind of presence he introduced on "Started From the Bottom" to this cut. Though the track may be inappropriately titled, when you get over the initial shock, it'll probably grow on you. Don't take my word for it, though, check the stream below, and decide for yourself. Drake's Nothing Was The Same is due out September 24th.

Stream: Drake – Wu Tang Forever (Prod. By 40)