Drake has published 100 gigabytes of previously unreleased content. This incredible hodgepodge includes never-before-heard tracks, exclusive videos, and behind-the-scenes footage, opening up the creative process in an unprecedented way. These files are organized meticulously in folders from March 7 to June 8, showcasing the breadth of Drake’s work over this period.
Drake releases 100GB of unreleased music, videos & more PIC.TWITTER.COM/NMHDLJSFCK
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) AUGUST 6, 2024
Among the treasure trove are three new songs: “It’s Up” featuring Young Thug and 21 Savage, “Housekeeping Knows” featuring Latto, and the solo track “Blue Green Red.” All of the above showcasing what Drake has come to be known for: timeless charm seeps through the words, a gift of gab with sleek beats and catchy hooks that are bound to be favorites. Working with other leading ones in the field, the collaborations show his ease with creating music that speaks to the public.
The release also contains some of the most interesting behind-the-scenes material of Drake in the studio. Fans gain a look at his interfacing with beats created by superstar producers Boi-1da and Noah “40” Shebib—an insight into his creative process that’s quite rare for a superstar his size. These clips showed real hard work and dedication to molding his hits, from brainstorming all the way to the final recordings. It also features a clip from the iconic “Hotline Bling” music video shoot, providing exclusive footage from one of Drake’s most iconic projects.
One of the best examples is this 25-minute film where the fans get to see Drake put together his 2016 album, “Views.” This clip would be a gem for people interested in the laborious process out of which Drake’s one of the best works is born.
Other clips show him playing ping pong with NBA star Steph Curry, listening to unreleased tracks by the pool in Barbados, and rehearsing “Take Care” with a then very young Rihanna. All these personal moments painted the vault as something more than just a set collection of songs.
The news of the release broke just hours before Drake dropped it, almost as a surprise, through his Instagram story. The unexpected nature of how the release came about drove so much social media buzz of exhilaration from the fans. Fans have gone further to applaud him for sharing such a large volume of content for free diluting any accusations by humorously noting that his “throwaways could feed a whole nation.”
Just as importantly, this highly anticipated release is occurring within Drake‘s current essential career phase, coming on the heels of his recent squabble with Kendrick Lamar. He is taking back the narrative, driving home his premier status in hip-hop, speaking directly with the fans while setting out to fortify the humongous body of work he has built by performing enduringly. The timing speaks volumes about another strategic attempt at shifting the situation back to the music, away from drama: reminding people how prolifically talented and committed he is to his craft.
This marks a big shift in artists’ connection with audiences; with this move, Drake bypasses dropping an album in the traditional sense and delivers a release of this caliber straight to the fans. It’s innovative in using digital platforms to provide an inside look that is more intimate and wide-ranging into an artist’s work.
It is also about what some think might explain Drake’s drop—“to clean out his hard drive.” When an artist shares unreleased content of this kind, it means absolution and moving direct attention elsewhere. Even more, it gives a glance into his creative world, sharing the raw, unpolished moments that often go unseen but are inalienable to the art-making process.
This is like a dream come true for fans who have always been chasing the things that he shared with them in the vault. Thereof, over 300 exclusives of videos are in there, with a ton of tracks to boot. Whether telling Drake about mixing Michael Jackson into “Don’t Matter to Me” or insights about collaborating with Jay-Z on “Talk Up,” there is something for nearly everyone in the vault. In one particularly charming clip, Drake praises the latter’s idea of mentioning Poland on “Poland” and muses about putting Future on “Hotline Bling.” These insights add a personal touch, showing the genuine connections and thought processes behind some of Drake’s biggest hits.
The momentous 100GB content recently put out by Drake was a gift to fans and a career move. It highlights his innovative approach to music distribution, his dedication to his craft, and his desire to maintain a strong connection with his audience. Fans, upon delving into such a vast collection, get an intimate look at one of the most groundbreaking artists of our time, further establishing the legacy of Drake as a heavyweight in the music industry.
