Drake Releases New Surprise Mixtape; New 17 Track Album for Fans

By Dondi Tiples, Christian Post Contributor Monday, February 16, 2015

Canadian rapper Drake surprised fans and the entire internet when he dropped a new surprise album over the weekend. The Grammy-award winning artist released a brand new 17-track album on Friday without any fanfare, taking everyone by surprise.

Following the launch of his brooding short film, "Jungle" Thursday, the rapper posted an enigmatic message on his Instagram account: "Soon."

Without warning a short time later, he uploaded a 17-track collection entitled If You're Reading This It's Too Late.

Described by the Los Angeles Times as "something more impressionist and interior," the collection unfolded with "So Anxious" on "Legend." The surprise release included Drake's "You & The 6," intended to be an open letter to his mother, Sandi Graham, which turned out to be the mixtape's breakout hit.

It also features previously released songs, "Used To" and "6 God," Drake's collaboration with American rapper, Lil Wayne, which also appears on the American rapper's "Sorry 4 The Wait 2" album. Fellow artists Travi$ Scott and PARTYNEXTDOOR also make appearances in the mix.

Drake's new release is his first mixtape in nearly six years since his critically commended "So Far Gone" in 2009. In July 2014, the rapper teased fans with news of a planned album tentatively titled "Views From The 6" last July.

Rumors whether this new music is his much-anticipated fourth album, a mixtape intended for paid downloads on iTunes or merely a stopgap until his next official album release have yet to be determined.

Its been speculated that If You're Reading This may also be part of a fulfillment of his contract with his record label, Cash Money Records.

While the unexpected new music gave fans a surprised thrill, this shock tactic has been used before. Beyonce first stunned fans with a self-titled album launched on iTunes sans announcement in December 2013.