Hip-hop’s summer has started a bit earlier than expected. The season’s most anticipated album, Drake‘s Thank Me Later debut, leaked onto the internet last night (June 1). It’s not scheduled to officially hit stores until June 15. Several tracks had leaked in their unfinished forms over its year-long creation. But in the past week, mixed and mastered versions of tracks like the Alicia Keys-assisted “Fireworks” and his Jay-Z “Light Up” collaboration hit the blogosphere. The 23-year-old rhymer played it cool when he got word that his entire album leaked last night.
“I gave away free music for years,” he tweeted, alluding to the numerous mixtapes he made available for free download. So Far Gone, his stellar 2009 tape, was the offering that made him a favorite amongst hip-hop’s new class. “So we’re good over here,” he continued. “Just allow it to be the soundtrack to your summer and ENJOY! JUNE 15th!”
Leaks hardly benefit the artist. It’s safe to assume that his record sales will suffer a bit because many will download the album for free, opting not to buy the retail copy. But there have been some cases where it has not hurt as much. Back in 2008, Lil Wayne’s highly anticipated Tha Carter III leaked two weeks early. It went on to sell 1,000,000 copies in its first week out. So maybe people will use Drake’s debut leak as a sampler and then buy the official copy in two weeks.
Have you heard Drake’s Thank Me Later yet? Like it? Do you plan on buying it when it hits stores on June 15th? Let us know.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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I HEARD IT… AMAZING
But, but, but… it’s the guy from Degrassi! He could well be the greatest rapper of all time, but I’ll never be able to look at him without thinking of Jimmy the wheelchair-bound ex-basketball star of Degrassi High.
lol me 2!!!!!!! Im glad im not the only one!
and you know what Kevin… that is TOTALLY ok. I yell out, “Jimmy Brooks, you got shot” at his concerts all the time. You must listen to his music. He is really fantastic.
Its not like you think Jennifer Aniston is really Rachel Greene is it?
Is it???
LOL!!! I completely agree. I still call him wheel chair Jimmy instead of Drake.
haha me too! That’s the reason why I was skeptical at first. I was thinking…Jimmy…a rapper…? No flippin’ way!
heard it… nice. still buying it on june 15th to support my boy
One of the best top 10 hip hop albums of the decade. Drake did it. Thank you.
You know the decade only started 5 months ago.
LMAO
If I had the money I would buy it but i dont so ima dl it xD
I’ve heard a lot of it, but I’m LOL @ all of the Jimmy Brooks comments. It took me awhile to get over it. I was shocked when I realized he was the Degrassi dude hahaha!
Anyway, I’m going to go ahead and buy the full album as well. The album versions of leaked songs always sound better to me.
lol this derek guy is funny..decade?? its an amazing album..but not like carter 3..
Carter III was pathetic. And it had terrible reviews.
tha carter III was so overrated…thats just my opinion tho
You guys still actually buy CDs? Thats amazing, what about VCR tapes too? I can’t tell you the last time I actually bought an actual CD…I’ve never even played a CD in my car, I only play mp3′s on disc. But on another note, I have his mixed CD, So Far Gone, not really impressed by it. Hope the album is better.
So Far Gone is only one of his mixtapes. His other ones are much better.
I still buy cds! The sound quality is better than an mp3 and you can’t see the liner notes. By the time EW posts about leaks, it’s already taken down.
Album has a couple good songs, but reviews are gonna be bad. Doesn’t live up to the hype.
agreed, its mostly pretty boring stuff
Still don’t understand all the hype that surrounds this guy. His music is alright, but nothing extraordinary.
Heard it. Good Album… Some people just have to realize that every artist including drake has a unique style such as wayne,gucci,and curren$y thats why i support him but come june 15 i will have a hard copy.
Thank you.
“Leaks hardly benefit the artist. It’s safe to assume that his record sales will suffer a bit because many will download the album for free, opting not to buy the retail copy.”
Are you just taking your cues from the RIAA propoganda machine? Virtually every single album is available shortly before or on its sales date. That’s simply the reality of the times. Whether you sell 100 or 10,000 or 10,000,000, you do so from those who had the choice to not pay but, instead, freely chose to do so to support you. An early leak is never going to change that equation. If anything, it might boost your opening day sales from those who download and dig it enough to pay to support you. Nowadays, all music sales are voluntary to support the artists. Having to pay to hear music died years ago and the scenario is unlikely to return.
Album is Lame, same old same old, club songs, love songs and too many guest appearences, *Yawn*
everyone should go buy it and support him! drake’s amazing. thank me later. june 15.