Drake and 21 Savage “Her Loss” Review
On their collaborative album "Her Loss," Drake and 21 Savage fail to strike the same chord as they do individually or with other partners. Right from the start, on the opening track "Rich Flex," Drake subtly requests something from 21 Savage, but the irony lies in the fact that it is Drake himself who hinders 21 Savage's presence throughout the project. Instead of giving 21 Savage an equal platform to shine as a rapper, Drake often relegates him to the role of a mere hype man for his livestreams.
However, it's important to note that this limitation isn't 21 Savage's fault at all. He has previously proven his ability to hold his own against some of the best rappers in the industry, including successful collaborations with Drake in the past. Back in 2016, their track "Sneakin" showcased their natural chemistry, blending 21 Savage's gritty and menacing threats with Drake's mafioso style to create a compelling partnership reminiscent of a consigliere and an underboss. This connection continued to impress on tracks like "Jimmy Cooks" and "Knife Talk," both considered excellent mainstream rap songs of the 2020s.
On paper, their album should have been a powerhouse, delivering the promised Shaq and Kobe energy. However, when you listen to it, it feels more like that peculiar 2005 Lakers team, where Kobe would dominate the game with 20 shots while Caron Butler chipped in with occasional points. The balance and synergy they had shown earlier seemed to be missing on "Her Loss," and Drake's prominence overshadowed 21 Savage's potential as a true collaborator.
As a collaboration, "Her Loss" unfortunately misses the mark. However, if you detach the idea of it being a joint effort and view it simply as a Drake album, it still stands as a decent addition to his discography. However, it doesn't bring anything new to the table - no growth, no fresh concepts - just the same toxic king anthems he's been delivering for years. Criticizing Drake's content is akin to being surprised that your favorite late-night Jumbo slice doesn't taste as good when you're sober. It was to be expected, wasn't it?
For the most part, "Her Loss" caters precisely to what fans have grown accustomed to and crave. There's the classic reflective Drake flow showcased in tracks like "Middle of the Ocean," reminiscent of the moments when Drake reminisced about cruising around "4 p.m. in Calabasas" or "5 a.m. in Toronto." Then comes the club banger, destined to be licensed for use whenever the NBA on ESPN goes to a commercial break ("BackOutsideBoyz"). He also offers fans the manipulative gaslighting anthem disguised as a heartfelt song with "Hours in Silence." All the essential ingredients are there, but somehow, they fail to come together cohesively.
If "Her Loss" had been presented solely as a Drake album, it might have been better received. However, the expectation was for the revival of Collab Drake, the artist who had previously delivered classics while collaborating with legendary rappers like Lil Wayne and Future. Unfortunately, in this album, Drake's partnership with 21 Savage seems to overshadow the Atlanta icon's unique abilities.
Another noteworthy collaboration is the Metro Boomin-produced "More M's," where the sinister distorted keys transport Drake to the dark side of monotone vibes, reminiscent of the Savage Mode series. Here, 21 Savage demonstrates his versatility, showcasing his skills on the track "3AM on Glenwood," which is his take on Drake's previous "AM/PM" series. In this poignant verse, he reflects solemnly on the loss of real friends and the desire to share his success with those he has lost: "Took some real n****s from me, I could kill the whole world and I still won’t be even / I be thinkin’ ‘bout my brothers while I’m shoppin’ in Neiman’s."
Regrettably, these standout moments are too few and far between in "Her Loss." Instead, we witness Drake either sidelining 21 or delivering ill-fitting passes that throw him off balance during transitions. The track "Circo Loco" has faced criticism for its Megan Thee Stallion diss, but its worst offense lies in how it butchers Daft Punk's classic "One More Time." Furthermore, "Jumbotron Shit Poppin" sounds perplexed and disorganized, as Drake accelerates his vocals, losing the smoothness he is better known for. It comes across as Drake's attempt to emulate the style of Whole Lotta Red, an endeavor nobody requested or wanted.
Even with the star billing of Travis Scott on "Pussy & Millions," the collaboration fails to live up to its potential, placing 21 in an awkward position as he attempts to rap in Scott's style but struggles to match the lack of humanity that Scott excels at.
The highlights emerge when the duo strikes a perfect balance, and Drake relies on his expertise in crate-digging. One such moment is found in "Spin Bout U," which features a heavenly sample of B.G.O.T.I.'s "Give Me Your Lov-N." In this track, 21 Savage showcases his romantic and melodic sensibilities while Drake serenades about protecting women from creepy politicians. This collaboration allows 21 to explore his musical range while providing Drake with a comfortable space to express himself, resulting in both artists shining brightly.
Regrettably, these moments are in short supply, leaving "Her Loss" to be just another disposable Drake project that may fade away within a few weeks. It's disheartening to see its potential squandered, as it could have been so much more.
I would give this 2 out of 4 stars.