Drake finally released his highly anticipated eighth studio album, “For All The Dogs,” on streaming platforms at 6 a.m. on Friday, October 6th, putting an end to weeks of eager anticipation.
This marks his first solo album since he released “Honestly Nevermind” in 2022. “For All The Dogs” boasts the chart-topping hit “Slime You Out,” featuring the talented SZA, securing Drake’s 12th No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. This achievement ties him for fifth place all-time, and he’s now closing in on breaking Michael Jackson’s record of 13 No. 1 singles among solo male artists.
Drake had already stoked excitement by releasing “8 AM in Charlotte,” the sixth installment of his “AM 2 PM” series, a day before the album’s release. The six-minute video, starring his son Adonis, sparked a flurry of speculation on social media about the people Drake might be addressing in his lyrics. Names like Metro Boomin, YoungBoy NBA, Charlamagne Tha God, and Kanye West have all been tossed into the mix.
More than three months after introducing the world to the phrase “For All the Dogs,” Drake has, at last, delivered his latest album. Following up on 2022’s “Honestly, Nevermind” and “Her Loss,” this album boasts an impressive lineup of 23 tracks, featuring guest appearances by Bad Bunny, SZA (on both “Slime You Out” and the track “Rich Baby Daddy” with Sexyy Red), J. Cole, Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, 21 Savage, Teezo Touchdown, Yeat, and PartyNextDoor. Kevin Durant contributed as an A&R for the album, with Drake as an executive producer alongside Noah “40” Shebib, Oliver El-Khatib, and Noel Cadastre. You can listen to it below or via Tidal.
Originally slated for a September 22 release, Drake pushed “For All the Dogs” back to October 6 to allow himself to balance his recording commitments with touring obligations. The album’s cover art features a drawing by none other than Drake’s son, Adonis Graham, who also made appearances in the “8 AM in Charlotte” video.
Leading up to “For All the Dogs,” Drake dropped “Search & Rescue” (not included on the album’s tracklist) and the SZA collaboration “Slime You Out.” The former notably samples Kim Kardashian discussing her divorce from Drake’s long-time rival, Kanye West. Fans couldn’t help but speculate that “8 AM in Charlotte” contained subtle jabs at West as well.
The longstanding feud between Drake and West reignited in 2021 when Drake took aim at West in “Betrayal.” He even debuted West’s “Life of the Party,” a track featuring anti-Drake lyrics, before its official release. While they briefly reconciled and performed together in Los Angeles, West revived the feud the following year with another diss aimed at Drake.
FOR ALL THE DOGS @Drake
OUT NOW https://t.co/Kzp1nSzZip pic.twitter.com/y0lwhjcOti— OVO Sound (@OVOSound) October 6, 2023
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