“Certified Lover Boy”

Canadian rapper, Drake, has recently released his newest studio album, “Certified Lover Boy.” The album is available to stream on all major music platforms including Apple Music, Soundcloud and Spotify. 

Since his first studio album release, Drake has reached a large level of fame among young music listeners worldwide.  He has dropped several albums with each one gaining more streams than the last. 

According to Billboard Music Charts, “Certified Lover Boy” earned the most streams on day of release in Spotify history. The album also earned Apple Music’s number one album spot in over 145 countries.  

According to Forbes, five songs from “Certified Lover Boy” earned a spot on the US Top Ten list. Three other songs from his previous studio album, “Scorpion,” were also placed on that list. 

“Certified Lover Boy” was released through OVO Sounds and Republic Records. The long-awaited project is one hour and 26 minutes in length and features rappers Travis Scott, Lil Baby, Kid Cudi, and 21 Savage.   

Once the album cover was released, fans began discussing on social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The cover art pictures 12 of the “pregnant woman emoji” in various skin tones and shirt colors.   

Many Sacred Heart University students are fans of Drake and were excited to hear he had new music coming out. 

 “I’ve been a fan of Drake and his music style for as long as I could remember. I started listening to him when I was in high school and I’m always excited for when he drops new music,” said junior Alaina DeRose.  

“I’ve been a fan of Drake since his first mixtape, ‘So Far Gone.’ I’ve bought and downloaded every studio album, mixtape and compilation album he has gave us up until ‘Certified Lover Boy,’ of course,” said senior Madison Cora. 

According to Billboard, “Champagne Poetry” is currently the third most streamed track on the album. Ahead of “Champagne Poetry” at the number two spot is “IMY2” featuring Kid Cudi. The number one most streamed song is “Knife Talk” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat.  

“I really enjoyed the album. Drake gives us a softer melodic side to him. Which explains why the album is called ‘Certified Lover Boy’ in the first place,” said Cora. “Drake continues to exhibit different personalities and explore new sides of his musical style.”  

“I don’t normally listen to Drake but I thought the album, or at least the handful of songs I listened to off of it, were really unique and well executed. You can tell he puts a lot of time and care into his creative process and the album reflects that,” said junior Hailey Morelli. 

“It is not every day we get to experience an artist in new lights. ‘Certified Lover Boy’ definitely showed the different strengths and variety of styles that this talented artist could do,” said DeRose.  

“IMY2” begins with a tribute to the late rapper, Juice WRLD. Drake relishes in his many accomplishments and how he is continuing to find himself as a man. According to Billboard Music Critic Carl Lamarre, “the unexpected duo delivers a collaborative track that pairs Kid Cudi’s melodic flow with Drake’s renowned tone.”  

 “We’re in the Drake era now and Drake is sitting at the top with no one really challenging him besides distant Kanye West,” said Cora.   

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