Is Drake a Feminist?
Her Loss by Drake and 21 Savage
Drake's 2022 album trilogy, inspired by his many failed relationships, ends with the self-proclaimed 6 God reclaiming the grit that was a staple in his career's beginning. In recent years, Drake has become the laughingstock of modern music. Whether it was a fit pic on Instagram stories or a lyric that read a little bit corny, Drake was eviscerated by internet trolls for being a “certified lover boy”.
Although Her Loss doesn’t stray far from this image, Atlanta’s 21 Savage is somewhat able to draw out Drake's capability to execute hard-hitting lyrics and daunting flows. However, the converse is also true on the album. Drake somehow managed to dampen 21 Savage's trademark violent flow which many have grown accustomed to as an essential in 21’s good music. Drake and 21’s duo was unforeseen in rap culture. Their first collaboration together, Sneakin’, appeared on Drake's 2016 project More Life. At the time, it was normal for Drake to release a trap banger, so the inclusion of the aspiring Atlanta rapper made sense, especially after the underground success of “Red Opps” in 2016. Capitalizing on their chemistry, Drake and 21 Savage would further collaborate on projects such as Savage Mode II, Certified Lover Boy, Honestly Nevermind and eventually the collaboration we review today: Her Loss.
When you think of Drake what first comes to mind? Is it a feminist lyricist or a misogynistic rapper who uses Women for monetary gain? On past albums such as If You Are Reading This It's Too Late we see this dichotomy within Drake's lyrics:
“I know a girl I should propose to / But we just on some different stuff…And lately, we've been fightin' / On some "why-you-love-these-strippers?" (Company)
“I got one girl, and she my girl” (6 God)
Drake's conflict between monogamous and polyamorous relationships has been part of his identity since the beginning of his career. Not only does he partake in different relationships but he lies to his partner about the truth of his nature. Maybe these are themes you are used to in Drake's music. But Her Loss demonstrates a new era of Drake's music. One that assumes a voice of femininity in the progressiveness of the modern day. Drake’s critique of Roe V. Wade's reversal on “Spin Bout You'' fashions himself in this new light as he raps:
“Damn, just turned on the news and seen that men who never got girls in school / Are makin' laws about what women can do”
A rapper of Drake's caliber using his platform to advocate for women's rights is unforeseen in rap music. By instituting feminine morals, Drake distances himself from stereotypes often associated with rap music. When looking at praised mainstream rap albums of 2022, albums such as I Never Liked You and Homixide Lifestyle come to mind ‒ albums that encourage themes of toxicity and violence. Yet Drake chooses to vocalize acceptance and respect towards those oppressed by our patriarchal government. Surprising isn't it? Drake calls out anti-feminine morals instituted in society. His new direction amplifies the voices of those silenced in 2022 by society in their attempts to uplift the importance of Women in America. His feminist direction continues on “Hours in Silence'' when he raps:
“She sayin' that she is natural / Don't care if she makin' it up / I never put you in no Uber, girl / I'm always gon' send you a truck”
Societal stigmatism against plastic surgery and other beauty work has always been negative and looked down upon. Those who altered their appearance to achieve a look they felt comfortable in were slandered by the media even though the reason many choose to get plastic surgery is because of unrealistic beauty standards set by the same being tearing them down. For Drake to ignore the societal negative perception of plastic surgery and respect his partner for who she is further exemplifies himself as a feminist.
Now, you might be thinking to yourself right now that there is no way and that my argument might be a little ridiculous. And I’m not going to sit here and disagree with you since along with the pro-feminine lyrics Drake also delivers plenty of questionably misogynistic lines. But I will finish my argument. Since Drake's transition into his new era of femininity, he has also been the most prominent member of internet meme culture during 2022. As he embraced a more feminine image through different haircuts, clothing styles, and life choices, the internet continued to berate him for embracing what? His feminine side? Toxic masculinity has always been prevalent in rap culture, and its failure to accept femininity has only become more apparent, though the world has become more progressive. Young Thug constantly pushed gender boundaries by wearing dresses in magazine shoots, events, and perhaps most famously, on the cover of his 2016 mixtape: No, My Name Is Jeffery. For his stylistic choices, Young Thug faced endlessly scrutiny by the media and fans who could face the rapper embracing feminist ideals. This was 7 years ago. Have we not developed as a world? Maybe we think we have. But society's internal homophobia now seeps through internet meme culture. We celebrate our acceptance of men embracing femininity and the progress we have made. But I don’t think we have changed. We have adapted and found ways to hide our internal homophobia instead of embracing it and then finding the solution for acceptance. Homophobia is instituted in society. We are all victims of it. We just have to acknowledge it. Though we have made progress, it is still evident that as a society we still fail to accept feminine ideals in certain cultures. As for the music, I mean, it's Drake … and 21 Savage.
Best Songs: Rich Flex, Spin Bout U, Broke Boys, More M’s
Worst Song: BackOutsideBoyz
★★★
Written by Liam Nelson
This was so engaging and caused me to reflect on more than the music itself. Thank you!!! Everything one would hope a piece of writing would do. I’m eager to read your other pieces!