Drake’s artistry has long attracted criticism and it still does, even though he clearly has real classics in his catalog. Albums like Take Care, Nothing Was The Same, and If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late are usually the first to be mentioned. Still, the reason his place in hip hop sparks debate is that much of his extensive discography continues to receive heavy praise, even when some listeners feel the quality does not always match the hype.
Because of that, online discussions about how many of his projects truly stand the test of time have only grown louder. One person who never hesitates to defend Drake, though, is DJ Akademiks. The hip hop commentator has supported him for years and has built a close and seemingly trusted relationship with the rapper.
That said, many of his opinions tend to divide listeners, with some viewing them as extreme. So it is not entirely surprising to hear him label a more recent or solid but not universally praised Drake album as a classic. Over the weekend, he argued that the Toronto star’s 2023 release For All The Dogs belongs in that elite category.
In a clip shared by the secondary account Akademiks TV, he also described it as one of the greatest breakup albums ever made.
What Has DJ Akademiks Said About ICEMAN?
Speaking like a devoted supporter, Akademiks goes as far as placing Drake in G.O.A.T. territory while lip syncing to “Virginia Beach.” “This why Drake the greatest. It’s like the n**** know me gang!” he says, adding that since 2009 the artist has always released at least one song that felt personal to him.
At the end of the day, there are few things more impactful than music that feels deeply relatable. Still, considering how Akademiks is perceived, many people continue to mock him for holding this opinion.
While elevating For All The Dogs to such a high level, he also suggested that Drake’s next release will push his legacy even further. He claimed that when Drizzy drops again, “he’ll be the G.O.A.T. even more!” He also recently tweeted that the upcoming album ICEMAN is arriving very soon, writing, “ICEMAN SO SOON! MY GOAT ALWAYS DELIVERS!”
He has shared several posts like this on Twitter over the past few weeks, steadily building anticipation. Although there is still no official release date from Drake, it sounds like the project could arrive sometime during the colder months.
NEWS
Oliver Tree’s team has provided a new update following the singer’s death in a helicopter crash on June 14, confirming that a new artist grant will soon be established in his memory to help creatives secure funding, a plan he had detailed in his will before his passing.
Accompanying a collection of photos highlighting Tree’s performances, travels and creative work through the years, a post shared Sunday (June 21) on his Instagram account revealed that the musician’s remains have been brought back to California, the state he called home and where he will be laid to rest. “His legacy will live on through his foundation/endowment named ‘Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses’ coming soon,” the caption reads. “This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing.”
“We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish,” the statement continued, adding that “the constant love, support and positivity” shown by fans throughout the past week has helped his “family, friends and collaborators make it through these extremely difficult times.”
Tree was among six people who lost their lives in a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro. The musician was in Brazil for his The World’s First Tour run and had performed what would ultimately be his final concert on June 6 in São Paulo. The other victims of the crash were identified as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim and Lucas Brito Chaves, along with pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Just months before his death, Tree discussed his plans to direct his fortune and future earnings from his music toward a grant program for artists during an appearance on the Zach Sang Show. “I take no credit for anything I’ve ever done,” he said during the April interview. “Furthermore, I don’t believe that any of the wealth or things that get made from it is mine. So when I die … my will is set up so that when I pass, my family, nobody is going to get a penny.”
“If I have a wife or kids or anything, they’re not getting a penny,” he added at the time, explaining that the initiative would focus on helping artists create work rather than funding education. “I’ll get my kids through college, that’s the agreement, but there’s not gonna be a silver spoon. All the money is going to go back to artists.”
