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.
Sade will not be attending their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this week.
The English group, made up of Sade Adu, Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, are among this year's inductees into the prestigious institution. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday.
However, a representative for Sade confirmed on Tuesday through the band's official website that none of the members would be attending the event.
"We're sorry that we won't be able to join everyone in person to celebrate alongside the other artists. However, our absence does not lessen how deeply this recognition means to us," they stated. "Being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a wonderful honour and a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude, not just to everyone who voted for us, but to every person who has made our music part of their lives."
The representative also acknowledged their manager Roger Davies for his support and paid tribute to the late engineer and co-producer Mike Pela, who passed away in 2022.
"We owe so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey," they continued, before signing the message: "Sade, Stuart, Andrew, and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth member of Sade... This recognition belongs to you just as much as it does to us, Mike. You will always be our soul mate."
Sade will be joining Oasis among the artists missing this year's ceremony. Liam Gallagher previously addressed his absence in a message on X, saying the journey was "too far" for him to make just "for the night".
The other musicians being recognised at this weekend's ceremony include Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, the late Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
