On Feb. 14, 2025, Canadian artists Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR released $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. This marks Drake’s fourteenth project, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. With this achievement, he ties with JAY-Z and Taylor Swift for the most No. 1 albums among solo artists.
The 21-track album features PARTYNEXTDOOR as a primary collaborator, alongside smaller guest appearances from Pimmie, Chino Pacas, and Yebba. Blending contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and trap elements, the album explores themes of love, success, and emotional vulnerability.
Despite its immediate rise to No. 1, the album’s release sparked mixed reactions—particularly due to its timing. Drake remains embroiled in a public feud with Kendrick Lamar, which intensified after Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime performance. During the show, Kendrick performed Not Like Us, a diss track released on May 4, 2024, accusing Drake of inappropriate behavior. Prior to the performance, Drake had allegedly warned Kendrick that performing the song could lead to legal action for defamation and harassment. However, Kendrick went ahead with it anyway, further damaging Drake’s public image.
Beyond the feud, another track on the album, Meet Your Padre, has drawn criticism. Listeners mocked Drake’s Spanish pronunciation and speculated that the song’s subject was underage, fueling further controversy.
Personally, I don’t think the album is bad. While some tracks didn’t land well, I genuinely enjoyed a few, including Moth Balls, Gimme A Hug, and Nokia. These songs have a strong rhythm, with beats that flow smoothly throughout. I also feel they effectively capture Drake’s perspective on love. Although the album’s release timing wasn’t ideal, it could still serve as an opportunity for Drake to recover from recent controversies.
