After months of waiting, Drake’s More Life album shattered streaming records with 89.9 million streams on Apple Music in the first 24 hours after its March 18 release. More Life streamed 61.3 million times in its first day of release, a record for the Apple Music service.

Fans raved about Drake’s previous album Views, his most profitable yet. Drake continues breaking records no artist in hip-hop history ever dares to break. Most recently, he beat the record set by Michael Jackson for nomination of the most American Music Awards.

Moreover, More Life creates a new phase for Drake, letting the audience in on exactly who he has become mentally and the new directions life took him. Rather than fast beats and sly rapping, Drake taps into the light-hearted side of himself. In fact, the title itself relays the overall message behind the album.

While listening, messages arise that Drake will always seek more excitement, more relationships, more challenges, more heartbreak, and essentially “more life.” His first two songs remain classic Drake, his voice filling the air with a teeth-cutting edge and variating between high and clear. “Free Smoke,” “No Long Talk,” “Portland,” and “Gyalchester” display repetitiveness, but always keep an arm’s-length relationship with the beat.

“‘Free Smoke’ sounded the same as all of his stuff, but I was bobbin to it,” NC junior Eilynn Moronta said.

However, “Blem,” “Madiba Riddim,” “Get It Together” and “Passionfruit” possess an island flavor coated with Jamaican accents and island beats that invoke the true islander lying within all listeners. Instead of aiming for dull festival grandeur, Drake emphasizes the movement’s assimilated with his black roots ( heard in the sensual “Passionfruit”), dancehall celebrations, and Nigerian Afrobeats.

Drake’s songs on this album prove musically meaningful and compare to the ones demonstrated by Beyoncé on Lemonade. Drake gave us a taste of this new island style with his fourth album, but More Life gives us the whole delicious meal.  

Above all, Drake uses his song “Glow,” featuring Kanye west, to present a message vital to all audiences: “Watch out for me, because my success will only shine brighter and continue to prosper.”

“I really related to Drake’s song Glow, because I myself have felt like all the success I’ve been receiving lately will put me at a better place in the future,” NC junior Steavie Slaw said.

More Life flows with more assured lyrics and smoother sequencing, and contributes to his certifiable genius. Drake throbs listeners hearts by pleading for lessons on how to love again, and overwhelms us with compassionate helms.

“I’ve never been so touched by his music than with this new album,” NC freshman Katie Word said.

The Chant’s grade: A+