TW: Indirect mention alluding to suicide.

“ICEMAN” was one of the three albums Drake released simultaneously on May 15. This drop marks his return to music after multiple lawsuits and the Kendrick Lamar (KDOT) takedown. He did a livestream the night before his release. He also dropped music videos for all the tracks on the “ICEMAN” album, excluding “Make Them Cry” and “Firm Friends.”

The album features Drake’s hand doing an “OK” symbol in Michael Jackson’s iconic studded glove. Apparently, Drake bought the glove in an auction and wore this artifact, last touched by MJ, for this cover. I think artists and celebrities need to open their eyes and see they are not bigger than the program and above honoring the legacy and history of others because of their so-called notoriety. It’s offensive.

The Favored and Unfavored 

I was surprised to find out this was a diss album; there was diss after diss, I thought they would never end. There were also many beat switches mid-song, most of which I thought were hitting (such as in “National Treasures”) while others had me rolling my eyes like Drake…seriously?

My favorites were (from most to least): 

• “2 Hard 4 The Radio”
• “Make Them Pay” (which lyric-wise I thought was one of the most interesting)
• “National Treasures”
• “Whisper My Name”
• “Dust”
• “Make Them Cry”

I really did not enjoy “Janice STFU.” I mostly didn’t like the beat and the soundbite, which I found out was a direct sample from the show “The Sopranos,” that I also didn’t like. 

The same goes for “Ran to Atlanta.” The Future feature was all right, but I’m unsure what Molly Santana was supposed to bring to the track. Repeating that you are the “new Hannah Montana” isn’t enough. 

I was very impartial to the other tracks. They didn’t really stick out to me. 

The Lyricism

I was disappointed in the lyricism in a lot of these tracks. Most of the time it felt like he was just rambling to no avail. It felt empty, like random intrusive thoughts (hope listeners of the album caught that). The only songs that made me feel anything were “Make Them Cry” and “Dust.” 

Here are some lines I was genuinely shocked by (I had to close Spotify for a second):

• “National Treasures” – “Check signin’ is my kink, pushin’ out ink, I feel like a squid”: Now Drake… This was just a li’l weird, but I’ll give it to you.
• “National Treasures” – “Iceman was a nice man, now I’m hot and cold”: Drake, please.
• “National Treasures” – “R.I.P. Kobe, but y’all n***** brokie / That’s probably why y’all be shackin’ together”: He did a little something.
• “Shabang” – “Maneesh on the beat, shabang”: Just listen to it.
• “Shabang” – “Last one you dropped was shit / I did press play on that ho / Mid, mid, mid, skip skip”: Sure, Drake.
• “2 Hot 4 The Radio – “I’ma show you what to do, lil’ boy, ay / I’ma show you what to do lil’ boy, ay”: This diss to KDOT was very in your face. I cringed a little but I thought it was kind of funny. 

These are just a fraction of some of the lines from the album that surprised me. 

In my opinion, “Shabang” was a mess, while “Make Them Pay” is a very good example of Drake trying and failing to make people take him seriously. Another line in “Shabang” that made me laugh was, “Where is the GOAT? They need one / The mirror’s right here, I see one.” The crowd goes mid. … These are truly words of affirmation that Drake repeats to himself in the mirror.

Thoughts on the The Favored

“Make Them Pay” was one of the most significant tracks to me (for both good and bad reasons). This is another one where he reflects on the 2024 beef. He uses a majestic sample of “Free” by Deniece Williams, which I think is the part I like the most, along with the way he closes out the track, singing with it. 

The DJ Khaled diss/verse was initially confusing:. 

“And, Khaled, you know what I mean / The beef was fully live, you went halal and got on your deen / And your people are still waitin’ for a free Palestine / But apparently everything isn’t black and white and red and green, damn”  

But after further inspection of these lyrics, it seems it may have been rightfully deserved because Khaled hasn’t publicly addressed the genocide happening in Gaza as a Palestinian. 

Lines like “‘Cause they was at my birthday when I was searchin’ big-booty ebonies, jeez” really made me sit and think, “What am I listening to?”  

Then he says, “I need compliments ‘cause lately, it’s just falling-outs and disagreements…” This line, among others, made me think about Drake and his “alone at the top” mantra, another reason he needs affirmation.

As one of my favorites, I really only liked “2 Hot 4 The Radio” because of the beat.

I found some of the disses very distasteful and at times unclear, specifically the A$AP Rocky lines. He addresses Rihanna and Rocky in his track “Burning Bridges” but takes it a step further by saying “KYS ASAP…” a clear insult hidden behind this wordplay in “Firm Friends.” I suppose the point is to antagonize and upset people, keeping the tension alive, but I believe there is a line. 

Disses threatening someone’s life are one thing but lyrics like this perpetuate language that can be harmful to those suffering with mental health issues. This also creates a negative environment online, which allows trolls to missuse these already derogatory lines wherever and whenever they see fit. 

Final Thoughts

The problem with this album and his newer hits is the fact that they lack heart in what he is saying. I think there are hits on some of his recent albums, but I do believe he lost his heart. His rap feels mechanical at times, with no true care behind it. It doesn’t feel like he’s digging deep.

At the heart of this, I think Drake is still grappling with being publicly humiliated and trying to assert his dominance over the situation as a “big dog” and all the people who wronged or switched up on him. Drake has always had a lot to prove as someone who is not fully accepted by the rap community. 

In “Whisper My Name,” he states, “‘Cause you know these n***** been countin’ me out,” an example of his insecurity. He does not have the street cred he wants and overcompensates for it in a way people find funny, the exact opposite of what he seems to wish. That must be why so many of the songs included affirmations and words of encouragement.

Drake reveals himself and his insecurities quite a bit. While this is something people attack because these lines are super corny, this is an art form that allows for self-expression. His corniness is something he is renowned for; many people who hate this album point this out, while lovers of the album and Drake in general glorify every word. All in all, I think the album wasn’t anything special, and I will not be listening to the other albums.