Drake's 'Habibti': A Deep Dive into His First Solo R&B Album

On Christmas 2019, Drake revealed in a Rap Radar interview what many already suspected: his dedication to melodic R&B for women and hard-hitting rap. From his early days as Heartbreak Drake to Certified Loverboy, he's always embraced his role as a lover boy.

He previously dedicated album sides to R&B, like the B-side of Scorpion in 2018, and collaborated with PARTYNEXTDOOR on $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. But fans have long awaited a solo R&B project.

That wait is over. On May 15th, alongside ICEMAN, Drake surprised fans with Habibti and Maid of Honour. Habibti marks his first full-fledged solo R&B exploration.

Featuring Sexyy Red, Loe Shimmy, Qendresa, and PARTYNEXTDOOR, the album delves into emotions with a grown-and-sexy vibe, showcasing Drake's evolution.

Here's a ranking of Habibti's tracks:

• “Rusty Intro”

For those calling Drake formulaic, acoustic tunes are now part of his repertoire. While he's dabbled before, “Rusty Intro” is a full commitment. It evokes a local dive bar talent show, ending with accelerated guitar strumming. Refreshing, but short.

• “High Fives”

A solid track with a cool beat and flow, but somewhat one-note. It's a vibe, but other tracks on the album offer more depth.

• “White Bone”

Features one of Drake's best vocal performances. The second half's deeper croon is a bit monotonous, but the lyrics compensate. The song could be shorter to maintain the initial impact.

• “Prioritizing”

Feels like a sequel to “Fortworth,” minimal yet captivating. The lyrics are humorous and introspective. It builds anticipation without fully peaking, leaving you with Drake's ruminations.

• “I’m Spent” Feat. Loe Shimmy

A major moment for Loe Shimmy, who sounds great. Drake adds energy. Linear but elevated by their vocals. Its brevity makes it hard to compete with longer, more varied tracks, but still solid.

• “Gen 5”

An amalgamation of the project's sounds. The production echoes “Classic,” the flow recalls “White Bone,” and autotune is prevalent. The second half, with pure vocals, is stronger. A respectful attempt to please all fans, but the latter half should have dominated.

• “WNBA”

Starts extraterrestrial, then transitions to signature Drake with wordplay and reflection. The house music chorus elevates the song, creating a fluid arrangement. A standout track.

• “Hurrr Not Thurr” Feat. Sexyy Red

Sexyy Red's R&B appearances are always a welcome jolt of energy. Her delivery is a whisper, complementing Drake's emotion. The repetitive hook is catchy, especially between her verses.

• “Slap the City” Feat. Qendresa

Extremely smooth. Qendresa's portions feel '90s-esque, like a warm audio hug. The beat switch sets Drake up for bars, showcasing his mastery of blending rap and R&B. A moment for another female artist to shine.

• “Fortworth” Feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR

Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR deliver a track rivaling their joint project. Stripped down, focusing on their voices and words. The harmonizing female vocalist adds another layer. Phenomenal work.

• “Classic”

Drake's music evokes strong nostalgia, sometimes overshadowing his artistic growth. “Classic” ranks among his best R&B cuts, reminiscent of “Jaded” and “Jungle.” Old-school production, cadence, and vocal filter. Some of his best singing, with a looping classic R&B outro. Aptly named.

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