Album Review: Drake & Future's 'What a Time to be Alive' is a Spur of the Moment Hit

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Last week Drake and Future began teasing a collaborative mixtape titled, What a Time to be Alive and on Sunday it all came to fruition in a grand way.

If you tuned into Drake's OVO Sound show on Apple's Beats 1 radio, you were treated to the first live stream of What a Time to be Alive, the collaborative "mixtape" feature Drizzy and Future.

The album is quite a surprise for fans who were mostly excited for Drake's Views From The 6 and Future fans who were still bumping DS2.

Both Drake and Future have a longstanding friendship that's had it's fair share of ups and downs, however, now it seems stronger than ever on What a Time to be Alive.

King King King

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The WATTBA album, which was released via Cash Money and Epic Records, hit iTunes a little before it's scheduled time of 8 PM on Sunday mid-way through it's second play on Beats 1 radio. Drake pulled the "mixtape" stunt with If You're Reading This It's Too Late earlier in the year but making it available on iTunes instead of releasing it for free.

For that simple fact, it can only be referred to as an album. That doesn't stop Lebron James and Dwayne Wade from weighing in on the project, where their superstar team-up was compared to that of Future and Drake.

Now, with the technicalities out of the way, we have to address the masterful production that was headed by Metro Boomin, who had production credits on 7 of the 11 tracks. Metro Boomin is known for his work with Young Thung, Rich Homie Quan, Travis Scott and many more artists.

He specializes in heavy trap beats that are heavy trunk rattlers.

Boomin along with Southside, Boi-1Da, Allen Ritter, Frank Dukes, Neenyo, Noel and Noah "40" Shebib all deserve a round of applause for the production on this album which is second to none.

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The album is well done for such a short turn around time. According to Drake's appearance on OVO Sound radio Sunday, the tracks were recorded during a 6 day time period where he and Future worked nonstop to create WATTBA. Drake also said it was initially supposed to be a couple of tracks but turned into something greater.

the WATTBA album kicks off with a high energy track "Digital Dash" and the energy then intensifies on "Live From the Gutter".

Money, numbers and women are the major sources of inspiration on this track however, both Future and Drake display they respective lyrical talents.

In fact, speculation has already begun around the real meaning behind the "Big Rings" track that some are calling yet another Meek Mill diss.

"Diamonds Dancing" slows things down a bit and brings the album artwork for the project to life. It's an infectious track with an even more infectious hook. Both Drake and Future also display their vocal abilities taking a bit of a break from the trap lyrics and clever punchlines.

It's a standout track on the album and one that fans might revisit a bit more often than others. "Scholarships" is a braggadocios track that continues the trend of egotistical lyrics that put their lifestyle on a pedestal.

What's a Future and Drake collaboration album without a stripper anthem like "Plastic Bag"? The song features production that will illustrate a smokey strip club featured in many hip-hop videos.

The team jumps right back into the trap music with "I'm the Plug" and slows down once more with "Change Location". Meanwhile, the "Jumpman" track features Future and mostly Drake flexing heavily.

The obvious idea of the track comes from Drake being a part of Team Jordan and having his own pair of OVO Air Jordan Retro 10's released two weeks ago.

It feels like Drizzy is trying to make the "Jumpman" take a flying leap back over the Yeezy's.

What a Time to be Alive concludes with two tracks where each artist is able to shine on their own. Future uses "Jersey" to showcase his one of a kind style that appeals to the trap crowd.

Meanwhile, Drake turns the tables and issues a track similar to "Charged Up" in terms of the overall sound.

The track titled "30 for 30 Freestyle" is another big song from Drake where he sticks to the lyrics and even addresses all the ghost-writing comments being made across the internet, following his beef with Meek Mill.

Drizzy also says he's tired of having fake people around him and really gets us excited for "Views From The 6."

What a Time to be Alive is a solid piece from Future and Drake, given the turn around time. They managed to spark hype with ease and it's safe to say Beats 1 radio might have been flooded with listeners on Sunday who were anticipating the project.

Future has already released his DS2 project that was a hit among fans but Drake is still promising more great music with "Views From The 6," in the meantime WATTBA will provide the fix many Drake fans needed.

let us know your personal thoughts on the album below in the comments section.

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