Drake’s highly anticipated new album of 23 songs, “All the Dogs,” was released on October 6, after being postponed for three weeks. The album being postponed left fans disappointed and questioning Drake’s direction of the album. The album’s delay, which was discussed by the student body at Madison High School, stirred controversy and criticism within the larger public domain.
America’s popular music-media page Rolling Stone questioned, “Is Drake being exhausted of Drake?” (Rolling Stone). The public initially reacted to the delay of the album by questioning its potential. Rolling Stone also reported that Drake said he needed to take a break and focus more on his health rather than music due to underlying stomach problems and mental health; this was stated in his Sirius XM show called “Table for One.” Speculators believe that the reason for his lack of originality within his new album is due to his much needed break from the public.
Music critics through the app X’s “Album of the Year” account posted, “Drake’s ‘For All the Dogs’ is currently the lowest rated album of 2023” (Twitter – Album of the Year). The original delay of the album only added to the skepticism. When the album was released after Drake listeners impatiently waited, there was confusion. People thought that the delay of the album would assist in the making and clarity of his new songs. Instead, some Drake listeners were dissatisfied and took their criticism of his album’s concept and cover to a whole new level.
Disappointment and criticism of the album on platforms X, Instagram, and TikTok, although originally harsh, began to portray the album in a better light, especially as the American sports world chimed in and ESPN shared ‘All the Dogs’ references on their social media. Sports teams like the Hornets at Alabama State University athletics posted on X, ‘All for the Hornets’ mimicking Drake’s new album cover and enhancing their own school spirit. ESPN noted that the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, and more teams joined on this trend, which helped turn the hate of Drake’s new album into a less serious matter (ESPN). Athletes and influencers embracing his music on social media has served as an effective solution to the criticism.
More recently, this October, Billboard reported, “All 23 songs from the new album land on the latest Hot 100…’Slime You Out,’ featuring SZA, ranks at No. 6 after debuting at No. 1 three weeks ago” (Billboard). It seems that Drake’s new album is doing well for now according to public statistics. Although some listeners have mixed opinions about all 23 songs in ‘All the Dogs,’ it had a better outcome than anticipated and served as a representation that not every artist is perfect and timely while creating new music.