Why the “Scary Hours EP” Encapsulates Drake’s Formula For Success

Since its release on January 19th, ‘God’s Plan’ has set the Apple music record with 60 million listens in a week-span (as reported by Billboard.com). Earlier in the week, Drake had also crushed the Apple music first-day record for listens in 24 hours, with over 14 million. But why should we act surprised? ‘God’s Plan’ is the most absolute and most Drake-version of a Drake track. There couldn’t be a more Drake song! For a majority of his tenure among hip-hop’s modern-day Mount Rushmore, Drake has combined his razor-sharp lyrical approach with otherwise corny, catchy, and mostly sung hooks. But to no surprise, it has worked – and it has worked for track after track. There is something about the brand of Drake that has turned even nominal hip-hop listeners into 14-year old girls wailing that “only love my bed and my momma” hook! That’s because Drake, as discussed by HipHopDX via Youtube, has exploited the Hip-Pop lane to his musical style. And yet again, at just two tracks, the “Scary Hours EP” has epitomized this concept; pitching to both his lyrical-focused base with ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ and pop-listener in ‘God’s Plan’. Now ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ is also worth some discussing. This is the song that those deep-divers of the Drake discography can really appreciate. The classic 4-bar style that Drizzy has cleaned up off of. Bar after bar after bars referencing past bars…a quick look at the Genius page for it will tear your mind in half. Clever wordplay and cryptic mentions of Joe Budden and goodness! In sum, October’s Very Own has never strayed from HIS brand – and much like other successful “brands”, from Apple to Gucci – staying true to your roots SELLS. As Drake closes in on his 35-mark as referenced by his ‘Weston Road Flows’ bar, it will be interesting to see if he can still master his brand in the coming years…OR will corniness set in? And as always, for more hot takes, project reviews, and analysis – keep it here.