Scary Hours 2: Everything Was the Same
By Elie Weitzman
“What’s Next” Music Video
The first week of March this year was brought in by none other than Aubrey Drake Graham. The megastar dropped Scary Hours 2, the sequel to his 2018 pack of singles that includes the now-iconic “God’s Plan.” While the new releases may never reach the level of cultural iconography that his ultra-philanthropic music video did two years ago, they are a welcome addition to his extensive discography, serving up a classic Drake-type sound that fans know and love.
“What’s Next” is your typical self-indulgent Drake track, full of boastful lyrics and plenty of his signature ad-libs (most notably, “ay!” and the occasional “woah”). There isn’t much to discuss when it comes to the lyrical content of the song, but to be fair, that’s never been his brand. The man knows where he belongs: at the top of the charts. He even acknowledges it in this song, stating, “I put a skirt on a whip and a crown on the six,” referencing both his expensive car collection and the crowning of “The 6,” his hometown of Toronto, as top dogs in the industry (not to be confused with Kendrick Lamar’s Top Dawg Entertainment, of course). The song really flourishes in its production, though. The same can be said for all three parts of this release, from the hyper and upbeat hi-hats on “What’s Next” to the dark yet bouncy instrumental on “Wants and Needs” to the immaculate Quadron sample on “Lemon Pepper Freestyle.” Yes, Drake’s voice is suited perfectly for his genre and the features from Lil Baby and Rick Ross are exactly the kind of star-power that lifts these songs from good to great. However, it is the production that truly carries.
Scary Hours 2 Album Cover / Click to Listen!
The in-house team at OVO, led by Noah “40” Shebib, has consistently provided some of the most iconic beats for Drake to spit over. Even as far back as the So Far Gone era, Drake has consistently been accompanied by high-quality instrumentals. The best parts of Scary Hours 2 come from the producer lineup, consisting of Maneesh, Supah Mario, 40, Cardo, Dez Wright, Austin Powerz, FnZ, Keanu Beats, and Boi-1da.
Let’s be real: if you’re looking for something revolutionary, this is not for you. But if you’re looking for something comfortingly familiar and catchy, look no further. Drake has instilled his sound into the collective psyche of pop culture, a feat that few have ever come close to. Drake is the Marvel Cinematic Universe of music at this moment: popular through several eras, consisting of an extensive swath of work, and constantly setting the standard for success. This release does not shy away from the spotlight that follows him; instead, it owns his sound proudly. Even through a pandemic, there is always one thing music lovers can count on—Drake will stay Drake. Scary Hours 2 is proof. 7.5/10