Is What a Time to Be Alive a good place to start with Drake?

Yes, What a Time to Be Alive is recommended as a starting point for new Drake listeners. A dynamic blend of braggadocio and experimental beats that captures the zeitgeist of mid-2010s hip-hop culture. At the time of its release, Drake was riding high on the success of his previous album, 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late', which had solidified his place at the forefront of hip-hop. 'What a Time to Be Alive' serves as a collaborative project with Future, showcasing a new direction in Drake's sound while maintaining his chart dominance. This album followed a series of successful mixtapes and albums, marking a significant moment in his evolving musical persona.

Who is What a Time to Be Alive for?

What a Time to Be Alive works well if you're into party-ready tracks for celebration, catchy anthems for group vibes and short bursts of high energy.

How many songs are on What a Time to Be Alive?

What a Time to Be Alive has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

What a Time to Be Alive

Drake · 2015

40 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B

A dynamic blend of braggadocio and experimental beats that captures the zeitgeist of mid-2010s hip-hop culture.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Digital Dash Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Jumpman — This track became a cultural phenomenon through its infectious hook and memorable production, epitomizing the collaboration's energy and impact.
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Big Rings — With its triumphant beat and celebratory lyrics, this track exemplifies the album's themes of success and ambition while becoming an anthem for many fans.
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30 for 30 Freestyle — This introspective track showcases Drake's lyrical prowess, offering a reflective dive into his journey amidst assertive wordplay over minimalistic production.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends styles and showcases strong collaborations, though it follows familiar trends in contemporary hip-hop.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature overlapping verses between Drake and Future, creating a conversational dynamic rather than distinct solo performances.
The album closes with '30 for 30 Freestyle', which shifts to a more introspective tone, contrasting with the preceding high-energy tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

party-ready tracks for celebration
catchy anthems for group vibes
short bursts of high energy
dynamic beats for workout motivation

Maybe skip if you

slow-paced reflective listening
long-form narrative exploration

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This collaboration elevated both artists' profiles and showcased their commercial peak.
Themes: rap game ascent· celebration of success· collaborative synergy
Career context: At the time of its release, Drake was riding high on the success of his previous album, 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late', which had solidified his place at the forefront of hip-hop. 'What a Time to Be Alive' serves as a collaborative project with Future, showcasing a new direction in Drake's sound while maintaining his chart dominance. This album followed a series of successful mixtapes and albums, marking a significant moment in his evolving musical persona.
Stylistic neighbors: The Weeknd· J. Cole· Travis Scott

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

30 for 30 Freestyle

Drake shifts from confident bravado to contemplative reflection, revealing vulnerabilities about fame and expectations.

This transition in tone provides depth to the narrative, contrasting his public persona with personal struggles and creating a multi-dimensional character.