A Decade Between So Far Gone

BY HECTOR FIGUEROA

A decade has passed since the release of So Far Gone, a hip-hop mixtape released on Feb 13th, 2009 by recording artist, Drake. This momentous mixtape is the final one he would create as an independent artist as he signed a joint-venture deal with Young Money Cash Money Records and Universal Republic just four months after this project’s release. “Today is a definitely a comfortable day for me, having my team now that's been in place for a couple of years. It's just a great day." he explained of signing this deal.

His team, Young Money Music Label, was organized by recording artist Lil’ Wayne, surname Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. The relationship between Drake and Lil’ Wayne began in 2006 when Rap-a-Lot heir Jas Prince came across Drake’s music through the social media site, Myspace. Prince found Drake’s music through Myspace’s explore section where trending music would be ranked. Drake was ranked top three in the unsigned artist list so Jas messaged Drake saying how he could make his music known through his connections in the hip-hop industry. However, Drake responded with disbelief. Jas would continue messaging Drake with exclusive beats for him to rap over and send back to him. Prince played Drake’s music around Wayne until he asked who they were listening to and asked Prince to call Drake to have him flown in from Canada to Houston. Wayne was currently on tour and brought Drake alongside him to begin recording So Far Gone.

A decade has passed and Drake re-released So Far Gone as a celebration of how far he has come as an artist and as nostalgia for the fans and where they were 10 years ago listening to this album. The technology of a decade ago limited music on production, promotion, and distribution and all of these changes are visible in the release and follow up of this re-release. When Drake released this mixtape in 2009 it was available through digital download from October’s Very Own Record Label founded by Drake and fellow collaborators; Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver Eli-Khatib. This portentous mixtape is the final one he would create working solely under his independent label before signing his deal and further releasing nine studio albums. When So Far Gone was re-released, a re-mastered copy was available for purchase through Apple iTunes and Google Play. Re-mastered editions of music can include edits of cleaner vocals, better bass responses, and smoother transitions on songs that may sound muddy, unpolished, and could use refinement. So Far Gone is currently on track to appear on the Billboard Top 200 Chart currently selling 45,000 equivalent album units earned.

Work Cited

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