unofficial import, sealed and on black vinyl – Back in 2009, Drake may have been new to you, but he was no stranger to success. A rapper turned singer turned actor whos been a force in his native Canada for years, Drake in 2009 finally bought his introspective swagger to the U.S. He started his campaign for stateside success with So Far Gone, a mixtape that could easily pass for an album for most musicians (what I like to call a mixalbum). So Far Gone is a meditative blend of hip-hop and soulful R&B thats reminiscent of 808s & Heartbreaks electronic brooding over love lost and sought after. If youre looking for an unadulterated party you may want to give T-Pain a call (believe me, hes down to party), but if you want to listen to an artist who was in the process of channeling his considerable talent into a concentrated vision, So Far Gone is a good place to start. For all his originality back then Drake seemed to still be finding his own voice, but he was young, and he still had time. Artistically he already was miles ahead of where most rappers are at any age, and if So Far Gone is any indication, his Breakthrough Artist of 2009 status will be more than an award, it will be a prophecy for more years to come.








