Friday, April 29 is a really great day for fans of the artist formerly known as Aubrey Graham, because Drake's new album Views officially dropped. As it usually goes with new albums, listeners can't help but analyze each song for the true meaning behind the lyrics. For example, in "Weston Road Flows," Drake mentions retirement. I know, it kind of seems far-fetched that he would even be thinking about stepping away from the music business. I mean, he's only 29. The rapper mentions in the track that he won't retire until he turns 35, which is still really young for anyone to think about retiring. That said, when you're a superstar with a lot of options, it's not that impractical. However, will Drake really retire at 35?
Seriously, what are the chances that he would retire at such a young age? One can't say for certain, because it just might be something he's only thought about, but would never follow through with it. Who hasn't done that before? Whatever the case, based on the following lyrics from "Weston Road Flows," retiring is most definitely something on Drake's mind. He raps,
Shout out to KD we relate we get the same attention. It's rainin' money, Oklahoma City Thunder. The most successful rapper 35 and under. I'm assumin' everybody's 35 and under. That's when I plan to retire, man it's already funded.
For those unaware, "KD" is NBA star Kevin Durant, who plays for Oklahoma City Thunder. Drake and Durant are close, and in August 2014 Drake tried to recruit the professional basketball player to the Toronto Raptors. This incident resulted in the Toronto Raptors being fined $25,000 for "a violation of its anti-tampering rules," per ESPN, because Drake was named the Raptors' global ambassador in 2013.
Based on the above lyrics, it sure seems like Drake believes the most successful rappers are 35 and under, including himself. If he really thinks rappers can't find success after 35, then he truly may retire. I mean, he does say "it's already funded."
And this isn't the first time Drake's spoken about retirement. While chatting with i-D Online (via Urban Daily) in May 2012, Drake again specifically mentioned the age 35:
I mean I don’t even know if I’ll still be making rap music. I don’t know how long I necessarily want to make rap music for. You know, there are artists who are 35 and up that still make rap and that still works for them. I don’t know if I want to be that guy.
He also said that maybe once he retires (whether that's at 35 or not), he'll get back into acting. He did find fame on Degrassi as Jimmy Brooks. He told i-D Online,
Maybe I’ll be just acting or whatever it is. That’s really my plan. I plan to make as much music as I can until a story from Drake doesn’t impact you as it used to.
Drake isn't the only rapper to announce his retirement from the business at 35. In September 2013, Lil Wayne told Katie Couric on her now-cancelled talk show, "Oh I know I’ll be able to retire at 35 because I am so ready to retire now." Lil Wayne is now 33, so he has two more years of making music for fans to see if his retirement declaration holds true.
As for Drake, who knows if he'll truly retire at 35. If so, there's no doubt he's leaving behind quite the legacy, not to mention he won't be gone for good, because he also just may become an even bigger talent in the acting world.
Image: Giphy
