“Care Package” serves as the debut compilation album by the renowned Canadian rapper Drake. This musical collection, under the banners of OVO Sound and Republic Records, emerged on August 2, 2019.
Within its sonic embrace lie tracks that span from 2010 to 2016, initially beyond the grasp of purchase or mainstream streaming. This assembly of sounds features notable collaborations with J. Cole, Rick Ross, James Fauntleroy, and additional vocal contributions by Sampha and Beyoncé.
The birth of “Care Package” closely follows the rejuvenation of Drake’s mixtape, “So Far Gone,” making its entrance onto streaming platforms in February 2019. With an Instagram proclamation on August 1, 2019, Drake’s intention to unleash the “Care Package” was publicly declared. Remarkably, the release of this auditory anthology seamlessly coincided with the commencement of the ninth annual OVO Fest in Toronto, an event integral to Drake’s creative narrative.
The melodies encompassed within “Care Package” initially served as promotional assets for several album projects across the passing years. “I Get Lonely” and “Paris Morton Music,” the earliest musical offspring, graced ears in 2010 following the inaugural chapter of Drake’s discography, “Thank Me Later.” Progressing chronologically, the year 2011 unveiled “Dreams Money Can Buy,” “Trust Issues,” “Club Paradise,” and “Free Spirit” before the second studio venture, “Take Care,” took center stage.
Fast forward to 2013, preluding the release of “Nothing Was the Same,” the offerings “5 AM in Toronto,” “Girls Love Beyoncé,” and “Jodeci Freestyle” emerged. Nestled within the same timeline, “The Motion” secured its place as a bonus gem on the exclusive physical deluxe and international editions of “Nothing Was the Same.”
The year 2014 witnessed the unveiling of “Draft Day” and “Days in the East,” both disseminated via October Very Own’s SoundCloud platform. The following years saw the online leakage of “Heat of the Moment,” alongside “How About Now” and “6 God” in 2014. While “How About Now” and “My Side” graced the physical edition of the mixtape “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” as supplementary tracks, the ethereal “Can I,” featuring Beyoncé’s vocals, made its unofficial entrance in 2015. The journey culminates in 2016 with the premiere of “4 PM in Calabasas” on OVO Sound Radio, a track that claims the latest spot on this meticulously curated album.
In terms of critical reception, “Care Package” encountered an appreciative embrace from music pundits. Metacritic, renowned for its normalized scoring system, averaged a score of 77 based on reviews from five mainstream sources. Roisin O’Connor, a critic from The Independent, astutely observed the lyrical departure between the compiled compositions and Drake’s contemporaneous releases. She also highlighted the emergence of a darker, more introspective atmosphere that distinguishes “Care Package” from the eclectic soundscape of 2018’s “Scorpion.”
In essence, “Care Package” stands as a testament to Drake’s sonic evolution and offers an encapsulated voyage through his artistic growth, all while earning commendations from the critical sphere.
