korean entertainment: Drake Embraces His 'Emo' Side Despite Criticism

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Drake Embraces His 'Emo' Side Despite Criticism

'The running commentary or the jokes don't really affect me, 'cause that's what I'm going for,' Drake tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman

Drake
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

Drake isn't ashamed to wear his heart on his sleeve. Expressing emotion has actually worked well for the Young Money standout, despite the criticism he sometimes receives for being too open.

"If I worried about how I'm gonna look saying this, then I wouldn't make half the music I make," Drizzy told MTV News. "People nitpick at me for being emotional or tapping into emotions, but like, man, we all die one day; that's just how I want to be remembered."

Drake has plenty of soul-baring songs, from 2009's "The Calm" to this year's "Marvins Room," on which he drunk-dials an ex-girlfriend in an attempt to woo her back — if even for one night. While most of the criticism Drake receives is faceless commentary on Internet message boards, British singer Estelle noted that Drizzy was a little too "emo" for her tastes in a July radio interview.

The Toronto-born MC/singer, who will release his sophomore album Take Care on November 15, says his approach to writing lyrics is quite deliberate. Actually, his fans seem to enjoy it. Drake's 2010 album, Thank Me Later, is certified platinum by the RIAA, and he has earned himself five Grammy nominations and two Billboard Music Awards since breaking out in 2009.

"The running commentary or the jokes don't really affect me, 'cause that's what I'm going for," he said. "I don't want to be a guy that blends in with all the other generic rap music. I want to be the guy that stood out and pinpointed life emotions for women, men, young people, old people or whatever it is. So I don't trip, that's what I want. I welcome it."

Do you think Drake is too "emo"? Let us know in the comments.

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