Nothing Was the Same

Nothing Was the Same is Drake's third studio album, released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. The record, which began production in 2012, features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Jhené Aiko, and Sampha. Production was largely handled by 40 and other OVO Sound affiliates, including Boi-1da, Mike Zombie, Nineteen85, and Detail. The album's sound blends moody, atmospheric beats with Drake's signature introspective and often melancholic lyrics, exploring themes of fame, relationships, and personal growth. It includes 15 tracks, with standout singles like "Started from the Bottom" and "Hold On, We're Going Home," both of which cracked the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 658,000 copies in its first week, and also topped charts in Canada and Denmark. It received generally positive reviews and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

The album's title reflects Drake's conviction that his life and career had fundamentally changed, and the music captures a moment of artistic maturation. Pitchfork described it as "Drake and 40's most audacious experiment yet in how far inward they can push their sound." Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend praised its ambition and cohesion, noting that the title signals a definitive shift in Drake's trajectory.

Commercially, the album has shown remarkable staying power. As of April 2026, it had spent 520 weeks on the Billboard 200, making it Drake's second album to reach that milestone after Take Care. In May 2026, Drake surpassed Michael Jackson in the number of albums spending ten or more years on the chart, with Nothing Was the Same being one of three Drake albums to do so. [edit]