Take Care

Drake's second studio album, Take Care, arrived on November 15, 2011, through Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic Records. A 17-track collection blending hip-hop, contemporary R&B, and pop, it found the rapper refining his sound after the rushed feel of his debut, Thank Me Later. Working extensively with producer 40, Drake crafted a moody, low-tempo landscape marked by minimalist R&B, existential lyrics, and a mix of singing and rapping. Guest spots from The Weeknd, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and André 3000 added depth, while themes of fame, romance, and narcissism ran through tracks like "Headlines" and "The Motto." Despite leaking early, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 631,000 copies in its first week. It later went diamond and won Best Rap Album at the 2013 Grammys. Rolling Stone ranked it 95th on its 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The album's production lineup reads like a who's who of early 2010s hip-hop and R&B. Besides 40, who executive produced, contributors included Boi-1da, Just Blaze, Jamie xx, T-Minus, and The Weeknd himself. The Weeknd's influence looms large, he co-wrote and appeared on "Crew Love" and "The Ride," and his hazy, atmospheric style seeps into the album's overall vibe. The deluxe edition added two bonus tracks: "Hate Sleeping Alone" and a remix of "The Motto."

Singles performed solidly on the charts. "Headlines" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Make Me Proud" reached number 9, and the title track with Rihanna climbed to number 7. "The Motto" became a cultural touchstone, popularizing the phrase YOLO (you only live once). Critics praised the album's cohesion and emotional honesty, with Pitchfork calling it "a masterful, melancholic masterpiece." It won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2012 Juno Awards and Best Rap Album at the 2013 Grammys, where it was also up for Album of the Year.[edit]