Once again, Drake has dropped a new project with no advanced marketing that sees every song off the release chart simultaneously.
Drake initially announced the existence of Care Package through Instagram randomly on Aug. 1, and it hit streaming platforms less than 24 hours later, coinciding with the start of his ninth annual OVO Fest. The 17-track compilation features songs that were released between 2010 and 2016, and mostly unavailable on official streaming outlets before Friday. It features J. Cole, Rick Ross, and James Fauntleroy, with uncredited vocals by PartyNextDoor (“Heat of the Moment”), Sampha (“The Motion”) and Beyoncé (“Can I”).
Producers on Care Package include Noah “40” Shebib, Allen Ritter, Boi-1da, T-Minus, Ducko Mcfli, Nikhil Seetharam, PartyNextDoor, Sampha, Syk Sense, Frank Dukes, Jordan Evans, Cadastre, and Vinylz.
“Call it curious that one of the most impactful artists of the era can hold in such high regard a collection of songs that largely were never officially released, but such is the incredibly bountiful catalogue of Drake, where even tracks that didn’t make the cut hold a special place in the hearts of his supporters.” – Apple Music
Drake described Care Package as “some of our most important moments together available in one place.”
Timeline wise, the 2010’s J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-produced “Paris Morton Music” (similar to “Aston Marton Music” but Drake riding solo and doing the hook by himself) and “I Get Lonely” are the earliest songs featured, while “4PM in Calabasas” is the most recent song recorded on the track listing. That track premiered on OVO Sound Radio back in June 2016.
“some of our most important moments together available in one place.” – Drake
Whether Care Package has been planned for some time, or it just an idea that came to life recently, the public response is presumably being viewed as a success by OVO. Especially when you consider the lack of promotion and new music. One single Instagram post and the project with songs that everyone has already heard is smashing the charts.
On Apple’s Top 100: Canada chart, all 17-songs on Care Package are featured with the highest ranked track being “The Motion” in the #7 spot.
The Top 10 of Apple Music’s Top 100: Canada on Aug. 4
In total, Drake is currently on 21 of the 100 songs listed, with his highest performer being the Rick Ross-assisted “Money In The Grave,” which was released in June shortly after the Toronto Raptors won their first NBA title, and is not on Care Package. The other songs on the chart not found on Care Package include Chris Brown and Drake on “No Guidance,” the Drake-assisted “Going Bad” by Meek Mill, and Rick Ross’ new single “Gold Roses.”
The OVO/Maybach Music-connection has certainly produced a long history of collaborative chart success, and Rick Ross is easily one of the artists Drake has charted with the most since first appearing on one back in 2007 with “Replacement Girl” (featuring Trey Songz). Just this past week, the pair released their latest collaboration, “Gold Roses,” which is expected to appear on Ross’ new album, Port of Miami 2, out Aug. 9.
Click here to view the full Top 100: Canada chart. Apple describes the chart as the most-played songs in Canada (on their platform specifically), which is updated daily.
“Care Package is expected to sell about 100 to 120K in its first week.” – HipHopNMore
As for Billboard, Drake continues to see a ton of success when releasing new music, and the compilation of these older tunes could be all over next week’s report as well. Time will tell. According to HipHopNMore: “Care Package is expected to sell about 100 to 120K in its first week.”
Those are great numbers and should increase Drake’s Billboard presence significantly. And while none of the songs off Care Package are currently listed on Billboard’s Top 100 (again, that could change next week), Drake is already featured three times including “Money in the Grave” and the aforementioned hits with C. Breezy, and Meek Mill. Surprisingly, “Gold Roses” has yet to crack the Hot 100. Care Package also hasn’t reached Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart yet but Scorpion, Views, and More Life are all on the list.
You can find Care Package on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
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