If You're Reading This It's Too Late [Mixtape]
by Drake
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 517 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 433 out of 517
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 517
  3. Negative: 43 out of 517

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  1. lilgnzlo
    Feb 15, 2015
    10
    if you doesn't listen to Drake before, this is not the best work to get started.

    but for the people who are fans, i guess this mixtape is perfect. It's clearly not an studio album, there's isn't any song too commercial on this, but i really whink, if this it's only a mixtape then my expectations for the official album are really high!.

    10/10 for a mixtape!
  2. MrLahey
    Feb 16, 2015
    10
    This is Drake's darkest most raw piece of work yet, His rapping is more agressive and confiident than before, the production from boi1da and 40 is simply amazing. Drake is the greatest rapper right now and this mixtape proves it. Just pure greatness.
  3. daelfishdevil
    Feb 18, 2015
    10
    really good. definitely his most raw body of work. it grows on you with every listen. pretty much every song is good.. 6pm in new york is a favorite. so is legend.
  4. OVOsound
    Apr 14, 2015
    10
    As a Drake fan, from way, way, way..... back, there is room for bias in this review. That being said this Albu-tape (that is hat I am calling it) was a freebee, and ose to the fans, the hungry ones. This makes it hard to compare, and even review. Drake's A-tape is well written, but not too deep, it is Deep, but not too personal, it's personal but not overly introspective, yet exciting yetAs a Drake fan, from way, way, way..... back, there is room for bias in this review. That being said this Albu-tape (that is hat I am calling it) was a freebee, and ose to the fans, the hungry ones. This makes it hard to compare, and even review. Drake's A-tape is well written, but not too deep, it is Deep, but not too personal, it's personal but not overly introspective, yet exciting yet not eccentric. Nonetheless, Drake never puts anything our half stepping... The component of this 17 track composition that I found most commendable is its Replay value, in large due to its production quality; that and there is NOTHING else happening in Hip-Hop, besides you're unexpected Samurai slash here and there from Kendrick. In total I've, and still am, am enjoying this remarkable, impulse driven, out of the blue Albu-tape... This is Album worthy content, like So Far Gone. It's a solid 10 given its timing, longevity, and context. Oh.. and he" took "he summer off just to get it right" -Drake… Expand
  5. YPree
    Feb 14, 2015
    10
    Very nice production, Drake really outdid himself on this mixtape. From songs like 6pm in New York which was very lyrical to Jungle which is more laid back. Amazing project from an amazing artist.
  6. davidofgraft
    Feb 15, 2015
    10
    At first listen, I didn't know how to feel about this, because there aren't many memorable hooks or verses on here. Upon more listens, though, I truly understand this project. Drake put focus on putting out a raw, unpolished body of work. Sure, he may have done this just to satisfy a label contract. Sure, this may not be his best project. However, Drake still has an ear for beats and knowsAt first listen, I didn't know how to feel about this, because there aren't many memorable hooks or verses on here. Upon more listens, though, I truly understand this project. Drake put focus on putting out a raw, unpolished body of work. Sure, he may have done this just to satisfy a label contract. Sure, this may not be his best project. However, Drake still has an ear for beats and knows how to rap (no matter how sporadic or unfocused his lyrics may occasionally be). It's one for the record books.… Expand
  7. tylergnc
    Feb 17, 2015
    10
    The biggest & best rapper in the game comes back harder than ever with a moody album that proves he is Gods darkest angel, & raps greatest gem. Even if you hate Drake, you should like this.
  8. bhooks
    Dec 29, 2015
    10
    This is Drake best at his best, his goat, the best to do it, to be honest, Drake is the best MC right now, hes versatile and very skilled nobody does what he does, everybody wants to take his crown, but hes not worried about it, cause hes indestructible hes the god rapper himself, 6 God.
  9. ZachKendall
    May 23, 2021
    10
    The most confident and melodic Drake has ever been in his career. For sure setting his fans up for the evolution of his sound on his next album. On this mixtape, there is a good mixture of aggression with sensitivity which has separated Drake from the rest of the rappers in the game. Just a warm-up for Views!
  10. WANGWEST
    May 31, 2016
    10
    As usual I am a huge Drake fan and would always give him a 10. From songs like trap-R&B song Preach ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR to hits like Energy and Legend. This album shows the real Drake, the emotional Drake, the soft Drake and the 6 God. This album is certainly a pick for one of the best rap albums of the year, decade and century.
  11. adrianmarino
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    LIT, hard ass tracks, very drake. I honestly like every single song. This is the drake the people want and have been searching for. This drake is better than any active rapper right now.
  12. MadMananForever
    Mar 24, 2022
    10
    This album was just legendary for me. Not even 1 bad song. Like literally the contrast in this album by the beats and by drake himself were just perfect.
  13. samuelmirands
    Jun 21, 2022
    10
    The best Drake project ever. It's impossible to get over it. We are in 2022 and people still wants a part 2 for this.
  14. 305Records
    Mar 5, 2023
    10
    Drakes best body of work! I wish he’d continue to drop music like this today! Still holds up
  15. amrit
    Feb 13, 2015
    9
    Drake killed this. Whole project is filled with hits, amazing production, lyrics are great has well. I feel Drake is one of the best artists the game right now, whenever he drops something the world shuts down and gets astonished by his work.
  16. AlFelix
    Feb 16, 2015
    9
    Overall i felt the album was really good, Drake's rapping and singing mix delivered on this album or mixtape what ever it is. The record could of been much better without Partynextdoor though. Production on the record was great , hooks etc. were also great like usual dreezy. Drake though needs better punch lines and needs to put in a lil more rap and a lil less singing but flow was amazingOverall i felt the album was really good, Drake's rapping and singing mix delivered on this album or mixtape what ever it is. The record could of been much better without Partynextdoor though. Production on the record was great , hooks etc. were also great like usual dreezy. Drake though needs better punch lines and needs to put in a lil more rap and a lil less singing but flow was amazing throughout the album. And lastly i really enjoyed the hidden shots… Expand
  17. BrandonTrotter
    Feb 13, 2015
    9
    Drake comes with this great flow through the album and what else can I say about the production it's something you would not expect from Drake great album and kept the features limited which was smart on Drake's behalf
  18. Neilluj
    Mar 13, 2015
    9
    Drake jeune prodige torontois fait paraitre If You're Reading This, It's Too Late. Ce mixtape est produit indépendamment. La sortie de cet album est directement liée au litige qui fait rage entre Drake et son label Cash Money Records (CMR) rendant, du fait même, le contexte de cette oeuvre particulièrement intéressant. Apparament, ce projet serait articulé autour du fait que DrakeDrake jeune prodige torontois fait paraitre If You're Reading This, It's Too Late. Ce mixtape est produit indépendamment. La sortie de cet album est directement liée au litige qui fait rage entre Drake et son label Cash Money Records (CMR) rendant, du fait même, le contexte de cette oeuvre particulièrement intéressant. Apparament, ce projet serait articulé autour du fait que Drake voudrait mettre un terme à sa collaboration avec son label ainsi que ses patrons incluant Brian ''Birdman'' Williams. La sortie surprise et l'absence totale de promotion seraient explicables de par le fait qu'il est frustré des manoeuvres de son actuel label. En effet, une importante lutte juridique prend place, en janvier dernier lorsque Lil Wayne accuse (pour 51 millions de dollars) ses producteurs de l'effacer, lui Drake et Niki Minaj, des revenus découlant des royautés. Par le fait même, CMR retient la sortie de l'album The Carter 5 de Wayne. Certaines sources du milieu affirment que le prochain album de Drake “Views From the 6” sera son dernier d'un contrat de 5 albums avec son employeur ce qui mettra un point définitif entre les deux parties.
    If Youre Reading This est donc empreint d'un réalisme désavoué face à l'industrie qui, soulignons-le, l'a mené au plus haute sphère du Hip-Hop. D'une part, la première moitié de l'album est caractérisé par des textes revendicateurs et songés sur la réalité qui frappe Drake - “Envelopes coming in the mail/Hoping for a check again/Ain’t no telling.” ou même - '' Igot lot of ennemies/ got a lot of poeple tryna drain me of my energie/They tryna take de wave from a **** En sommes, c'est comme si cette chicane offrait à Drake de un moyen de vraiment, librement, prendre le contrôle de son avenir et de son art en plus de remettre sérieusement en question l'industrie. Il met en évidence les tensions qui existent présentement dans le milieu.
    Sur la forme, la production est assez audacieuse. Drake pousse dans une direction qui ne lui ai pas familier faisant usage de beat hypnotisant, plus sombre, et définitivement à l'avant garde de ce qu'il n'a jamais fait. Il s'agit carrément d'un essai, d'une expérience. Comme s’il avait été délivrer d'une image qu'on lui avait collé à la peau dès son premier verset avec CMR. Rappelons que l'album est sous la supervision de Noah "40" Shebib. Sans surprise, le jeune homme issu de la ville reine offre quelques chansons plus axées vers le R'n'B du type PARTYNEXTDOOR avec qui il collabore sur une piste teintée de refrain sensuel, non pas sans rappeler ses anciennes productions. Le mix des genres créer un album d'une heure équilibré et franchement solide. C'est la fin de chapitre et le début d'un autre.    … Expand
  19. maxeome
    Feb 13, 2015
    9
    It's only a mixtape and it's the scary part about it . No Hip-Hop artist can say that they are superior from drake right now !! Kendrick Lamar is the rapper with the greatest delivery right now but Drake will stay the hottest.
  20. Kilovani
    Feb 14, 2015
    9
    Pros:
    This is one of Drake's best works to date. It honestly makes you think and proves his amazing lyrical skills and self-awareness, it proves there's more to him than the radio hits he puts out. This is actually my favorite Drake project since Take Care, and though its only been a day or two i can suffice this is his second greatest project if not number one. Though most of his fans do    Pros:
    This is one of Drake's best works to date. It honestly makes you think and proves his amazing lyrical skills and self-awareness, it proves there's more to him than the radio hits he puts out. This is actually my favorite Drake project since Take Care, and though its only been a day or two i can suffice this is his second greatest project if not number one. Though most of his fans do put So Far Gone as his greatest personally i enjoyed Take Care more. The music is incredible from production, to lyrics, and all in between. The flow switch and melodies are incredible and honestly Drake will have a hard time topping this with Views From the 6 if he's still planning to drop it.

    Cons:
    However nothing is without flaws so i have to point at a minor one at best. The only stump is upon initial hearing, the songs sound similar. They have a common ambiance about them that is similar, so some of you may be disgruntled by the first hearing. But i assure you after a second and third intake you'll really notice the difference. This is a work to be dissected with open ears and an open mind. I haven't yet found a favorite song only because their that good, not trying to sound cliche, there are maybe 4 tracks that aren't great but aren't poor either. Listen for words as they go a lot further in this mixtape than the average track. A solid 10 for me for sure. if anyone scores this lower than a 7 then their just a hater lol    … Expand
  21. TylerKennedy
    Feb 14, 2015
    9
    What can I say, everything Aubrey Drake Graham does is a success, a success everyone will buzz about for days, months even years. Love him or hate him, there's no way of escaping drake, he seems to be at every turn in the music industry. Even if this album, mixtape or project is just a half assed attempt to get out of his four album contract with Cash money, it's a half assed attempt thatWhat can I say, everything Aubrey Drake Graham does is a success, a success everyone will buzz about for days, months even years. Love him or hate him, there's no way of escaping drake, he seems to be at every turn in the music industry. Even if this album, mixtape or project is just a half assed attempt to get out of his four album contract with Cash money, it's a half assed attempt that managed to be pure fire, and this is the reason why he's one of the biggest emcees in the game right now, and some scary competition for other rappers. Lyrics on this project, although differ from his more recent albums, are incredible, production as always handled by the likes of Noah 40 and Boi 1da is fire. The only downside to this album may have been the features, though drake did make a good decision in keeping them limited. Overall, this is another album/mixtape that is fire all over, a seemingly recurring convention with drake. Makes me proud to rep the 6ix… Expand
  22. Rnprozac
    Feb 16, 2015
    9
    So glad I started watching despite thinking I'd hate.
    Such a fantastic show. Great cast/writers/cinema photography!
    Hope it's on for many more seasons
  23. restful
    Feb 17, 2015
    9
    This is an incredible album that gets better the more you listen to it. Almost every song on this album is well produced and a great artistic achievement. Highlights are, "You & The 6", "Know Yourself", "Preach" ft PartyNextDoor....actually too many to list.
  24. cameronhisey
    Oct 1, 2015
    9
    This mixtape was very good. I enjoyed the majority of the songs. My favorite songs on this were "Wednesday Night Interlude," and "Company." My least favorite songs were "Madonna," "You & the 6," and "6PM in New York." It kind of puzzles me why so many songs have to do with the number 6, but the mixtape was very good overall.
  25. lisiak
    Jan 6, 2016
    9
    In my opinion absolutely amazing album. Every track is great. This is how music should made in XXI century! :) Best trakcs: 6god, 6man, Legend, Ain't no telling', 10bands, Know Yourself, Star67, Used to
  26. Connorcox1997
    Mar 17, 2019
    9
    Back in 2015 Drake Surprise fan by releasing a mixtape outta nowhere called If your Reading This It's Too Late. And this mixtape is pretty good. The production on this mixtape has a darker tone than his previous projects, but I thought it was dope. I love all the songs on the mixtape. Drake's mixtape may have been the most surprising project to date and its defiantly worth a listen. 9/10
  27. TeakBridge6671
    Jun 17, 2022
    9
    This is objectively one of Drake's best projects, and I can immediate see why many people, especially Drake fans consider this his best body of work
    Legend, Energy, 10 Bands, 6 God, You & the 6 and Company feat. Travis Scott being some of my favorite tracks on this mixtape
    The only reasons why I wouldn't immediately rank it higher or consider this to be Drake's best project or my    This is objectively one of Drake's best projects, and I can immediate see why many people, especially Drake fans consider this his best body of work
    Legend, Energy, 10 Bands, 6 God, You & the 6 and Company feat. Travis Scott being some of my favorite tracks on this mixtape
    The only reasons why I wouldn't immediately rank it higher or consider this to be Drake's best project or my favorite project by him is due to the Ghostwriting situation with Meek Mill and Quentin Miller making me question some lyrics on many of these tracks, and there is a middle section is this mixtape that somewhat drags-Almost to it's detriment, but to say that it ruins the experience is an understatement, it is way better than most of the stuff Drake has put out after this and I do not care what anyone says to that    … Expand
  28. someonewhocares
    Jul 6, 2022
    9
    Drake's best mixtape yet. All the songs have catchy beats, memorable hooks, and perfect songwriting. It was hard not to love more than one song off of this mixtape.

    Best Tracks: Energy, Madonna, No Tellin', 6PM IN New York.

    Worst Tracks: You & The 6
  29. Spangle
    Mar 17, 2015
    8
    A surprise project that has been called an album, an EP, and a mixtape, by various parties, Drizzy Season is here regardless. You can certainly tells at times that this one is a project full of loosies, but if that is the case, then my God is Views From the 6 going to be good. These songs didn’t make the cut and, aside from “10 Bands” and “Madonna” they are all good songs. How is thisA surprise project that has been called an album, an EP, and a mixtape, by various parties, Drizzy Season is here regardless. You can certainly tells at times that this one is a project full of loosies, but if that is the case, then my God is Views From the 6 going to be good. These songs didn’t make the cut and, aside from “10 Bands” and “Madonna” they are all good songs. How is this possible? The select few features here are good, as PARTYNEXTDOOR, Travi$ Scott, and Gabriel Garzon Montano, do their thing. The beats are great, especially those made by 40 and Boi-1da. Those two really delivered here. As for Drake, his flow, delivery, lyrics, singing, and rapping, were all very strong. He is in very good form on this project and this one certainly satisfies my hunger for some new Drake until the album drops. The tracks “Jungle”, “6PM in New York”, “6 God”, “6 Man”, and “Legend”, are the ones that stood out to me the most here as the strongest tracks with the first two there being absolutely perfect Drake songs. It is hard to ask for much more from the man. I do wish the title was better though, may I propose “Birdman and Tyga’s Funeral” for an alternative title?… Expand
  30. ben_zo77
    Feb 21, 2015
    8
    If You're Reading This It's Too Late is astonishingly raw with far-above-average beats (much credit to Boi-1da) that match perfectly with Drake's flow. This mixtape isn't quite the overall project that Take Care was, but in a sense it's better. It's pure, unadulterated Drake. THIS is Drake music. I feel like Drake kept his best material for his studio album being released later this yearIf You're Reading This It's Too Late is astonishingly raw with far-above-average beats (much credit to Boi-1da) that match perfectly with Drake's flow. This mixtape isn't quite the overall project that Take Care was, but in a sense it's better. It's pure, unadulterated Drake. THIS is Drake music. I feel like Drake kept his best material for his studio album being released later this year which is, surprisingly, a compliment for this project because of how high-quality and elite this mixtape is. Unlike some other reviewers, I also loved the features. There's not many, but the few that there are deliver. PARTYNEXTDOOR delivers great production and solid vocals in a couple songs, including the dark, dreamy "Wednesday Night Interlude". Lil Wayne and Travi$ Scott are solid. Views From The 6 is going to be something legendary. ~ 8.0/10 ~ with bonus track: 8.1/10
    Best tracks: "Energy", "6 Man", "Jungle", the bonus track "6PM In New York" & the incredible "You & The 6"    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2015
51
#51 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. The Wire
    May 15, 2015
    70
    His music has an airless, contrived and over-polished quality. However, the production style developed by his team of collaborators is glacially impressive, if gloomy. [Apr 2015, p.66]
  2. Q Magazine
    Apr 13, 2015
    80
    This enthralling, enigmatic statement conjures a mood that's all its own. [May 2015, p.108]
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 18, 2015
    70
    It makes for an album that's hard to love right away, but if you stick with it, is a rewarding listen.
    Read full review
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