For All The Dogs?

It comes with no surprise that Drake has, yet again, delayed the release of his album “For All The Dogs,” this being the third time. But fans often remain only temporarily upset, only to forgive their favorite artist the following day, as they excitedly anticipate the next projected release date. For example, Travis Scott tempted his fans with the release of his album “Utopia,” which just released this summer, as far back as 2020, creating hype through an Instagram post from July 8, 2020. This recurring scenario thus raises an important question: is a fanbase’s frustration at the incessant delay of an artist’s album valid, or should fans be willing to wait until the album is ready?

To me, the answer is clear. It is the artists’ job to be transparent with their fan base, instead of leaving fans confused, disappointed, and irritated. Understandably, artists such as Drake and Travis Scott are simply trying to make as much money for themselves, their producers, and their team as possible. Intentionally delaying an album’s release is, actually, a genius marketing tactic. Angry fans flood social media to express their disapproval in any way they can. Thus, other media outlets are able to profit off the delay and influence more listeners to get excited about the album. Following through with this cycle of announcement, hype, and delay significantly helps the album grow in popularity. By continuing to create hype, artists are able to regain their previously disappointed fans' approval until they either release the album or delay it again: everything is intentional.

Recently, Drake released his latest single “Slime You Out,” a teaser track for his upcoming album which he used as compensation to fans for delaying the album. As evidence of all the publicity Drake has incited, “Slime You Out” debuted at number one on the “Billboard Hot 100,” demonstrating the effectiveness of Drake’s genius marketing strategies.

Other artists have proven that these schemes are not necessary for gaining high revenue. For example, Zach Bryan, who has stuck to his announced release date, dropped his self-titled album “Zach Bryan” on August 25, 2023; his project was an instant success, with over 223 million streams and all 16 songs landing a spot in the top 50 on the “Billboard Hot 100,” thus proving that an artist does not have to delay an already-finished album to become successful.

I think that it ultimately comes down to an artist's character. It seems that what differentiates a quality artist from a pedestrian musician is if they create for the genuine joy of music, or for the money. Zach Bryan establishes his character as a genuine person who is in the music industry to express himself. In contrast, it seems to me that Drake and Travis Scott appear shallower––more in it for the money and clout.

Throughout the process of hype and disappointment, fans, including myself, are left in utter disbelief. One fan wrote in the comments of a RAP Instagram post, “September ruined,” another one exclaiming that “Drake just ruined my life.” Drake even silenced fans’ opinions on social media, removing the ability for fans to comment on his Instagram posts to avoid hateful feedback. I believe that it is an integral part of an artist’s job to release their music at their own announced date; and if that means an artist holds off on an announcement for a few years, so be it. They have complete jurisdiction over when they inform the public. But as soon as they create that spark, letting it die and relight, over and over, is unfair to fans. At the end of the day, the fans are the ones who help give an artist wealth and popularity. It is only fair that an artist holds the utmost respect for their fans.

Jack Francini