BoomBox's Interview With Drake On His Upcoming Album Thank Me Later And His $2 Million Record Deal

These days you can’t escape Drake. About the only thing to slow down the omnipresent chick-friendly rhymer is a torn ACL. But that won’t stop him from appearing on the opening date of the America’s Most Wanted tour with Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, and Soulja Boy, which kicks off today in Scranton, Pa.

The BoomBox caught up with the ‘So Far Gone’ artist to discuss his upcoming trek, dealing with the opposite sex in the face of stardom, and why he wants Kanye West to be a featured producer on his upcoming studio debut album’ Thank Me Later.’

The BoomBox: You are still relatively young in your career, yet you have done some pretty high profile performances. What has your preparation been like for the upcoming America’s Most Wanted Music Festival tour with Lil Wayne?

Drake: It’s been crazy. But I’ve gone out with Wayne before. It’s always an experience.

The BoomBox: Was there ever a moment when it became surreal for you in terms of the mammoth size of the crowds during shows?

Drake: There were some defining crowd moments in my career. That first night of the I Am Music tour was just overwhelming. There were 13,000 people in the audience and I had never done anything like that in my life. The other moment was the Hot 97 show in New York. I didn’t know what was going on. I just knew Jeezy had hit me up and was like, ‘Man, I want you to come out.’ I saw Jeezy backstage and then I saw Jay-Z. And Jay was like, ‘I come out right after you.’

It was so funny because we were supposed to have this moment where it was me, Jeezy and Jay-Z onstage. But I got so nervous. I had a moment where I thought ‘Am I really large enough to be standing on stage with Jeezy and Jay?’ [Laughs] I just walked off stage after my performance. I’m like, “Man, I’m wearing Air Yeezy’s and like a pink sweater and shit and these niggas got on all black and are about to perform the Death of Auto-tune (’D.O.A.’). That was a pretty funny moment.

The BoomBox: There were well over 50,000 people there. That had to be an overwhelming image, right?

Drake: To be honest, there were so many flashes and such a vast amount of people that I can honestly say I blacked out. I just remember my heart never beating that hard. I felt like it was going to stop.

The Boombox: Much of the buzz around your mixtape ‘So Far Gone’ has been the mix of hip-hop with R&B. When did you decide to take that chance musically?

Drake: About 10 shows into the tour Wayne asked me to start singing ‘Mrs. Officer’ because Bobby Valentino wasn’t coming on tour. So that was nerve-wracking also because he’d heard me sing and I really didn’t think I was going to be an R&B singer singing onstage. But it was one of those moments like, ‘Wow, this man just asked you to step up. Are you going to say no?’ I started singing and it brought a whole new element into my career. That’s why I was able to do ‘So Far Gone’ … why I was able to do R&B songs and rap songs without people looking at me like a cornball. I found a way to really balance it out. When I rap, I rap with a melodic tone. But this album will primarily be a hip-hop album.

The BoomBox: There was a lot of talk about the unprecedented recording deal you signed with Young Money/Universal Republic. Beyond the $2 million advance, as a new artist you retain your publishing rights and masters to your songs and only cede 25 percent of your music sales revenues to the label. What kind of say did you have in the negotiation of that deal?

Drake: I didn’t really care about the advance money. That’s what’s cool to the public because they think, ‘Oh, shit, he has $2 million dollars.’ But your advance could be a million dollars and you may never make money after that because you got fucked so badly on the back end. But my biggest thing is having creative control. I don’t want anyone telling me, “Oh, you can’t put this single out or you can’t shoot the video until this day. That’s why I signed with my managers Hip Hop Since 1978. I didn’t really care what they give me up front. My biggest thing was owning my music. I just wanted all my masters and I wanted , as a country, as my own territory. Instead of signing to a label what I’m trying to do is sign to a phone company.

The BoomBox: What are you trying to do? Destroy the record companies?

Drake: [Laughs] I’m just trying to do something that has never really been done. I want to distribute my album over cell phones so everybody on the network will get a text the day my album comes out. In everybody belongs to one phone company. Really, what I would love to do is sell a million records out here because that has never been done. Platinum in is 100, 000 records. So if I could sell a million records, which I think it’s possible, to go 10 times platinum in would be crazy.

The BoomBox: I did an interview with Lil Wayne a few months ago and he said that the only person he was worried about in the rap game this year has been you. And he said that’s precisely why he made sure that you were on his team. What do you make of a statement like that?

Drake: It’s an honor for Wayne to say something like that. Someone would really have to come to the studio to see me and Wayne together and how we work to understand what he’s really talking about. It’s the same sort of thing. I fear Wayne’s creativity. It’s endless. It’s a scary beast. He never takes one day off. When we get into the studio it is very competitive, but in a good way. You can’t just use a line you wrote Tuesday. Every line has to be thought out.

The BoomBox: A running theme throughout ‘So Far Gone’ has been the dramatic way the music business has affected your relationship with women. Has that changed even more since your fame?

Drake: It’s definitely made it harder for me. At this point in my life I don’t know what I want from a woman. I think a lot of the women from my past that cared about me kind of feel like they can’t deal with me anymore even if I don’t make them feel that way. They feel that I’m out of reach. I did a song last night which I’m looking to place on my album called ‘Darling Baby.’ I know a lot of dudes when they rap they say things that everybody expects them to say. I’m honest with myself. There’s a certain confidence that comes with vulnerability. In the song me and Wayne go back and forth about being in love. About us finding a woman who we are confident in. I wonder if women ever know that we think about these things?

The BoomBox: Before we get into your solo project, could you talk about how the Young Money album has been going?

Drake: I just got back from Atlanta last night. I did three songs for the Young Money album and I’m very excited about it. The next single is stupid. And then there’s another song I did with Wayne and Nicki Minaj that’s incredible. We don’t have a name for it yet, but it’s dope.

The BoomBox: How far along are you in recording your new album ‘Thank Me Later’?

Drake: I’m about two songs in. I really haven’t even started. The tour is really throwing me off, so I probably won’t start really working on it until September. It will probably come out Valentines’ Day next year.

The BoomBox: Are you sticking with the same musical concepts as ‘So Far Gone’?

Drake: I love ‘So Far Gone.’ I’m very proud of it as a project. So I don’t want to stray away from that method of creativity, but I’ve sat with ‘So Far Gone.’ I pulled the parts that worked because there were parts that didn’t work. People may have appreciated it, but it didn’t go as recognized as other things. I also started listening to other artists’ albums and plucking pieces that I like from there to put together a masterpiece. I want my album to make you feel the same way Kanye’s, Jay-Z’s and Wayne’s albums make you feel. This will not be a 10 to 13-song album. I plan to put 17 songs on there. I have a lot of genres of music to cover. As far as production, 40 (who engineered and produced many of the tracks on ‘So Far Gone’) will be on it. Obviously Boy Wonder, who did ‘Best I Ever Had’ and ‘Uptown.’ I’m also looking forward to Kanye taking charge of the project.

The Boombox: That’s pretty ambitious, huh?

Drake: Well, I want him to do what Kanye does best. Go to Hawaii and stay cooped up in that studio. I want him to have a strong presence on the record. I’ve done some work with Pharrell and me and Swizz Beatz are doing some work. I’m also looking forward to Timbaland. I hear that he has really reinvented himself. So really, it’s just what works.

America’s Most Wanted Tour: Backstage Interviews and Performance Of "Best I Ever Had"

Above is Karen Civil's interview with Drake, T-Streets, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Shanell and Mack Maine backstage, after that you get to see Drake’s and Lil Wayne’s performance of “Best I Ever Had”.

Happy Birthday Mack Maine And Live Miami Performance

Check out the video above of Mack Maine performing “Every Girl” live in Miami. Young Money’s Tyga and Gudda Gudda were also on stage with him and the lovely, sexy Tammy Torres who was looking stunning in the vid! Also, today is Mack Maine’s birthday, so Happy Birthday from everyone at YoungMoneyHipHop!

Lil' Wayne's B.I.G. Tribute On First Night Of Tour

Lil' Wayne performs "Get Money" live in Scranton, Pennsylvania as a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. This song is very good and I thought Lil' Wayne did a very good job in his performance.

Lil Wayne And Young Jeezy Kick Off America's Most Wanted Tour With A Bang

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania — No lie, no exaggeration. The music at the Young Money Presents: The America's Most Wanted Music Festival launch at the Toyota Pavilion Monday night was so well-received, a fan in a wheelchair jumped up to rock to the music.

After love daddies Jeremih and Pleasure P played up the sexiness of their music to start the show, Soulja Boy Tell'em injected door-to-door energy during his set. With a flurry of mixtape jams and album cuts such as "Gucci Bandanna," the teen sensation shook the outdoor venue. "Crank That" came on, and the man in the wheelchair sitting about 10 rows back stood up and sang along. Soulja's DJ switched the very familiar instrumental track to a rock-and-roll beat.

"Kiss Me Through the Phone" was next, and the ladies in the crowd were more than adequate substitutes for the absent vocals of Sammie. "Kiss me through the phone!" they sang along.

Soulja Boy's coup de grace, however, was one of the biggest rap jams of the last year, "Turn My Swag On." During the song, instead of jumping around and getting crunk, Soulja started throwing $100 bills in the crowd. As the fans sang, "Hopped up out the bed, turned my swag on," the Gucci-clad rapper came to the very front of each side of the stage, started rolling the crisp bills into little balls and acted as if he were shooting NBA free throws as he tossed greenbacks to fans.

Young Jeezy admirably kept up the enthusiasm during his set. The crowd embraced banger after banger, standing on their feet and cheering.

"Bottom of the Map," "Who Dat," "My Hood," all came in succession, causing most of the kids to jump up and down. The guy in the wheelchair once again stood up, this time waving a towel that read "Thug Motivation 103."" (Jeezy's street team was on its A game, passing out towels and stickers promoting Young's upcoming LP.)

"Put On" was huge, with Jeezy introducing his band and back-up singer when Kanye West's verse played. West wasn't there in the flesh, although his girlfriend, Amber Rose, was backstage, walking around and holding hands with Young Money clique member Nicki Minaj.

Jeezy's set continued with a section of his guest appearances, such as "Love in This Club," "I Luv Your Girl" and the "Dey Know" remix.

Young was hoping to rock the house with "My President" toward the end (Scranton is the hometown of Vice President Joe Biden) of his set, but he got carried away and went over his time limit. So, instead of building up to a grand finale, "My President" became travelling music for Young and his band to exit the stage.

"I had two more records I was gonna kill them with," Jeezy said on his tour bus later. Expect better time management as the tour progresses.

Next up was headliner Lil' Wayne . For the past couple of years, Weezy has had that can-do-no-wrong aura, and while Jeezy and Soulja had the spectators on their feet, when Wayne came out, everyone stood on their chairs — and in some cases, on their armrests — to get the best possible view. From their perches, the fans cheered all night for modern classics such "A Milli" and "Got Money."

Pictures of T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West and Wayne himself came on a huge screen that hung above the stage before "Swagga Like Us," while a photo of Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice briefly showed during "Mr. Carter." "Flyer than 'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,' " he rapped.

The rapper, wearing army-fatigue shorts, later warned the fans he was getting ready to play his favorite song, then "Best Rapper Alive" came on. A montage of pictures of all his album and singles played on the screen. Minutes later, a man brought a guitar out to Wayne, and his band (live instrumentation has been a Weezy show staple the past year or so) began to play "Walk This Way."

The opening guitar riffs alone for "Prom Queen" garnered tremendous cheers. Young Money singer Shanell (D. Woods' sister) came out and crooned the hook while Wayne's dancers waved pompoms.

Weezy's pa, the Birdman, came out for "We Takin' Over," "Run This City" and the street hit "Always Strapped."

Weezy then announced he was going into the Young Money section of the show and started off with his franchise artist. Drake, whose planned 30-minute set had to be drastically cut down because he's still recovering from a torn ACL, entered the stage via a platform that was lowered from high above and began with "Successful."

"I go by the name of Drake," he told the euphoric crowd, declaring that Young Money was "the realest team in the game." Drake then told the fans he wanted to do something for the women, "Best I Ever Had" followed.

"You the fuckin' best," he and Wayne yelled, pointing to various women in the audience.

After Drake, Wayne introduced more from his artist roster, including Tyga, Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee, Gutta Gutta, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and Nicky Minaj.

Weezy ended the show with his whole family onstage for "Every Girl," as the audience sang along.

After the show, Wayne talked about how he's noticed his fanbase growing and evolving.

"That hit me last tour," he said, explaining how the fans that come to his concerts now are different from when he was a teenager on Cash Money records. "The last tour, when I was doing a song like 'Bling Bling' ... they would know what I'm talking about, but they don't [now]. Then I would say something like 'Lollipop,' and they'd know exactly what I'm talking about. It's like, 'Wow, I have a new wave of fans.' It's amazing."

America's Most Wanted Tour Rehearal Footage

SCRANTON -- Lil Wayne wasn't scheduled to go onstage during the dress rehearsal Sunday night at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain, 24 hours before the launch of Young Money Presents: The America's Most Wanted Music Festival.

Weezy F. Baby was simply supposed to sit and watch his band and dancers go through the set. So, when the practice run of his set began, Wayne and his Young Money family were watching from about 12 rows back.

As "A Milli" played, the smoke and explosions were right on point. "They say I'm rappin' like Big, Jay and Tupac," his recorded voice repeated a few times, with blast of smoke coming from the floor each time he said the line.

But finally, Wayne, wearing a white T-shirt, black-and-red basketball shorts and black-and-red Jordans, got up out of his seat and hit the stage to finish the song.

"Got Money" followed, with Young Money member Mack Maine coming out. All indications are that Wayne's show is going to be another big production -- dancers, band, special effects and an intricate stage set that includes a few big screens.

Weezy strolled around the stage with confidence and ease, drinking a bottle of water as the music for "Mr. Carter" kicked in. By this time, Young Money family member Nicki Minaj had made her way to the box seats and watched while another of Wayne's crew, newcomer Lil Twist rolled around the audience area on a Segway scooter.

Wayne's energy level went up a couple of notches when the music for "Go DJ" came on, and the Louisiana Fireman told imaginary spectators to put their hands in the air. Finally, when Wayne's spinner put on the music for Notorious B.I.G.'s "Get Money," Wayne informed him that was the wrong record.

"Uh, uh! Uh, UH!" Wayne said in his mic. He told the DJ to play one of is signature theme songs, "Fireman." This transitioned to "Money on My Mind" which led into Big and Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s "Get Money." Wayne actually started rhyming Biggie's legendary lyrics: "You wanna sip Mo' on my living room flo'," before switching up the words some.

"Mack, why she wanna stick me for my paper?" he rapped looking directly at Mack Maine, who made it back to the audience seats to watch Wayne alongside an assortment of the crew, including Lil Chuckee.

"No 'Show Me What You Got,' '' Wayne informed his band, as he looked down at a set list and made instant edits to his program. "I do not know that sh--."

After a few more records, which included a tribute to a genre defining hip-hop classic, Drake came in and shook hands and got hugs from the crew sitting in the audience chairs.

"Oh, that's new," he said, looking at the list on the ground for the next record. "You just threw that in. But that's OK, c'mon." The band began playing a beat, but Wayne was obviously not into the doing the record.

"I don't know a word of this sh--," he kept repeating in a sing-songy flow. Then he just started freestyling in the same delivery. "I just wanna f--- you, baby/ I can't believe it ... / I just wanna f--- you, baby."

Eventually, Drake made it to the stage. Fans will be happy to hear that Drake's torn ACL seems to be healing nicely, and the blue-chip performer will be on the tour. He made a decision 48 hours ago to go on the tour despite the fact that he's still recovering from the injury. Drake did tell MTV News that because of his ailment, he won't be able to have his own 30-minute set, but his presence will be made on the tour nonetheless.

After "Best I Ever Had," Wayne came out and announced, "Make some noise for the hottest mutha----a on the planet!" The music for "Successful" came on, and Weezy informed everybody, "By the way, I do not know my verse. I do not know my verse."

Wayne said he may know the words by show time tomorrow and would let everyone know if he did. After the set, the whole crew shared smiles as Wayne went onto his tour bus very calmly and quickly.

"The thing about Wayne is that he's just as at ease during rehearsal as he is during the real show," Drake said later.

On Monday night (July 27), the real thing happens, so keep checking back here the Young Money Hip-Hop Blog for all the latest show and rehearsal footage!

Tyga-The Potential Mixtape Download

This is a hot mixtape from Tyga of Young Money. The songz are hot and they make me wish his studio album would drop right now! Check it!

Track Listing:

1. The Potential
2. Awsome
3. Stop Accussing
4. Where Am I
5. Diddy Bop
6. Tyzilla
7. How Would You Like
8. Dads Letter
9. Every Girl
10. Slow It Down
11. Cut My Check
12. My Glory
13. RIP Dolla
14. All Love
15. BET Freestyle (Bonus)

Download: Tyga-The Potential Mixtape

America's Most Wanted Tour Starts Today!

The America's Most Wanted Tour with Lil' Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy, and Soulja Boy kicks off today in Scranton, Pennsylvania! This tour is gonna be awesome! Appearances from other Young Money members include: Lil' Twist, Lil' Chuckee, Shanell, and more! The tour dates are below:

July 27, 2009 Scranton, Pennsylvania | Toyota Pavilion
July 29, 2009 Saratoga Springs, New York | Performing Arts Center
July 30, 2009 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Post Gazette Pavilion
July 31, 2009 Camden, New Jersey | Susquehanna Bank Center
August 1, 2009 Wantage, New York | Jones Beach Theater
August 2, 2009 Virginia Beach, Virginia | Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 4, 2009 Toronto, Ontario | Molson Amphitheater
August 5, 2009 Montreal, Quebec | Bell Centre
August 6, 2009 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio | Blossom Music Center
August 7, 2009 Bristow, Virginia | Nissan Pavilion
August 8, 2009 Raleigh, North Carolina | Walnut Creek Amphitheater
August 9, 2009 Atlanta, Georgia | Lakewood Amphitheater
August 12, 2009 Phoenix, Arizona | Cricket Wireless Pavilion
August 13, 2009 Universal City, California | Gibson Amphitheatre
August 14, 2009 Anaheim, California | Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 15, 2009 Concord, California | Sleep Train Pavilion
August 17, 2009 Vancouver, British Columbia | GM Place
August 18, 2009 Edmonton, Alberta | Rexall Place
August 20, 2009 Englewood, Colorado | Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 21, 2009 Tulsa, Oklahoma | BOK Center
August 22, 2009 Woodlands, Texas | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 23, 2009 Dallas, Texas | Superpages.com Center
August 27, 2009 Darien Lake, New York | Darien Lake PAC
August 28, 2009 Indianapolis, Indiana | Verizon Wireless Music Center
August 29, 2009 Chicago, Illinois | First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
August 30, 2009 Detroit, Michigan | DTE Energy Music Theatre
September 1, 2009 St. Paul, Minnesota | Xcel Center
September 4, 2009 Charlotte, North California | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Young Money All-Stars 2 Mixtape Download

I know this mixtape is a few weeks old, but its my first mixtape post, and it was one of the best I could of posted.
Enjoy!

Track Listing:

1. Lil Wayne– Sacrifice (Feat. T-Streets, Gudda Gudda, Shannell)
2. Drake – The Winner
3. Lil Wayne– I’m A Go Getta
4. Lil Wayne – Baseball Sex (Feat. Mack Maine)
5. Jae Millz – My Reality (Feat. Gudda Gudda, T-Streets)
6. Tyga – Slow It Down
7. Lil Twist – Let’s Chill (Feat. Mack Maine, Lil Wayne)
8. Tyga – Lay You Down (Feat. Lil Wayne)
9. Jae Millz – B-Day Head
10. Gudda Gudda – Jiggle Box (Feat. Essay Potna)
11. Drake – Juice
12. Lil Wayne – I Told Ya
13. Lil Twist – 52 Bars (Feat. Dream Team, White Tee)
14. Jae Millz – Defeat Is Not An Option
15. Mack Maine – All In One Swipe (Feat. Rick Ross)
16. Lil Twist – The Leak (Feat. Lil Wayne)
17. Drake – I’m Going In (Feat. Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy)
18. Jae Millz – I Feel Me (Prod. By Lil Twist)
19. Nicki Minaj – Chocolate (Feat. Eric Bene)

Download: Young Money All-Stars 2

YoungMoneyHipHop.blogspot.com Is Officially Up and Running!

After a being a fan of Young Money Entertainment and all of it's members for so long, I have decided to create a website for it, or blog anyway. Stay tuned for the hottest news, mixtapes, videos, pics, lyrics, and more from within Young Money Entertainment. Bookmark this page!