#TBT: Drake Mixtape Cuts

Before Drake hit the big time, he was another rapper putting out mixtapes trying to get his music out there to the world. (Well, and a Canadian TV star, but that's kind of another story.)

Drake released three mixtapes before getting mainstream recognition: Room for Improvement, Comeback Season and So Far Gone. The latter of which launched him in to the eyes of the world with the "Best I Ever Had" single. We all remember that one taking over airwaves and party playlists, right?

On Thursday's, we always like to throw it back to some old music, whether it's from the early 1990s or just 5-10 years ago. Today we're taking a look at Drakes mixtape releases from 2006, 2007, and 2009. He had a plethora of good, great, and not so hot output on those, but we'll be sure to focus on the great stuff!

This might be the first time Drake dropped the city Houston's name on a track. You can tell he wasn't quite as comfortable with his flow back in these days, but this Room for Improvement track has Mr. OVO claiming Toronto is his all the way back in 2006

Back when Lupe Fiasco was the only rapper jocking skateboarding, he released "Kick, Push." Drake took the beat and dropped some knowledge on it, and he's pretty nice over the brass-infused beat.

Sadly we don't have a whole lot of material where Drake is rhyming over J Dilla, especially because this one is so awesome. "Where To Now" sees Drake a little more comfortable with his flow, and he's talkin' a lot about the ladies on this short and sweet Comeback Season cut.

Remember when Drake was closer to Trey Songz than any other rapper or singer? Those were the days. The two definitely cut their fair share of awesome tracks, including "Give Ya." 

Drake over 9th Wonder production was suppose to go down on Take Care, but apparently never happened due to A&R issues. We did see Drizzy over 9th's silky, soulful beat on "Think Good Thoughts," so we suppose this will have to do for now.

This beat definitely predicted some hip hop trends that would happen in the coming years. It also features a hilariously baby-faced Drake in action! Don't let it take away from the song though, because this is a nice rap/R&B crossover joint. 

Now we've made it to the So Far Gone days. Drake is starting to become a household name due to his ability to rap and sing so well and effortlessly blend the two. Love him or hate him, the guy has such a nice voice. Noah '40' Shebib's ambient production helped a lot too, and the dude definitely did his thing on this one 

We almost omitted this one because it's just TOO obvious, but it's also just TOO damn good. Throw it back to '09 and bump it one time for the throwback Thursday.

It's crazy looking back at this critically. Would Yung Lean exist? What about A$AP Rocky? Or even Purity Ring for that matter? It seems like 40's airy style of producing really helped to influence the hip hop world, but also the indie and electronic worlds as well.

So the previous three cuts were either more geared towards R&B or radio play, but this one is straight bars. Perhaps Drake's finest set of bars on the mixtape, "Say What's Real" saw him making his case as an actual MC. Going in on a Kanye beat is a good head start, but the dude really did his thing on this one. Follow along...

"Why do I feel so alone?
Like everybody passing through the studio
Is in character as if we acting out a movie role
Talking bullshit as if it was for you to know
And I don't have the heart to give these
Bitch niggas the cue to go
So they stick around kicking out feedback
And I entertain it as if I need that
I had a talk with my uncle and he agreed that
My privacy about the only thing I need back but
It's hard to think of them polite flows
When Stefano Pilati suits are your night clothes
And Jordan sweat suits are your flight clothes
And you still make it even when they say your flight closed
Eyes hurting from the camera phone light shows
Life was so full
Now this shit just being lipo'd
Always said I'd say it all on the right track
But in this game you only lose when you fight back
Black diamond bracelets
Showing you the basics
I can't live and hold the camera
Someone gotta tape this
And make hits like a bitch that's married
I ain't miss
24 hours from greatness
I'm that close
Don't ever forget the moment
You began to doubt
Transitioning from fitting in to standing out
Los Angeles Cabanas or Atlanta South
Watchin' Hov's show
Embarrassed to pull my camera out
And my mother embarrassed
To pull my Phantom out
So I park about five houses down
She say I shouldn't have it until I have the crown
But I don't wanna feel the need to wear disguises around
So she wonder where my mind is, accounts in the minus
But yet I'm rolling round the fuckin' city like your highness
Got niggas reactin' without a sinus
Cause what I'm working with is timeless
And promoters try to get me out to they club
They say I have fun but I can't imagine how
Cause I just seen my ex-girl
Standing with my next girl
Standing with the girl that I'm fuckin' right now
And shit could get weird unless they all down
And so I stay clear
We from a small town
Everybody talks and everybody listen
But somehow the truth just always comes up missing
I've always been something that these labels can't buy
Especially if they tryin' to take a piece of my soul
And Sylvia be tellin' Tez "Damn, Drake fly"
And he just be like "Silly motherfucker, I know
That was your bad
How could you pass up on 'em?
He just take them records
And he gas up on 'em
Wayne will prolly put a million cash up on 'em
Surprised no one ever put your ass up on 'em"
Oh they did Poe
At least they tried to
And that's what happens
When you spitting what's inside you
But slip up and shoot the wrong fucking video
And they think they can market you
However they decide to nahh
But 40 told me to do me
And don't listen to anybody that knew me
Cause to have known me would
Mean that there's a new me
And if you think I changed in the slightest
Could've fooled me
Boy in my city I'm da 2-3
Drug dealers live vicariously through me
I quit school and it's not because I'm lazy
I'm just not the social type
And campus life is crazy understand
I could get money with my eyes closed
Lost some of my hottest verses down in Cabo
So if you find a Blackberry with the side scroll
Sell that mothafucka to any rapper that I know
Cause they need it much more than I ever will
I got new shit
I'm gettin' better still
Little niggas put my name in they verses
Cause they girlfriend put my ass on a pedestal
Future said cause this 'Ye shit you better kill
And I think this got this "Making of a Legend" feel
Problem with these other niggas they
Ain't never real
Yea ... that's all I can say"

Drizzy wears his Texan influence on his sleeve with this one and invites Bun B and Weezy to come along. RIP DJ Screw. 

Drake did his thing on Lykke Li's bouncy pop electronica song, and made it even better than the original. Peep it below!