In the days of calm before the storm that will be Drake’s Views from the 6, I think it is a fitting time to revisit Drizzy’s seemingly forgotten first album, Thank Me Later.

TML is often left out of the conversation when talking about The 6 God and his accomplishments, antics, and emotions. Half the time, I feel that people don’t even remember it exists…

But how could we forget the album that brought us early Young Money collabs like “Miss Me” and “Up All Night”? Or that gave us the feel-good anthem “Fancy”, which is still acceptable in many settings and party-like atmospheres? We definitely shouldn’t forget that my mans Kanye produced the only track worthy of spins at a family barbecue (“Show Me A Good Time”) and the hottest single from the album, “Find Your Love”.

The tracklist is stacked with features, too – Jay Z, peak Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, and even Aaliyah via sample. It’s also full of quotes that I still see accompanying Instagram pictures like “I live for the nights that I can’t remember // with the people that I won’t forget” or “I swear it feels like the last few nights we’ve been everywhere and back, but // I just can’t remember it all”.

How is it that, despite these things, few people talk or care about the rookie album from one of the BIGGEST stars in the game right now?

To keep it “eight more than 92” with ya, I think the quick and simple answer is that Drake generally makes mediocre music that isn’t exactly timeless, which is cool. He makes music for the moment. And his timing is incredible. I don’t think there is any other artist better suited for the here-today-gone-tomorrow-Snapchat era than Aubrey Drake Graham.

We’re talking about a man who survived the infamous Blackberry freestyle blunders coupled with the rapid rise of social media/meme culture, persevered, and is now thriving like never before. That is something that could break a person, but no. Not Drake. He was built for this Internet generation.

He has perfected the hit formula and continues to prove it by providing jams and anthems for the clubs as well as future millennial Tinder weddings. Even though we may not recall, Mr. Graham was displaying this genius back in 2010 with “Fancy”, “Find Your Love”, “Miss Me”, etc. 

Thank Me Later may not have had a lasting impression, but Drake’s influence and stardom will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come. 

So… is now the time to thank Drake? That’s for you to decide.

For now, here’s the sorta awkward music video for “Over”, including a cameo from the then relatively unknown Rita Ora, for nostalgia’s sake.

And “Find your Love”.