Nothing Was the Same (2013) - Drake

Nothing Was the Same is Drake’s third studio album, released on September 24, 2013. This album marked a significant evolution in his sound, blending atmospheric production with introspective lyricism and confident braggadocio. Produced primarily by longtime collaborator Noah "40" Shebib, Nothing Was the Same leans heavily into moody, spacious beats and a refined mix of rap and R&B. Lyrically, it delves into themes of success, relationships, and the loneliness that comes with fame.

Tracklist:

1. Tuscan Leather
2. Furthest Thing
3. Started From the Bottom
4. Wu-Tang Forever
5. Own It
6. Worst Behavior
7. From Time (feat. Jhené Aiko)
8. Hold On, We’re Going Home (feat. Majid Jordan)
9. Connect
10. The Language
11. 305 to My City (feat. Detail)
12. Too Much (feat. Sampha)
13. Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2 (feat. JAY-Z)

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:
14. Come Thru
15. All Me (feat. Big Sean & 2 Chainz)

Drake kicks off the album with Tuscan Leather, a bold, six-minute opener where he raps over a looped Whitney Houston sample, shifting beats multiple times to flex his lyrical dominance. Furthest Thing follows, offering a mix of introspection and boastful confidence, a duality that defines much of the album.

Started From the Bottom became one of Drake’s biggest anthems, a minimalist, piano-driven track that emphasizes his rise in the rap game. Wu-Tang Forever slows things down with its moody, atmospheric vibe, borrowing its title from the legendary rap group but focusing on Drake’s usual themes of love and nostalgia.

The album finds its emotional core in From Time, a reflective conversation on love and personal growth featuring a stunning vocal performance from Jhené Aiko. Similarly, Too Much stands out for its raw honesty, as Drake raps about family struggles over Sampha’s haunting piano melody.

On the more commercial side, Hold On, We’re Going Home is an outlier in Drake’s discography, a smooth, synth-heavy love song that leans fully into 80s-inspired R&B. The Language and Worst Behavior bring aggressive energy, showcasing his rap prowess, while Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2 closes the standard edition with an elegant, sample-heavy beat featuring JAY-Z.

Nothing Was the Same is one of Drake’s most cohesive albums. It’s less scattered than Take Care, yet still emotionally rich. Tuscan Leather is a masterpiece of production and lyrical dexterity, setting the tone for an album that confidently balances vulnerability with bravado. Too Much and From Time are standout moments of introspection, while Started From the Bottom and Worst Behavior exude the kind of swagger that made Drake an undeniable force in hip-hop.

Compared to his later projects, Nothing Was the Same feels like the perfect middle ground—still introspective, but more refined and self-assured. It’s an album that marked the moment Drake solidified his place at the top, and a decade later, it still holds up as one of his best.