The New York Times Places Drake in Hip Hop Elite

Young Money recording artist Drake. Photo: Alex Hoerner

via nyt

Drakes debut album finally comes out next week so it only seems right that he make the final rounds of press interviews, concert appearances and hype that disc as much as he can.

Anticipation as well as speculation has been high about how well his album will perform in its first week and afterwards. Wayne's in jail, T.I.'s out, Nicki Minaj is on deck and Drake is up at the plate waiting to take his turn to hit a home run for Young Money - it's a different world from a year ago.

Coming off of a series of well received performances and New York's Hot 97 Summer Jam in New Jersey's Meadowlands and article in the New York Times means Drake is being introduced to the pop world.

Clearly there is effort to cross him over and if it works, he's going to have one hell of a summer.

Read his introduction to the rest of the world...good read