Anticipation. Haters. Expectations.Icon.Over-rated. A Gemic. A Genius. Who knew a five letter, one syllable name can create such a debate by simply being brought into conversation. Drake.

The 23 year old Toranto native is single handedly changing the direction of main stream hip-hop. Making it acceptable and sellable to rap about love and fears, while intertwining melodies to make radio friendly hits. But this is far from the only thing different about this half Jewish, half African-american entertainer. In fact, it’s only the beginning.

Prior to Drakes June 15^th release of his debut album “Thank Me Later” he had already been Signed to Yung Money (Lil’Waynes record label), Nominated for two Grammy’s, and gone on a world tour. You would think this alone would get people to admit his potential greatness but for every fan he gains there seems to be double the haters. “Everything people say about Drake shows me that all you have to do is be loved for people to hate you.” Rapper Talib Kwali said via twitter. Most believe the disapproval of Drake from naysayers stems from his lack of experience in the game. “I don’t like giving someone credit when they haven’t showed me anything. People were acting like Drake was as huge an artist as Jay-z before his album even dropped!” says Kyle Brown, a vocal Hip-Hop fan who doesn’t care for the rapper. Brown also adds, “And he sucks as a live performer.” These viewpoints seem to be a general consensus among fellow peers who disapprove of Drake. “To be considered one of the Best you have to have every element, yes Drake can fill up an entire arena, but he can’t put on a show.” Although there are a number of valid points made about Drakes lack of stage presence and Experience there seem to be more positives to him as an artist than negatives.

Drake is emotionally connected and speaks of heart-break, the need to be successful, and how important it is for him to stay humble during it all. He switches from crooning about finding love, to celebrating with the people that helped him get where is, and promising never to forget them. Then he will go and appear on a Hip-Hop icon’s track and spits a verse with lyrics that almost sound like a cockier alter-ego of himself. What other rapper can do that? That is only the musical aspect. “ Drake has versatility and the determination to be better. He’s never satisfied by being so loved by the public and making millions. It’s about a legacy and history for him.” Up-and-coming rapper Khid P said passionately. When asked about the Drake haters he spoke with that same passion “Honestly it’s bull sh** to me! Saying he’s the best is surely premature but it’s not farfetched. People are often scared of the things that are unfamiliar in places they think they know well- his music is not for everyone.”

His debut album was not So Far Gone from the mixtape that first got everyone’s attention. It was a more mastered and updated version of the type of music he’d been making. Fans didn’t seem to be disappointed. The internet began flooding with personal opinions about the CD and quotes from it were seen everywhere. Others who were unsure about the rapper before the album dropped had a few concerns. “I must admit I like the album, I never said he couldn’t rap, but I don’t think there should have been so many features.” Brown pointed out. Eight artists total appeared with a verse or a hook here and there on consecutive tracks. This however didn’t take away from the album or Drake having the spotlight, but the question was why? How come he didn’t become lost among voices that we’ve already been paying attention to? What made us as consumers want to listen to what he had to say?

A week after Drakes album dropped. MTV showed a documentary, Drake: Better than Good Enough, that allowed you to see the artist in an even more personal light. The documentary followed him during the period right before the album released, while he was on tour, and in the studio. He spoke candidly and during a interview within an empty arena about his fears, dealing with the pressure that his name is beginning to bring, his hungriness to do better, and knowing that at any moment, the fame he recently acquired could still be taken away. All things he spoke about on his album. All things mentioned in his music.

People aren’t intrigued with Drake because of his flashiness or his punch lines. They don’t love him for a good club banger or a song referring to sexual innuendo. The reason people are so intrigued with Drake and so respecting of him is the fact that his music is him. Its simplicity is what makes it complex, just like us as human beings can sometimes be. The songs put together with his amazing story telling mechanisms are the memoirs of his life, real events and people. “I want them to know that I’m serious about what I’m saying, My verses mean a lot to me, they’re not just some sh** I’m rapping, I’m dead a** serious about all the sh** I’m saying.” It’s as if the more and more you listen to his music the better you get to know him and understand him.

Among the rappers we’ve already noticed Drake reveals himself with complete openness which causes us to pay attention almost as if the honesty is unexpected from a rapper. This is the same reason he doesn’t become lost during the features on his album he’s telling us things we haven’t heard before and in a way the average person wouldn’t be able to. His album debuted at number one on the Billboard Charts and sold almost half-a-million in the first week. All in all despite the questions Drake’s future is promising. This is something his haters and fans can agree on. “I think he’ll be a seasoned vet in charge of everything that moves in Hip-Hop. I really believe he has “IT” Jay-z says it, Wayne says it, and everybody knows it. The only thing he lacks is experience.” Khid P says matter-of-factly. Time will only tell. Until then questions will continue to rise about Drake but no matter what your opinion on him he said it best himself. “Call me over-rated, or created or too jaded, because anyway you put it. B**** I made it.”

Visit http://www.youtube.com/v/SBzU8g0JsLk&hl=en_US&fs=1& to see a clip from Drake's documentary. VISIT MTV.COM TO SEE THE REST OF THIS DOCUMENTARY