Overview
For All the Dogs is the eighth studio album by Canadian rapper and singer Drake. It was released through OVO Sound and Republic Records on October 6, 2023. The album features guest appearances from Teezo Touchdown, 21 Savage, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PartyNextDoor, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red, and Lil Yachty. Production was handled by Drake, Teezo Touchdown, and Lil Yachty themselves, along with 40, Sango, Oz, Bnyx, Southside, Boi-1da, Vinylz, Tay Keith, FnZ, Jahaan Sweet, the late DJ Screw, Stwo, Gordo, and Justin Raisen, among others. The album was supported by three singles, "Slime You Out", "8AM in Charlotte", and "Rich Baby Daddy". It follows both of Drake's albums that were released in 2022: his seventh studio album, Honestly, Nevermind, and his collaborative studio album with 21 Savage titled Her Loss. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, For all the Dogs performed well commercially, debuting at number one on the Canadian Albums and US Billboard 200 charts, among other countries.
Background and promotion
On January 21, 2023, during his free concert at the Apollo Theater, Drake teased the release of an album, saying he wanted to "strike up more emotions, maybe this year". He also responded to the negative reception of his previous few albums, stating: "I've thought about a bunch of things in life, but at this moment in time none of those things are stopping making music for [the fans]".
On June 23, Drake announced that his poetry book titled Titles Ruin Everything, which was co-written with songwriter Kenza Samir and previously teased in summer 2022, would be released on July 14. One day later, full advertisements on the front-page of the New York Post contained an incorporated QR code. Upon scanning, the QR code redirected to a landing page with a picture of two puppies above a statement: "I made an album to go with the book... They say they miss the old Drake, girl don't tempt me. For all the dogs". Its title was soon officially confirmed by OVO and Republic.
During his performance in Detroit on July 9 for the It's All a Blur Tour, his co-headlining tour with 21 Savage, Drake announced that Nicki Minaj would appear on the album, which however did not happen for unknown reasons. He also announced Bad Bunny would appear on the album during his performance in Los Angeles on August 13, who is featured on the song "Gently". Eight days later, Drake revealed the album artwork, drawn by his son, Adonis Graham.
From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).