Her Loss

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Lore & Background

The duo's history of collaboration dates back to 2016 with "Sneakin'", followed by tracks like "Issa" (2017), "Mr. Right Now" (2020), and "Knife Talk" (2021). The album's announcement came on October 22, 2022, when the "Jimmy Cooks" video text revealed "Her Loss – album by Drake and 21 Savage – October 28, 2022." Marketing was defined by spoofing industry norms: street teams distributed fake Vogue covers featuring edited photos of Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lawrence with 21 Savage's face tattoos, alongside fake Cartier ads and a deepfake interview on The Howard Stern Show. This campaign led to a lawsuit from Condé Nast over unauthorized trademark use, though the artists settled. The cover art features a three-year-old photograph of adult dancer Quiana "Qui" Yasuka (Suki Baby), discovered by producer Lil Yachty.

In Their Own Story

On October 19, Drake appeared as a surprise guest at one of 21 Savage's concerts in Atlanta. Two days later, he announced the album video would drop on 21 Savage's 30th birthday. The visual revealed the initial release date before it was pushed back to November 4 due to producer 40's illness. The tracklist was unveiled on November 3. Upon release, the album received mixed reviews; critics praised its fan service and fan engagement but criticized certain lyrics for controversy. At Metacritic, it scored a normalized 62 based on 12 reviews. Singles included "Rich Flex" (released November 11), "Circo Loco" (sent to Italian radio November 11), and "Spin Bout U" (US rhythmic radio February 24, 2023). The album topped the Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 66th Grammy Awards.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note that while the rollout included a spoofed Tiny Desk Concert and live performances on Saturday Night Live (featuring Michael B. Jordan) and ColorsxStudios, some tracks sparked significant debate. On "Circo Loco," lyrics about women lying about shots were interpreted as referencing Megan Thee Stallion's 2020 shooting allegations; producer Lil Yachty denied the reference, while Stallion responded on Twitter condemning the joke. Drake also referenced Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian on "Middle of the Ocean" and was interpreted to be dissing DRAM and Ice Spice on "BackOutsideBoyz." Despite the mixed critical reception, with Pitchfork calling parts of it "inert" and Rolling Stone labeling it a "singular misfire," others like Exclaim! hailed it as Drake's best record of the decade. The project remains a polarizing but commercially dominant entry in both artists' discographies.

Did You Know?

• The album was originally scheduled for release on October 28, 2022, but delayed to November 4 due to producer 40 contracting COVID-19.
• Lil Yachty discovered the three-year-old photograph of Quiana "Qui" Yasuka used for the cover art and proposed it as the final image.
• Drake and 21 Savage spoofed a Vogue cover with edited photos, leading to a lawsuit by Condé Nast that was eventually settled.
• The album features only one guest appearance: Travis Scott.
• Her Loss is the third and final part of a trilogy following Certified Lover Boy (2021) and Honestly, Nevermind (2022).