So Far Gone

Lore & Background

The narrative of So Far Gone stems from a specific moment of reflection Drake shared in an interview with Complex. It began after a brazen and disrespectful discussion about women with his close friend, Oliver. Immediately following the call, Oliver texted him: 'Are we becoming the men that our mothers divorced?' This question sparked the project's core theme: the struggle between being good guys and getting 'so far gone' in the pursuit of love and money. The title reflects this feeling of distancing oneself from past behaviors one is not proud of, elevating above the 'bullshit.' Drake describes it as a feeling where you are distanced in a good way, having moved past old habits while carrying the conscience that Oliver's text highlighted.

In Their Own Story

The musical direction was shaped heavily by atmospheric keyboards, minor keys, and sparse beats, with production handled primarily by Noah '40' Shebib and Boi-1da. Their contributions were particularly praised for creating a sound influenced by *808s & Heartbreak*. The lyrics typically address relationships with women, gaining fame, and past struggles, often using metaphors like 'Houstatlantavegas' or 'November 18th.' Upbeat tracks introduced themes of braggadocio, ego, and wealth. Guest appearances included Omarion, Lloyd, Lykke Li, Lil Wayne, and Bun B. The mixtape was promoted with a release party in Toronto featuring Drake and LeBron James, solidifying the hype before its commercial reissue.

Reader's Guide

The project's lead singles were 'Best I Ever Had' and 'Successful.' Released as a digital download on February 13, 2009, 'Best I Ever Had' later became an official single on June 16, 2009, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. It topped both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Songs charts, earning a 2× platinum certification for over 2 million sales. 'Successful' peaked at number 17 on the Hot 100 and reached the Top 5 on genre-specific charts, achieving gold status. In September, the project was re-released as an EP containing five original tracks plus two exclusives: 'I'm Goin' In' and 'Fear.' This version debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 in February 2019 with 45,000 equivalent album units.

Did You Know?

• The title 'So Far Gone' originated from a text message Drake received from his friend Oliver asking if they were becoming the men their mothers divorced.
• It remains Drake's final independent project before signing with major labels.
• On February 15, 2019, the mixtape was released on commercial streaming services for the first time to mark its tenth anniversary.
• The bonus track 'Congratulations' appears on both the 2019 streaming release and the physical album version.
• 'Best I Ever Had' peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Drake's first number one hit on both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Songs charts.