It feels like forever since the last time Drake dropped a full-length project but, without much notice, the King of Toronto came through unannounced with a surprise mixtape called the Dark Lane Demo Tapes. 

On Thursday (April 30), it was rumored that Drake would be releasing something at the end of the day and those rumblings came true when Dark Lane Demo Tapes hit the internet. As expected, the new collection features a flurry of songs that the fans had been asking for, including his “Demons” collaboration with Fivio Foreign and Sosa Geek, his “Pain 1993” track with Playboi Carti, and an official release of “Desires” with Future. Elsewhere on the 14-track display, there are songs that nobody even knew about.

Another new collaboration with Chris Brown, titled “Not You Too,” is threatening to become another sleeper hit after the success of “No Guidance” last year. In addition to that, a fresh link-up between Drake, Future, and Young Thug called “D4L” took the world by storm.

There is definitely a lot to unpack with this mixtape, but Drake is already looking toward his future. The superstar recording artist announced that his next album will be released in the summer, teasing a new track with Roddy Ricch shortly after the arrival of the Dark Lane Demo Tapes.

Have a listen to the new project below and let us know what you think.

The rumors are true. There have been murmurs that Drake was planning on releasing a mixtape tonight, and Champagne Papi surfaced on Instagram to confirm the news. The Toronto icon has been teasing fans with bits about his forthcoming album that’s slated for release this year. While we await his next project, fans haven’t been without new music from OVO Sound’s head honcho. He’s collaborated with a bevy of artists and shared a few unreleased tunes on SoundCloud.

John Phillips / Stringer / Getty Images

Answering the call of his admirers who want to hear more from the rapper, Drake shared moments ago that he is, indeed, releasing a record this evening titled Dark Lane Demo Tapes. Additionally, he let the world know when they can expect his sixth studio album. “My brothers @oliverelkhatib @ovonoel put together alot of the songs people have been asking for (some leaks and some joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes) DARK LANE DEMO TAPES out everywhere at midnight,” the rapper wrote. “Also my 6th STUDIO ALBUM DROPPING SUMMER 2020!!! Lucky number 6 ? soon fwd.”

Drake shared the tracklisting, so we’ve included that below, as well (order is subject to change):

1. Deep Pockets
2. When To Say When
3. Chicago Freestyle ft. Giveon
4. Not You Too ft. Chris Brown
5. Toosie Slide
6. Desires ft. Future
6. Time Flies
7. Landed
8. D4L Freestyle ft. Future & Young Thug
9. Pain 1993 ft. Playboi Carti
10. Losses
11. From Florida With Love
12. Demons ft. Fivio Foreign and Sosa Geek
13. War

While many of us were in a deep state of slumber, Drake was hammering away at some hits in the lab, deciding to break out of his shell and preview a ton of previously-unreleased songs on Instagram Live.

The rapper rarely ever lets fans into his world before the album is ready to drop, but these are uncertain times and Drake felt a sudden urge to unlock all these vibes early, allowing his most loyal (and awake) fans to reap the benefits.

One of the most exciting songs played during the live-stream, which was shared by OVO Mark, was the long-anticipated collaboration from Drake and Playboi Carti called "Pain 1993." As pointed out by Complex, the record is expected to be included on the upcoming album by Playboi Carti, titled Whole Lotta Red. 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Another track that turned heads was a collaboration between Drake, Fivio Foreign, and Sosa Geek. 

Among the other chunes played during the display are a joint from the 6ix God and Popcaan, and other solo joints that we've heard rumblings of over the years. 

We also got news that "Not Around," one of the songs that recently surfaced online, will actually be on Drake's new album in a different form. The version that people have heard is not complete. 

Who's ready for new music from The Boy?

The hip-hop superpower that is the Drake co-sign has been covered at length. Every so often the 6ix God will bless an up-and-coming artist with a verse, absorb some of their sonic instincts into spongelike memory, and send them off into the world with a pat on the head. While some beneficiaries like Lil Baby took the momentum and ran, others, like Blocboy JB weren’t able to capitalize so efficiently. Now, with Drake putting in work on his first album of the new decade, all signs indicate that he’ll be sitting comfortably in his drill bag for the duration.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Following the arrival of street single “War,” Drake appears to have linked up with Sosa Geek and Fivio Foreign for a new banger. Sosa previewed Drizzy’s verse on his IG (as captured by HHNM), with one bearing witness to the session declaring it to be “a movie.” Over a hard-hitting instrumental, Drake fires off lines like “that’s how man get blem” and “all my g’s are blessed, we checking for them.” 

True, these days Drake’s verses can feel like a recitation of a high-school graduating yearbook shoutout, lined with inside jokes and monikers. But that doesn’t mean he’s not operating at an elite level, sliding over beats with an icy swagger. For those eager to hear Drizzy on some pure rap shit on this go-around, consider this a positive sign.