Drake Says ‘Take Care’ Follow-Up Will Be More Upbeat

For most people, Drake‘s ‘Take Care’ album was a somber listen about the downsides of fame. In particular, songs like ‘Marvin’s Room’ and the title track were heartbreaking odes about love. In an interview with Billboard, Drizzy says he plans to make the music for his follow-up more upbeat and less moody.

“A lot of ‘Take Care,’ it’s down,” he says of the album’s sound. “I think a lot of it had to do with being back in Toronto, getting reacquainted with the life I had before (fame) and difficulties with that, and at the same time trying to express excitement, express joy.”

Since the success of ‘Take Care,’ Drake has embraced his celebrity status and is now comfortable in his own skin. “Now I’m in a very, very, very, very different place than I’ve ever been, really focused on myself, really focused on my health, my body, my mind, really wanting to be the best I can possibly be,” he says. “I’m in a different mindset now that I’m very proud of.”

“It’s going to be a very interesting album,” he continues. “Probably, to be honest with you, conceptually one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on, just ’cause there’s so many new things going on in my life.”

One of the things Drake has going on in his life is planning his next round of live gigs. The Young Money superstar is prepping for his second run of his Club Paradise tour next month — the 27-city trek starts May 7 in Concord, Calif., and finishes June 17 in Boston. Joining him on this excursion are rappers J. Cole, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame and French Montana.

Drake says he handpicked the opening acts because he recently recorded songs with all of them. “I know a lot of these guys very well; not only am I a fan of their music, but I have very strong alliances with these guys,” he tells MTV. “I guess it’s safe to say now that anybody I didn’t have a song with before I have a song with now. I made sure of that. I want to go out on the tour with the most exciting artists right now and I want to make sure I have songs [with] all of them.”

Drake teases that he could possibly perform with all five MCs onstage during the tour. “If we start getting really into and start vibing, maybe the last few nights it’s a collaboration show,” he says. “Maybe we do all our songs on the stage together, making exciting moments for people that are not just about seeing all of us individually.”

Watch Drake Talk About His Club Paradise Tourmates