Take Care by Drake was not a mainstream album by any means. While my full thoughts on the album can be viewed in my review, as of recent, the song I find myself revisiting the most was one I barely commented on my review. The song in question is “Cameras”

Now everybody knows Drake, but the key behind the artists success to me is his engineer/producer/best friend Noah “40″ Shebib. This is the guy that is responsible for the distinct sound that has become synonymous with Drake’s production. On Take Care 40 seemed to find inspiration in 90′s era R&B. With tracks like “Shot For Me” utilizing a haunting sample from SWV and “Look What You’ve Done” ripping a piano session from the late Static Major’s group Playa, 40 found a niche in the soulful past of the R&B genre. On “Cameras” 40 samples “Calling On You” from late 90′s R&B singer Jon B.

Cameras picks up with a slightly sped up version of the intro from “Calling On You.” The smooth and purposefully off melody fits well with the screwed minimalistic production from 40.  Jon B’s vocals “Calling on, calling you” echo in the background as a foul bass sets up Drake’s vocals. With a hypnotic monotone rasp, Drake pleads his case to a unknown female who apparently has seen his promo shots with different women and has become suspicious.

“She look like a star,

But  only on camera, only on camera, only on camera.

Look like we in love,

But only on camera, only on camera, only on camera.”

Nicki Minaj much?

Anyways, Jon B’s vocals return during the chorus:

“Oh I finally got you right here. Tonight I’ll ease your mind. That’s why I’m calling on you.”

As you can see what was once meant as something to be said by a man to a woman  he’s calling to “handle his business” for the night, now stands for Drake continuous attempts to quell his woman’s suspicions about his celebrity lifestyle. The song ends in an extended instrumental with some choice Jon B ad libs before leading into another song “Good Ones.”

“Cameras” is one of Take Care’s stand out tracks which I personally felt should have gotten more spotlight. At the end of the day though, I can’t really be upset considering I didn’t even give it a good look in my review. Hopefully with this Sample Spotlight, people will take a closer look at Take Care.