Thank Me Later

Released in February 2009, Drake's mixtape So Far Gone proceeded his series of early mixtapes and achieved unexpected critical and commercial success, earning him two Grammy Award-nominations and producing the hit single "Best I Ever Had". The single reappeared on his debut EP,Reid, Shaheem. Rodriguez, Jayson. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641551/20100614/drake.jhtml Drake's Thank Me Later Among Our Top Five Most-Anticipated Rap Debuts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618022607/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641551/20100614/drake.jhtml |date=June 18, 2010 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 15, 2010. which was released after a bidding competition among labels and his signing with Universal Motown Records amid support from high-profile hip hop artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne.Kellman, Andy. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p905792/biography|pure_url=yes}} Biography: Drake]. AllMusic. Retrieved June 20, 2010. Drake followed-up on So Far Gone{{'}}s success with several guest appearances on other rappers' works, adding to the hype surrounding him at the time.

In an interview for Complex, Drake stated that his debut album will be "a solid hip hop album" and musically distinct from his So Far Gone mixtape, which received negative comparisons to Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak (2008).{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Marcus|title=Drake Talks Young Money, Kanye Comparisons, & Ghostwriting|url=http://www.complex.com/blogs/2009/02/19/drake-talks-young-money-kanye-comparisons-ghostwriting/|work=Complex|date=February 19, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228121810/http://www.complex.com/blogs/2009/02/19/drake-talks-young-money-kanye-comparisons-ghostwriting/|archive-date=December 28, 2010|url-status=live}} He expressed a desire to work with André 3000, Kid Cudi, and Sade for the album.[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630942/20100201/drake.jhtml Drake, Eminem "Talking About" Another Collaboration.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204085238/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630942/20100201/drake.jhtml |date=February 4, 2010 }} MTV. Retrieved November 10, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.sohh.com/2009/11/drake_names_his_thank_me_later_top_3_wis.html|title=Drake Eyes Big Features For "Thank Me Later" LP, "I Really Wanna Get Andre 3000"|last=Langhorne|first=Cyrus|date=November 17, 2009|work=SOHH|access-date=December 6, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212172620/http://www.sohh.com/2009/11/drake_names_his_thank_me_later_top_3_wis.html|archive-date=December 12, 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610794/20090506/drake2.jhtml|title=Drake Reveals Collaborations With Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Trey Songz|last1=Reid|first1=Shaheem|last2=Rodriguez|first2=Jayson|date=May 7, 2009|publisher=MTV|access-date=June 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510101725/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610794/20090506/drake2.jhtml|archive-date=May 10, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613246/20090603/drake2.jhtml|title=Drake Hopes To Have Kanye West, Lil Wayne, The Neptunes, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z On Debut LP|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=June 4, 2009|access-date=June 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606124602/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613246/20090603/drake2.jhtml|archive-date=June 6, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/17/drake-reveals-wish-list-of-collaborators/|title=Drake Reveals Wish List of Collaborators|date=November 17, 2009|work=Rap-Up|access-date=November 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121200244/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/17/drake-reveals-wish-list-of-collaborators/|archive-date=November 21, 2009|url-status=live}} In an interview for MTV, Drake cited Nas and André 3000 as influences for parts of Thank Me Later, stating "Nas was somebody that I used to listen to his raps and never understood how he did it. I always wanted to understand how he painted those pictures and his bar structure. I went back and really studied Nas and André 3000 and then came back with this album". In comparing the album to his previous work, he stated "It's gonna be bigger, it's gonna sound happier. More victorious, 'cause that's where I'm at in my life".Rodriguez, Jayson. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632396/20100222/drake.jhtml Drake Says Thank Me Later Influenced By Nas, Andre 3000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226123838/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632396/20100222/drake.jhtml |date=February 26, 2010 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 20, 2010. He told Entertainment Weekly that, "I didn't make this album for commercial purposes. A lot of the verses are extremely long. I just made it to share with people. I hope they can enjoy".

File:Studiob.jpg at Cherry Beach Sound (control room pictured).]]

Drake resumed work on the album in October 2009, following an onstage injury from a July 2009 concert.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267123/drake-confirms-the-dream-collaboration-back-to-recording-after-knee-surgery|title=Drake Confirms The-Dream Collaboration, Back To Recording After Knee Surgery|last=Graff|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=November 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720235332/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267123/drake-confirms-the-dream-collaboration-back-to-recording-after-knee-surgery|archive-date=July 20, 2013|url-status=live}} Recording sessions for the album took place at several recording studios, including Metalworks Studios, BLD&DSTRY, and Cherry Beach Studios in Toronto, NightBird Recording Studios in West Hollywood, Gee Jam Studios in Portland, Jamaica, The Setai Hotel Recording Studio and The Hit Factory in Miami, Blast Off Studios and Rock the Mic in New York, Glenwood Studios in Los Angeles, Triangle Sounds Studios in Atlanta, Takeover Studios in Houston, and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu. The track "Up All Night" was recorded on a bus "somewhere in Lexington", and "Unforgettable" was recorded on a bus "somewhere in New Orleans". The album was mixed at Tree Sound Studios, Blast Off Studios, Gee Jam Studios, Cherry Beach Studios, The Setai Hotel Recording Studio, Metalworks Studios, Stadium Red in New York, and Studio 306 in Toronto. Lil Wayne, Cortez Bryant, Gee Roberson, Ronald "Slim" Williams, Oliver El-Khatib, Noah "40" Shebib, Derrick "E.I." Lawrence, Jas Prince, and Bryan "Birdman" Williams served as executive producers for the album.[http://rapradar.com/2010/06/10/drakes-thank-me-later-thank-yous/ Drake's Thank Me Later Thank You's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614045817/http://rapradar.com/2010/06/10/drakes-thank-me-later-thank-yous/ |date=June 14, 2010 }}. RapRadar. Retrieved June 12, 2010.

Producers 40 and Boi-1da handled most of the tracks' programming and instrumentation. Besides his Toronto-based producer team, Drake also collaborated with European producer Crada, who previously worked on Kid Cudi's 2009 debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/crada-mn0001076085|title=Crada – Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717204128/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/crada-mn0001076085|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=live}} Drake told Entertainment Weekly that he collaborated with an indie pop band named Francis and the Lights.[http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/15/5-things-you-should-know-about-drakes-album-thank-me-later/ 5 Things You Should Know About Drake's Album 'Thank Me Later'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518170820/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/15/5-things-you-should-know-about-drakes-album-thank-me-later/ |date=May 18, 2010 }}. Rap-Up. Retrieved June 17, 2010. Kevin Rudolf also participated in the album's recording,MikeyFresh. [http://www.vibe.com/posts/short-convo-kevin-rudolf A Short Convo With... Kevin Rudolf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427102253/http://www.vibe.com/posts/short-convo-kevin-rudolf |date=April 27, 2010 }}. Vibe. Retrieved June 12, 2010. contributing with keyboards on "Show Me a Good Time" and "Find Your Love". R&B singer Mary J. Blige contributed additional vocals to the track "Fancy". In March 2010, Drake confirmed that he had recorded a track with Eminem and Dr. Dre.[http://www.rapbasement.com/drake/031210-universal-records-previews-drakes-thank-me-later-album-showing-collab-with-dr-dre-and-eminem.html Drake Grabs Eminem & Dr Dre For Debut Album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401204620/http://www.rapbasement.com/drake/031210-universal-records-previews-drakes-thank-me-later-album-showing-collab-with-dr-dre-and-eminem.html |date=April 1, 2010 }}. Rap Basement. Retrieved June 20, 2010. In early November 2009, Lil Wayne released an official statement explaining that Thank Me Later had been completed, though Drake later commented that he was still working on the album.{{cite web|author=Jason|title=Lil Wayne Say's Drake's New Album Is Done|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/drake/110809-lil-wayne-says-that-drakes-thank-me-later-debut-album-is-basically-finished-and-ready-to-go.html|work=Rap Basement|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128044512/http://www.rapbasement.com/drake/110809-lil-wayne-says-that-drakes-thank-me-later-debut-album-is-basically-finished-and-ready-to-go.html|archive-date=November 28, 2009|url-status=live}} On April 26, 2010, Drake announced to a crowd during a show that he had finished recording and had turned in a final copy of the album.[http://www.theboombox.com/2010/04/28/drake-finishes-thank-me-later-reveals-next-single/ Drake Finishes "Thank Me Later," Reveals Next Single] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430172449/http://www.theboombox.com/2010/04/28/drake-finishes-thank-me-later-reveals-next-single/ |date=April 30, 2010 }}. The Boombox. Retrieved June 20, 2010.

{{Quote box

|quote = In a genre that demands boldness and bravado, Drake turns his first full-length release into an inward-looking, slow-moving, psychedelic psychodrama ... it plays like an off-kilter dream by a reluctant rap star.

|source = – Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune

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Thank Me Later has a languorous, ambient production and is characterized by subtle arrangements, obscured keyboards, skittering snare drums,{{cite news|last=Fennessey|first=Sean|date=June 15, 2010|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-06-15/music/drake-fumbles-toward-superstardom/|title=Drake Fumbles Toward Superstardom|newspaper=The Village Voice|location=New York|access-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110213057/http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-06-15/music/drake-fumbles-toward-superstardom/|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=live}} and reverbed percussion.{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/drake-thank-me-later-aspirecash-moneyyoung-money|title=Drake, "Thank Me Later" (Aspire/Cash Money/Young Money)|first=Ben|last=Detrick|work=Spin|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617060335/http://www.spin.com/reviews/drake-thank-me-later-aspirecash-moneyyoung-money|archive-date=June 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} Lyrically, Thank Me Later has moody, introspective subject matter, and mainly centers around Drake's introduction to fame and his romances. The Toronto Star describes the content as "about the sorts of doubts, excesses, betrayals and creeping paranoid suspicions that arrive hand-in-hand with celebrity". Music journalist Greg Kot describes the album as "personal and eccentric, the journal of a flawed, self-doubting regular guy rather than a strutting icon-in-waiting".

The album's first-half generally discusses fame directly with confessional songs about unrequited love, money, and women, followed by club-oriented and sexual songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/06/drake-thank-me-later.html|title=Drake: Thank Me Later|work=Paste|access-date=June 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618021049/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/06/drake-thank-me-later.html|archive-date=June 18, 2010|url-status=live}} Drake's lyrics explore feelings of doubt, insecurity, and heartbreak, while exhibiting both emotional and grammatical malapropisms. He raps in a nasal voice and sings subtly, with a flow generally in A-B-AB form. Music journalist Jody Rosen observes "emotionally transparent" rapping that eschews the "thuggy" style previously popular in hip hop, finding Drake's style to be "subtle and rueful rather than loud and lively".

Music writers liken Thank Me Later to Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak. Nathan Rabin writes that, "musically, Drake favors warm washes of synthesizers that create a melancholy, fragile mood redolent of 808s & Heartbreak." Comparisons are also drawn to Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid Cudi, a protégé of West.{{cite news|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2010/06/album-review-drake-thank-me-later.html|title=Album review: Drake, 'Thank Me Later'|first=Greg|last=Kot|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621032129/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2010/06/album-review-drake-thank-me-later.html|archive-date=June 21, 2010|url-status=live}} By contrast, Joshua Ostroff of The Globe and Mail feels that Thank Me Later{{'}}s "emotional navel-gazing lacks West's often-suffocating self-pity and offers a proper synthesis of rap and R&B."{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/all-hail-the-melancholy-prince-of-hip-hop/article4322054/|title=All hail the melancholy prince of hip hop|first=Joshua|last=Ostroff|access-date=June 23, 2010|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Canada|date=June 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022011301/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/all-hail-the-melancholy-prince-of-hip-hop/article4322054/|archive-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=live}} Jeff Weiss of the Los Angeles Times views that the album ignores West's celebratory side "in search of anthems for the easily alienated".{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-drakes-thank-me-later.html|title=Album review: Drake's 'Thank Me Later'|access-date=June 24, 2010|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618131602/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-drakes-thank-me-later.html|archive-date=June 18, 2010|url-status=live}}

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|description = The guilt-ridden song exemplifies the album's "conflation of the glam-ridden and the everyday".{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/drake-thank-me-later/2156|title=Drake: Thank Me Later|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=Slant Magazine|date=June 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617150335/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/drake-thank-me-later/2156|archive-date=June 17, 2010|url-status=live}}

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}}

"Fireworks" references the divorce of Drake's parents and alludes to his brief fling with Rihanna.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=83350&asid=35d96e5b|title=Drake, Thank Me Later Gets an XL|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=XXl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626041505/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=83350|archive-date=June 26, 2010|url-status=dead}} "Karaoke" features background keyboards that add to the song's 1980s musical influence, with lyrics about the difficulty of relationships. In "The Resistance", Drake worries about fame changing him, with lyrics veering from his ailing grandmother to a one-night stand that resulted in an abortion. "Over" incorporates an orchestral backdrop, and according to Michael Cragg of MusicOMH, contains three hooks.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/drake_0610.htm|title=Drake – Thank Me Later|first=Michael|last=Cragg|access-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629191630/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/drake_0610.htm|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=live}} The artful song is about the elation and confusion that accompanies fame.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/rapp_rb/2010-06-11-drake11_VA2_N.htm|title=Drake's "Thank Me Later" is a welcome debut|first=Elysa|last=Gardner|date=June 10, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613150803/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/rapp_rb/2010-06-11-drake11_VA2_N.htm|archive-date=June 13, 2010|url-status=live}} "Show Me a Good Time" opens and closes with a squeaky yelling sound. On the song, Drake talks addresses hip hop listeners who find him inauthentic. "Up All Night" has menacing strings,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/14/AR2010061405330.html?hpid=sec-artsliving|title=Record review: Drake's 'Thank Me Later'|date=June 15, 2010|access-date=June 23, 2010|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Chris|last=Richards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110192932/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/14/AR2010061405330.html?hpid=sec-artsliving|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=live}} and Drake boastfully rapping about his nightlife, while trading lines with Nicki Minaj. The club song "Fancy" has a predominant hook, looped samples, and backwards strings. It is an ode to women who spend hours primping in preparation for the nightlife. The song features vocals by producer Swizz Beatz and T.I., with additional harmonies by Mary J. Blige at the song's conclusion. "Shut It Down" is a progressive soul song,{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/music/the-50-best-sex-songs?package_page=51293|title=The 50 best sex songs|website=Time Out London|access-date=January 23, 2021|date=January 28, 2015|archive-date=November 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124024914/http://www.timeout.com/london/music/the-50-best-sex-songs?package_page=51293|url-status=live}} in the manner of a piano ballad and slow jam.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/recordings/article/823501--drake-shoulders-the-weight-of-great-expectations|title=Drake shoulders the weight of great expectations|first=Ben|last=Rayner|date=June 14, 2010|access-date=June 23, 2010|work=Toronto Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618064620/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/recordings/article/823501--drake-shoulders-the-weight-of-great-expectations|archive-date=June 18, 2010|url-status=live}}

"Light Up" features loud synth drums and plaintive piano strings. The Jay-Z-collaboration is a critique on the hip hop industry, its detrimental effects, and the trappings of being an artist: "While all my closest friends out partyin'/ I'm just here makin' the music that they party to," while Jay-Z gives advice: "Drake, here's how they gonna come at you / with silly rap feuds, trying to distract you." Jay-Z expands on the album's overarching theme of self-doubt: "And since no good deed go unpunished / I'm not as cool with niggaz as I once was / I once was cool as the Fonz was / But these bright lights turned me to a monster."{{cite web|url=http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=83b4dc51-d78d-4b97-af83-93945243a35a |title=Jazmine Sullivan/Drake |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |work=MSN Music |date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309081052/http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=83b4dc51-d78d-4b97-af83-93945243a35a |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |url-status=dead }} "Miss Me" has Lil Wayne rapping jokes, including a crude punch line about sucking "the brown" off his penis and subsequently groaning, "Ewwww, that's nasty." "Cece's Interlude" has a Prince-like LinnDrum and transparent lyrics addressing a girl: "I wish I / Wasn't famous / I wish I / Was still in school / So that I could have you in my dorm room / I would put it on you crazy." The pop song "Find Your Love" was produced by Kanye West and bears similarity to his 2008 song "Heartless".{{cite web|last=Lamb|first=Bill|url=http://top40.about.com/b/2010/04/29/drakes-find-your-love-moves-in-a-pop-direction-as-produced-by-kanye-west.htm|title=Drake's "Find Your Love" Moves in a Pop Direction as Produced By Kanye West|publisher=About.com|access-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120152709/http://top40.about.com/b/2010/04/29/drakes-find-your-love-moves-in-a-pop-direction-as-produced-by-kanye-west.htm|archive-date=January 20, 2013|url-status=live}}

File:Drake fox theatre.jpg in Atlanta, 2010]]

Thank Me Later was one of the most anticipated hip hop releases of 2010.Vibe.com [http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2010/01/07/22088653.aspx Vibe's 10 The Most Anticipated Albums of 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527000246/http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2010/01/07/22088653.aspx |date=May 27, 2010 }}. AllHipHop. Retrieved June 12, 2010.Staff. [http://www.rap-up.com/2010/01/04/10-most-anticipated-albums-of-2010/ 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507011157/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/01/04/10-most-anticipated-albums-of-2010/ |date=May 7, 2010 }}. Rap-Up. Retrieved June 12, 2010.Feldman, Nick. [http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2010/06/forget_the_haters_and_the_hype.php Review: Thank Me Later] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327052541/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2010/06/forget_the_haters_and_the_hype.php |date=March 27, 2012 }}. Seattle Weekly. Retrieved June 15, 2010. Universal Motown Records announced its release date as June 15, 2010,[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635474/20100405/drake.jhtml Exclusive: Drake's Thank Me Later Due June 15] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407073735/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635474/20100405/drake.jhtml |date=April 7, 2010 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 20, 2010.[http://www.sohh.com/2010/04/drakes_thank_me_later_suffers_setback_re.html News: Drake's Thank Me Later Suffers Setback] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606041736/http://www.sohh.com/2010/04/drakes_thank_me_later_suffers_setback_re.html |date=June 6, 2010 }}. SOHH. Retrieved June 20, 2010. before it leaked on June 1 in its entirety. Drake responded on Twitter: "I gave away free music for years so we're good over here... just allow it to be the soundtrack to your summer and Enjoy! June 15th!"[https://twitter.com/drakkardnoir/status/15236750663/ Drake Official Twitter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610074151/http://twitter.com/drakkardnoir/status/15236750663 |date=June 10, 2010 }}. Twitter. Retrieved June 12, 2010. The album was released June 15, 2010, by Aspire Music Group,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958075/drake-summer-album-preview-2010 |title=Drake: Summer Album Preview 2010 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007072556/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958075/drake-summer-album-preview-2010 |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live }} with Young Money Entertainment under a joint venture with Cash Money Records and distribution by Universal Motown.Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614953/20090629/lil_wayne.jhtml Drake Signs With Lil Wayne's Young Money Label] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102205402/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614953/20090629/lil_wayne.jhtml |date=January 2, 2011 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 15, 2010.Columnist. [http://www.damego.com/drake-thank-me-later-leaked-songs Drake – Thank Me Later Leaked Songs: Listen to 2 Tracks Free] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605055114/http://www.damego.com/drake-thank-me-later-leaked-songs |date=June 5, 2010 }}. Damego. Retrieved June 15, 2010. When Thank Me Later was released, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the United States and sold 447,000 copies in its first week.Caulfield, Keith. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957659/drake-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200 Drake Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506020941/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957659/drake-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200 |date=May 6, 2020 }}. Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2010. It also debuted at number one in Canada with first-week sales of 31,000 copies.Williams, John. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120715223943/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Drake/2010/06/23/14487826.html Drake beats McLachlan to No. 1]}}. QMI Agency. Retrieved June 23, 2010. By August 2015, the album has sold 1.8 million copies in the United States.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6656838/drake-million-selling-album-if-youre-reading-this |title=Drake's 'If You're Reading This' Becomes First Million-Selling Album Released in 2015 |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |magazine=Billboard |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811161017/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6656838/drake-million-selling-album-if-youre-reading-this |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}

In promotion of Thank Me Later, Drake performed at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on June 13, 2010.Godfrey, Sarah. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/06/in_concert_drake_at_930_club.html In Concert: Drake at 9:30 Club] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011231549/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/06/in_concert_drake_at_930_club.html |date=October 11, 2011 }}. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2010. On June 15, Drake made an in-store appearance at a Best Buy-outlet in New York City's Union Square in promotion of the album's release, interacting with fans and signing copies of the album.Feeney, Michael J. [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/06/15/2010-06-15_drake_celebrates_release_of_new_album_thank_me_later_in_union_square.html Drake celebrates release of his new album "Thank Me Later" in Union Square] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617221952/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/06/15/2010-06-15_drake_celebrates_release_of_new_album_thank_me_later_in_union_square.html |date=June 17, 2010 }}. Daily News. New York. Retrieved June 16, 2010. On the day of its release, Drake also made interviews for several radio stations through the phone.Rodriquez, Jayson. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641636/20100615/drake.jhtml Drake "So Excited, So Exhausted" On Thank Me Later's Release Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616213412/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641636/20100615/drake.jhtml |date=June 16, 2010 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 16, 2010. A planned free concert by Drake at South Street Seaport's Pier 17 that day was cancelled by concert organizers and authorities after unruly behavior within crowds and unsafe overcrowding.{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/manhattan/nypd-shuts-down-drake-concert-at-seaport-20100615-akd |title=Drake Concert Shut Down |publisher=Fox 5 New York |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110125113/http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/manhattan/nypd-shuts-down-drake-concert-at-seaport-20100615-akd |archive-date=November 10, 2010 |url-status=unfit }} Following the cancellation, Drake appeared at Manhattan nightspot Amnesia for an album-release party sponsored by radio station Hot 97.Rodriquez, Jayson. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641922/20100618/drake.jhtml Drake Stays Busy On Thank Me Later Release Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620214438/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641922/20100618/drake.jhtml |date=June 20, 2010 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 19, 2010.

Four singles were released from the album—"Over" on March 8, 2010,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Over-Explicit/dp/B003BA7E82|title=Amazon.com:Over –Explicit: Drake: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon |access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502162821/http://www.amazon.com/Over-Explicit/dp/B003BA7E82|archive-date=May 2, 2010|url-status=live}} "Find Your Love" on May 5,{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/find-your-love-single/id370913840|title=Find Your Love – Single by Drake|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=May 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508123822/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/find-your-love-single/id370913840|archive-date=May 8, 2010|url-status=dead}} "Miss Me" on June 1,{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=06/01/2010&Format=5 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Urban |publisher=Gfa.radioandrecords.com |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302154245/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=06%2F01%2F2010&Format=5 |archive-date=March 2, 2014 }} and "Fancy" on August 3.{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08/03/2010&Format=5 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Urban |publisher=Gfa.radioandrecords.com |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302134632/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08%2F03%2F2010&Format=5 |archive-date=March 2, 2014 }} All four singles reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including "Miss Me" at number 15 and "Over" at number 14.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/drake/chart-history/hsi/|title=Drake Chart History: Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 7, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424075131/https://www.billboard.com/music/drake/chart-history/HSI|url-status=live}} "Find Your Love" charted at number five on the Hot 100 and also reached number 10 in Canada.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/drake/chart-history/can/|title=Drake Chart History: Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 7, 2020|archive-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426023538/https://www.billboard.com/music/drake/chart-history/CAN|url-status=live}} "Shut It Down" was originally planned for release as the first single in late 2009 and "Show Me a Good Time" was planned to be the fifth single, but both releases failed to materialize.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267271/drake-readies-first-thank-me-later-single |title=Drake Readies First "Thank Me Later" Single {{pipe}} Billboard |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808020714/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267271/drake-readies-first-thank-me-later-single |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1648619/drake-says-hes-debating-fancy-video-re-shoot/ |title=Drake Says He's Debating "Fancy" Video Re-shoot - MTV |website=MTV |access-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160446/http://www.mtv.com/news/1648619/drake-says-hes-debating-fancy-video-re-shoot/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }}

{{Music ratings

| title = Thank Me Later ratings

| ADM = 6.0/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1909/Thank-Me-Later.aspx|title=Thank Me Later by Drake reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031212223/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1909/Thank-Me-Later.aspx|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=live}}

| MC = 75/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = B+

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = B{{cite magazine|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=June 9, 2010|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2010/06/09/thank-me-later|title=Thank Me Later|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121000305/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/06/09/thank-me-later|archive-date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = Los Angeles Times

| rev4Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Jeff|date=June 14, 2010|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-drakes-thank-me-later.html|title=Album review: Drake's 'Thank Me Later'|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162504/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-drakes-thank-me-later.html|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = MSN Music (Expert Witness)

| rev5Score = B+

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = 6/10{{cite journal|last=Cashmore|first=Pete|date=June 28, 2010|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/11395|title=Album Review: Drake – "Thank Me Later" (Young Money/Island)|journal=NME|location=London|access-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208151517/http://www.nme.com/reviews/11395|archive-date=December 8, 2015}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7Score = 8.4/10

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9Score = 8/10

| rev10 = USA Today

| rev10Score = {{Rating|3|4}}

}}

Thank Me Later was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional critics, the album received an average score of 75, based on 26 reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/thank-me-later/drake|title=Reviews for Thank Me Later by Drake|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022010314/http://www.metacritic.com/music/thank-me-later/drake|archive-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=live}} Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.0 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Tim Sendra of AllMusic complimented the album's "rich and nuanced production and Drake's thoughtful, playful, and intense lyrics", writing that his "willingness to be introspective and honest ... makes [him] unique and helps make Thank Me Later special."{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/thank-me-later-mw0001996454|title=Thank Me Later – Drake|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 23, 2010|first=Tim|last=Sendra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531231813/http://www.allmusic.com/album/thank-me-later-mw0001996454|archive-date=May 31, 2012|url-status=live}} Pitchfork critic Ryan Dombal said "Drake vies for superstardom while embracing his non-drug-dealing, non-violent, non-dire history-- one that connects with most rap fans in a completely reasonable way."{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14367-thank-me-later/|title=Drake: Thank Me Later|first=Ryan|last=Dombal|date=June 15, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=Pitchfork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626071141/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14367-thank-me-later/|archive-date=June 26, 2010|url-status=live}} In The A.V. Club, Rabin wrote that "on his cohesive, bittersweet, assured debut, he proves himself worthy of the sometimes-blinding spotlight".{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/drake-thank-me-later-1798165185|title=Drake: Thank Me Later|work=The A.V. Club|date=June 15, 2010|access-date=June 23, 2010|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619050252/http://www.avclub.com/articles/drake-thank-me-later,42125/|archive-date=June 19, 2010|url-status=live}} Rosen, writing for Rolling Stone, found Drake to be "in total command of a style that would have been hard to imagine dominating hip-hop a few years ago".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thank-me-later-20100615|title=Thank Me Later|first=Jody|last=Rosen|author-link=Jody Rosen|access-date=November 10, 2012|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143004/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thank-me-later-20100615|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}} In the opinion of Ben Detrick from Spin, Thank Me Later had "dynamics like few other hip-hop albums before it", and while "Drake's personal anecdotes lack the bravado of bullet-wound boasts", they were "intimate and lyrically detailed enough to draw blood". Prefix critic Wilson McBee deemed it one of the few pop rap records "that comes close to being a classic".{{cite web|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/features/drake-nicki-minaj-wiz-khalifa/what-is-pop-rap-and-why-do-we-hate-it/52426/|title=What Is Pop Rap and Why Do We Hate It|work=Prefix|access-date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126181554/http://www.prefixmag.com/features/drake-nicki-minaj-wiz-khalifa/what-is-pop-rap-and-why-do-we-hate-it/52426/|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=live}}

Some reviewers were less impressed. Daniel Roberts of PopMatters said none of the songs are better than "Best I Ever Had" and believed Drake was suffering from an "identity crisis", finding the record "good at parts, but never great".{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/126982-drake-thank-me-later-2496179754.html|title=Drake: Thank Me Later|first=Daniel|last=Roberts|date=June 16, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2010|work=PopMatters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619061531/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/126982-drake-thank-me-later|archive-date=June 19, 2010|url-status=live}} Josuha Errett of Now felt Drake "complains about fame way too much" while calling him "humorless".{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=175444|title=Drake|first=Joshua|last=Errett|work=Now|access-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015133859/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=175444|archive-date=October 15, 2012|url-status=live}} In MSN Music, Robert Christgau deemed Drake "neither thug nor thug wannabe ... plenty talented, but pretty shallow and without much focus as a mack". He wrote of the record: "Pleasing and hookful though it be, [it] consistently bemoans the confusing emoluments and accoutrements of fame". Pete Cashmore from NME believed "it's those constant and predictable superstar interjections that prevent the album from standing out as much as it had potential to do." Slant Magazine{{'}}s Jesse Cataldo viewed Drake's "insistent navel-gazing" as a flimsy "concept", but commended the album for "nail[ing] confused introspection in a genre famous for willful misrepresentation of self."

At the end of 2010, Thank Me Later appeared on several critics' top-ten lists of the year's best albums,{{cite web|last=Dietz|first=Jason|date=December 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210073356/http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/music-critic-top-ten-lists-best-of-2010/|title=2010 Music Critic Top Ten Lists|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=December 9, 2010|archive-date=December 10, 2010|url-status=dead|url=http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/music-critic-top-ten-lists-best-of-2010/}} including Time, who ranked it fifth best,Staff (December 9, 2010). [http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034644_2034627,00.html Drake, {{'}}Thank Me Later{{'}} – The Top 10 Everything of 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212233017/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034644_2034627,00.html |date=December 12, 2010 }}. Time. Retrieved December 9, 2010. and Rolling Stone, who named it the seventh best album of the year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/30-best-albums-of-2010-20101213|title=30 Best Albums of 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 7, 2010|date=December 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217065847/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/30-best-albums-of-2010-20101213|archive-date=December 17, 2010|url-status=live}} At the 2010 Grammy Awards, "Best I Ever Had" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song.{{Cite web|title=Drake|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/drake|date=November 26, 2019|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009122458/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/drake|archive-date=October 9, 2019|url-status=live}} In 2013 and 2022, Rolling Stone included Thank Me Later in its list of the 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time.{{Cite magazine|title=100 Best Debut Albums of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-143608/|date=October 13, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209023811/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-143608/|archive-date=December 9, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last2=Browne |first2=David |last3=Dolan |first3=Jon |last4=Freeman |first4=Jon |last5=Hermes |first5=Will |last6=Hoard |first6=Christian |last7=Lopez |first7=Julyssa |last8=Reeves |first8=Mosi |last9=Rosen |first9=Jody |last10=Sheffield |first10=Rob |last1=Shachtman |first1=Noah |title=100 Best Debut Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-143608/the-fame-2-151275/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 1, 2022 |date=July 1, 2022}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Thank Me Later standard edition

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Fireworks

| note1 = featuring Alicia Keys

| writer1 = {{hlist|Aubrey Graham|Noah Shebib|Matthew Samuels|Christian Kalla|Alicia Augello Cook}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|40|Boi-1da{{ref|a|[a]}}|Crada{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 5:13

| title2 = Karaoke

| writer2 = {{hlist|Graham|Francis Farewell Starlite|Shebib}}

| extra2 = Francis and the Lights

| length2 = 3:48

| title3 = The Resistance

| writer3 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Samuels|Oliver El-Khatib}}

| extra3 = 40

| length3 = 3:45

| title4 = Over

| writer4 = {{hlist|Graham|Samuels|Nick Brongers|Shebib}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Boi-1da|Al-Khaaliq{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length4 = 3:54

| title5 = Show Me a Good Time

| writer5 = {{hlist|Graham|Kanye West|Jeff Bhasker|Ernest Wilson}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|West|No I.D.{{ref|a|[a]}}|Bhasker{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length5 = 3:30

| title6 = Up All Night

| note6 = featuring Nicki Minaj

| writer6 = {{hlist|Graham|Samuels|Matthew Burnett|Onika Maraj}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Boi-1da|Burnett{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length6 = 3:54

| title7 = Fancy

| note7 = featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz

| writer7 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Samuels|Kasseem Dean|Clifford Harris|Aubrey Johnson|Henry Zant}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Swizz Beatz|40{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length7 = 5:19

| title8 = Shut It Down

| note8 = featuring The-Dream

| writer8 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Sidney Brown|Terius Nash}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|40|Omen}}

| length8 = 6:59

| title9 = Unforgettable

| note9 = featuring Young Jeezy

| writer9 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Samuels|Jay Jenkins|Ronald Isley|Ernie Isley|Marvin Isley|O'Kelly Isley Jr.|Chris Jasper}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|40|Boi-1da}}

| length9 = 3:34

| title10 = Light Up

| note10 = featuring Jay-Z

| writer10 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Anthony McIntyre|Shawn Carter}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|40|Tone Mason}}

| length10 = 4:34

| title11 = Miss Me

| note11 = featuring Lil Wayne

| writer11 = {{hlist|Graham|Samuels|Shebib|Dwayne Carter, Jr.|Doug Edwards|Dave Richardson}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Boi-1da|40}}

| length11 = 5:06

| title12 = Cece's Interlude

| writer12 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Adrian Eccleston}}

| extra12 = 40

| length12 = 2:34

| title13 = Find Your Love

| writer13 = {{hlist|Graham|West|Bhasker|Wilson|Patrick Reynolds}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|West|No I.D.{{ref|a|[a]}}|Bhasker{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length13 = 3:29

| title14 = Thank Me Now

| writer14 = {{hlist|Graham|Timothy Mosley}}

| extra14 = Timbaland

| length14 = 5:29

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese bonus tracks[http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3816194 Drake – Thank Me Later (Japanese release)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608033501/http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3816194 |date=June 8, 2010 }}. HMV. Retrieved June 12, 2010.

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title15 = Best I Ever Had

| writer15 = {{hlist|Samuels|Graham|Carter, Jr.|Danny Hamilton|Tommy Reynolds}}

| extra15 = Boi-1da

| length15 = 4:17

| title16 = Uptown

| note16 = featuring Bun B and Lil Wayne

| writer16 = {{hlist|Graham|Carter, Jr.|Bernard Freeman|Samuels|Jeremy McArthur|William Joel}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Boi-1da|Arthur McArthur}}

| length16 = 6:21

| title17 = Successful

| note17 = featuring Trey Songz and Lil Wayne

| writer17 = {{hlist|Graham|Shebib|Tremaine Neverson|Carter, Jr.}}

| extra17 = 40

| length17 = 5:51

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK bonus track{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/thank-me-later/376643547 |title=Thank Me Later by Drake on Apple Music |date=January 2010 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626173805/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/thank-me-later/id376643547 |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title16 = 9AM in Dallas

| writer16 = {{hlist|Graham|Samuels|Burnett}}

| extra16 = Boi-1da

| length16 = 3:39

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

• "Fancy" contains elements and samples of "I Don't Want to Play Around", written by Aubrey Johnson and Henry Zant, published by Ace Spec Music (BMI).
• "Unforgettable" contains elements and excerpts from "At Your Best", performed by Aaliyah, written by Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley Jr., and Chris Jasper, published by EMI April Music Inc (ASCAP).
• "Miss Me" contains elements and excerpts from "Wild Flower", performed by Hank Crawford, written by Doug Edwards and Dave Richardson, published by Nettwerk Tunes (BMI).
• "Miss Me" contains an interpolation of "What's Hannenin'", performed by Soulja Boy.

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.Track listing and credits as per liner notes for Thank Me Later album

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Al-Khaaliq – producer, horns, keyboards, and strings (track 4)
• A-Trak – scratching (track 5)
• Jeff Bhasker – co-producer and keyboards (tracks 5, 13)
• Mary J. Blige – additional vocals (track 7)
• Boi-1da – producer (tracks 4, 6, 9, 11), co-producer (1), instrumentation (6, 11), drum programming (4, 9), additional keyboards (7), additional drum programming (1, 3)
• Cortez Bryant – executive producer
• Matthew Burnett – co-producer and strings (track 6)
• Michael "Banger" Cadahia – engineer (track 11)
• Noel Cadastre – engineer (tracks 5, 10), assistant engineer (1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12), mixing assistant (6, 7, 13)
• Noel "Gadget" Campbell – mixing (tracks 8–11)
• Ariel Chobaz – engineer (track 6)
• Crada – co-producer (track 1)
• Drake – vocals (all tracks)
• The-Dream – vocals (track 8)
• Adrian "X" Eccleston – guitar (tracks 10–12)
• Oliver El-Khatib – art direction, executive producer
• Noah "40" Shebib – producer (tracks 1, 3, 8–12), co-producer (7), engineer (1–4, 6–14), mixing (1–7, 12, 13), instrumentation (1, 3, 12), keyboards (8–10), piano (10), additional programming (7), additional keyboards (2, 4, 7, 11), additional drum programming (8), executive producer
• Francis and the Lights – producer (track 2)
• Chris Gehringer – mastering
• Chris Godbey – mixing (track 14)
• Philip Golebiewski – artwork, photography
• Travis Harrington – assistant engineer (track 8)
• Ghazi Hourani – assistant engineer (track 14)
• Jay-Z – rap (track 10)
• Tandra "Lytes" Jhagroo – assistant engineer (track 2), mixing assistant (4)
• Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton – engineer (track 10)
• Alicia Keys – vocals (track 1)
• Anthony Kronfle – assistant engineer (tracks 1, 8, 10)

{{col-2}}

• Derrick "E.I." Lawrence – executive producer
• Lil Wayne – rap (track 11), executive producer
• Anthony Mandler – photography
• Jonathan Mannion – photography
• Mark "Darkie" Mayers – design
• Nicki Minaj – rap (track 6)
• Ann Mincieli – engineer and mixing (track 1)
• Marq "MoodyMan" Moody – assistant engineer (track 11)
• Greg Morrison – mixing assistant (tracks 8–11)
• No I.D. – co-producer and drum programming (tracks 5, 13)
• Yashar Oghabi – mixing assistant (track 2)
• Omen – producer and drum programming (track 8)
• Anthony Palman – assistant engineer (track 14)
• Keith Parry – mixing assistant (track 5)
• J. Prince – assistant engineer (track 14), executive producer
• Jas Prince – executive producer
• Kevin Randolf – keyboards (tracks 5, 13)
• Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds – drum programming (track 13)
• Gee Roberson – executive producer
• Miguel Scott – mixing assistant (tracks 2, 3, 6, 7, 12)
• Francis Farewell Starlite – instrumentation (track 2)
• David "Gordo" Strickland – mixing assistant (tracks 8–11)
• Swizz Beatz – vocals, producer, and instrumentation (track 7)
• T.I. – rap (track 7)
• Pat Thrall – engineer (track 8)
• Timbaland – producer and instrumentation (track 14)
• Tone Mason – producer and drum programming (track 10)
• Dale "Dizzle" Virgo – assistant engineer (track 2), mixing assistant (4)
• Kanye West – producer (tracks 5, 13)
• Bryan "Baby Birdman" Williams – executive producer
• Ronald "Slim Tha Don" Williams – executive producer
• Young Jeezy – rap (track 9)

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Thank Me Later}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Thank Me Later|artist=Drake|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2010|certyear=2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Drake|title=Thank Me Later|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|access-date=March 1, 2025|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Thank Me Later|artist=Drake|award=Platinum|relyear=2010|certyear=2023|access-date=March 18, 2023|id=8715-2363-2}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Thank Me Later|artist=Drake|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2010|certyear=2023|accessdate=October 24, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

• List of number-one albums of 2010 (Canada)
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2010
• List of UK R&B Albums Chart number ones of 2010

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite journal|last1=Kondo|first1=Toshitaka|last2=Ahmed|first2=Insanul|date=June 9, 2010|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2010/06/the-making-of-drakes-thank-me-later/#gallery|title=The Making of Drake's 'Thank Me Later'|journal=Complex|location=New York}}
• {{cite news|last=Skinner|first=Mike|date=February 7, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/feb/07/streets-takeover-charting-drakes-progress?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Streets takeover: Charting Drake's progress|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London}}

• {{Discogs master|type=album|289008}}

{{Drake}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2010 debut albums

Category:Albums produced by Boi-1da

Category:Albums produced by Jeff Bhasker

Category:Albums produced by Kanye West

Category:Albums produced by No I.D.

Category:Albums produced by Noah "40" Shebib

Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz

Category:Albums produced by Timbaland

Category:Albums produced by Tone Mason

Category:Albums recorded at Metalworks Studios

Category:Cash Money Records albums

Category:Drake (musician) albums

Category:Universal Motown Records albums

Category:Young Money Entertainment albums

Category:Pop-rap albums