Gordo Discusses His Collaboration on Drake's Surprise Triple Album Release

This article explores Gordo's significant contributions to Drake's recent surprise album trilogy, highlighting the innovative and experimental sounds he helped bring to the projects, particularly on "Maid of Honour." It delves into the unique collaborative dynamic between the two artists, where Drake often took the reins in the final stages of production, surprising even Gordo with his creative choices. The piece also touches on Gordo's plans for his own music following this major undertaking and his pride in being a part of Drake's evolving legacy.

The Unexpected Trilogy and Creative Process

Drake's recent release of three surprise albums, "Iceman," "Habibti," and "Maid of Honour," caught many off guard, including his close collaborator, producer Gordo. Despite working on the music for over a year and a half, Gordo was only aware of two albums, making the triple album drop a genuine surprise. This unexpected rollout meant that Gordo experienced the full scope of the projects alongside the general public, immersing himself in the diverse sounds of each album. His extensive involvement was particularly concentrated on "Maid of Honour," where he masterminded eight tracks, showcasing his signature electronic and club-driven style. This collection of music represents a departure for Drake, venturing into more experimental territories that reflect Gordo's unique sonic fingerprint.

Gordo describes the past year and a half as a continuous exchange of ideas, with him regularly sending beats to Drake for selection. The rapper would then respond with his preferences every few days, fostering a dynamic and iterative creative environment. Beyond the studio, their collaboration sometimes extended to shared experiences, such as a trip to Berghain, an anecdote previously shared by Gordo. These interactions, coupled with his team's consistent output of new material, ensured a steady flow of potential tracks for Drake, even if Gordo was initially unaware of where these musical pieces would ultimately fit. He recounted a process where he would sift through numerous beats, identifying those most likely to resonate with Drake, and was often met with enthusiastic approval for his selections.

Drake's Vision and Future Endeavors

One of the most striking revelations from Gordo was Drake's hands-on involvement in the final production stages of the albums. Despite Gordo's extensive work in crafting the initial beats, Drake frequently took the initiative to splice and merge tracks, creating entirely new sonic landscapes. Gordo cited "Hoe Phase" as an example, noting how Drake's intervention transformed it into an unexpected amapiano-influenced piece, a version Gordo had never heard before the album's release. Similarly, a track like "Nokia" underwent significant transformations under Drake's guidance, showcasing his ability to reassemble musical elements in surprising and innovative ways. This demonstrated Drake's profound creative control and his penchant for unexpected sonic shifts within his compositions, a characteristic Gordo found "pretty crazy."

The collaborative nature extended to featured artists as well, with Gordo often discovering guest appearances, such as Popcaan on "Amazing Shape" or Sexxy Red on "Cheetah Print," only upon hearing the final versions. He expressed particular enthusiasm for "Cheetah Print" due to its clever integration of Peggy Gou's house hit "(It Goes Like) Nanana," highlighting the diverse influences woven into the album. With this substantial project now complete, Gordo is redirecting his focus to his own musical endeavors, preparing a follow-up to his genre-bending LP, "Diamante," and boasting a collection of around 40 unreleased songs. He views his involvement in Drake's latest chapter as a profound honor, acknowledging the overwhelmingly positive reception of the albums as a significant "win" and expressing deep pride in contributing, however small, to Drake's enduring legacy.