Look What You’ve Done | NFL ‘24 Draft | College Hoops Top 25 | YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
We are now 4 months into Drake’s album Take Care as this Mock Draft Monday is written with the 16th track on in the background. The song is called Look What You’ve Done. This song in particular is one of Drake’s more humble rap songs as he is paying it back to his mother, uncle, and grandmother. Just a heads up, it’s not your typical rap song, like next week’s HYFR.
That’s the cue, you know it’s a rap.
Starts off with a rhyme scheme. ‘09 was a huge year for Drake, it’s when his mixtape So Far Gone was released. We’re not quite sure who he’s directing this part of the song to, but they appear to be a smoker.
In this part of Verse 1, it’s clear he’s reflecting back on a time with his mother, Sandi. His parents split up when he was 5 and his mother raised him. At this time he didn’t really enjoy being compared to his dad.
Drake’s mother’s illness has never been publicized but it was considered serious enough that he canceled European Tours back in ‘10 to be with her. While clearly to an extent Drake is motivated by money and women, which he raps about a ton, I think this was a hidden element that doesn’t really get talked about enough. If you’re an only child in a single-parent household, your mother is not well, and you have a talent for music, you’re going to be driven to work hard by that a lot more by that situation than you would if it was just about cars and chasing skirts. Sure, a lot of rappers start off in bad situations, some even far worse than Drake, but there has got to be something there pushed him to get to the top of hip-hop for a decade.
Do I think Drake and his crew would rob a bank? Probably not, but I grew up in Pearl River, New York, so I’m not going to sit here and do the whole “they’re soft” thing.
This is when part of the verse the low key beat drops with the piano. The Wayne in this verse is of course Lil Wayne, who was instrumental in mentoring Drake in his early days in the music industry. The 17-song mixtape was So Far Gone, which mentioned previously came out in ‘09. From the mixtape’s release, he got the money for the operation and more, like a trip to Rome.
Usually “Look what you’ve done” is said in a negative tone. In this case, it’s him thanking some of the people who helped get him to where he is.
‘06 Drake was a teenager. His father at the time must have been on probation and couldn’t travel much outside of Memphis. The way “Boohoo, sad story” is said about his father’s absence is likely him insinuating that this is a problem that people don’t feel sorry for. In reality, it must be very painful for everyone involved in the situation.
Here we find out this verse is conversing with his uncle, who would go above and beyond.
Drake’s uncle who was there for him, looked out for him and gave him the confidence to go for it as an artist. Clearly, his words meant really something to him.
Again, Drake’s uncle was an integral part of his support system during his formative teenage years when he needed the father figure role. Honestly, this song kind of does a great job of giving perspective on a more personal side of Drake that we don’t always get to hear as an audience. Look What You’ve Done really isn’t one of his more popular songs but it has a good message to it.
His grandmother’s voicemail at the end is a nice touch. Great tune, it’ll make you always thankful for your family.
Taliese Fuaga (pronounced Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) is from Tacoma, Washington. He chose Oregon State because “it was the best fit for me and my family.” During the COVID year of ‘20, Fuaga got his feet wet with 4 games as a freshman. In ‘21, the 6’6” tackle saw action in 10 games and made the PAC-12 Academic Honor Roll. Last year in ‘22, the Polynesian product started in all 13 games where he dammed an effective Beaver offense to 396 yards per game overall and 196.5 on the ground. Pro Football Focus really liked Fuaga’s strong play as they graded him an 80.8 overall with a 79.6 run block. He should be able to get plugged into an offense’s right tackle position and be able to play right out of the gate in the NFL. He has excellent power and a quick first step, perfect for tackle in the NFL.
TJ Tampa went to Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tampa is a 6’2”, big-bodied, physical defensive back who bullies WRs. The 3-star recruit has had to earn his way onto the field, starting off on special teams in ‘20. The former 2-time all-county basketball player first cracked the CB lineup in ‘21 when he registered 18 tackles with 3 pass breakups. Last year, Tampa entered the season as a starter and he shined with his 1st INT, 40 tackles, and 5 tackles for loss. He earned 2nd Team All-Big 12 recognition and thus far this season has improved even more in coverage, as he has already picked off 2 passes in ‘23. A team like Philadelphia, who has a knack for hitting on big corners in the draft, are likely scouting TJ Tampa in the middle rounds.
Matt Goncalves is from Out East, Manorville, on Long Island, NY. He has an older brother who played baseball at SUNY Cortland. In high school, Matt was the consensus #1 offensive line prospect out of the state of New York. He first went to Pitt in ‘19 where he redshirted for the season. In ‘20, he made his debut on the field, starting as the LT in Pitt’s final 3 games. He distinguished himself enough to be named to the Freshman All-American. The following season in ‘21, Goncalves made another 5 starts at RT. Last year in ‘22, the 6’6” and 330 lbs. tackle split time between the LT and RT. He was selected 3rd Team All-ACC. The vet lineman from Long Island made some starts at LT this season but got injured, has undergone surgery, and has already announced he will enter the NFL Draft. Goncalves’ ability to play both sides of the line and with his size could make him a possible guard in the NFL. This positional versatility and experience will make him sought after by NFL GMs in the mid-rounds of the Draft.
Tyler Batty is from Payson, Utah, which is only about a 20-minute ride from BYU. Batty is a junior defensive end who majors in Nutritional Science. Off the field, he founded and operates Edwards' Hands, a non-profit organization that provides equine therapy for children with autism. Batty has played for BYU since ‘20 and became a starter on the team in ‘21. This weekend he will be making his 30th career start for the Cougars and he currently has 23.5 tackles for loss to go with 13 career sacks. This season Batty is in contention for All-Big 12 DE.
Julian Pearl is from Danville, Illinois, which is about a half hour from the Illinois campus. He picked his school because “it would give me a chance to represent and improve my hometown and state.” After redshirting entirely as a freshman in ‘18 and not playing much in ‘19, Pearl first saw real action during ‘20 when he earned his first starts in college football. By his ‘21 season, Pearl was a starter in 11 of 12 games. In ‘22, he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention as he started 12 of 13 games at left tackle. Since missing the one game in early September of ‘22, Julian Pearl has stayed healthy thus far throughout the ‘23 season. The offensive tackle started his career as a guard, so he does have some experience playing on the inside, but at 6’6” and 315 lbs. he may have the quickness to play the blindside in the NFL.
Special thanks to the Associated Press for working in conjunction with Week to Week Notes to come up with our Top 25 Rankings…
Kyle Filipowski is from Westtown, Orange County, NY, which is about an hour North West from Rockland County, NY, or better yet an hour & half Upstate from The City. Kyle has a twin brother who plays for Harvard, so he might not be the smartest in the family. This Filipowski is a sophomore 7’ Center who can do a bit of everything. As a freshman last year, the Upstate New Yorker averaged 15.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, which led the Blue Devils in both categories of the stat sheet. He has the ability to keep a defense honest as he shot 28% from behind the arc. Filipowski was named ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and the Kyle Macy National Freshman of the Year. He became just the 2nd Duke Blue Devil to be awarded ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP, joining Zion Williamson.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is from Florissant, Missouri. The 7’1” Center has spent the past 3 seasons at Creighton. As a reserve player his freshman year, Kalkbrenner chipped in with 5.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots per game. As a sophomore, he developed into a starter with the team averaging 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocked shots per game. He led the BIG East in FG% and offensive rebounds per game. The blocked shots and rim protection earned him BIG East Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore and he was able to win it again last season. His 15.9 points per game led the Blue Jays in scoring last year. Kalkbrenner has now been a part of 6 March Madness NCAA Tournament wins, the most in school history. He’ll be on a mission to add more to that in ‘23-’24.
Wade Taylor IV is from Dallas, Texas, and is entering his junior year as an Aggie. As a freshman, Taylor IV averaged 8.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game while starting the last 13 games. Last season at Texas A&M, the 6’ guard made a big jump that earned him 1st Team All-SEC while averaging 16.5 points per game. Taylor IV led the SEC in free throws made while shooting 87.5% from the charity stripe. He finished the ‘22-’23 season as 1 of 3 NCAA DI players with 500+ points, 125+ assists, and 50+ steals while making 85% or better on free throw attempts.
DJ Wagner is from Camden, New Jersey, and is just one of a handful of new Kentucky freshman stars to join the Blue Blood program. DJ Wagner’s father Dajuan Wagner, was an excellent basketball player from the Tri-State area who played for Coach Calipari as well. As a freshman at Memphis in ‘01-’02, DJ’s dad averaged 21.2 points per game and would go on to be the 6th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the ‘02 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, his father suffered from injuries and health problems which forced him out of the NBA too soon. DJ Wagner was the #4 ranked recruit in the Class of ‘23 and was highly sought after. Not only did Wagner win the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP as well as the state of New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year, but the 6’4” guard also was a co-MVP of the Iverson Classic. The consensus of the Week to Week Notes credentialed media members at the Iverson Classic was that DJ Wagner was the most impressive player on the floor. The kid has great form as a shooter, an exceptional ball handler who could probably play the PG if needed, and clearly has ability to play in the NBA.
TJ Bamba is originally from the Bronx, NY, but played high school hoops in Denver, Colorado. The senior guard transferred to Villanova this past offseason after attending Washington State since ‘20. As a member of WSU, Bamba earned more minutes and starts every year. During his freshman season, Bamba was a bench player who showed promise from behind the arc by hitting 60% of his 3s (12 of 20). In his sophomore season as a Cougar, Bamba established himself as the team’s best perimeter defender with a 97.3 defensive rating. Last year with WSU, the Bronx native put it all together while averaging a career-high 15.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Bamba was named All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention and even entered the NBA Draft portal before joining the Wildcats. Expect the 6’5” two-way guard to provide veteran leadership and skill to Villanova.
YouTube Rabbithole
The Making of Drake’s “Look What You’ve Done” with Chase N. Cashe