Ne-Yo, Kia Shine & Killer Mike Share Reactions To “Thank Me Later” Leak

Written By S. Samuel

After Drake's Thank Me Later debut leaked online last week, SOHH hit up Ne-Yo, Kia Shine and Killer Mike to get their reaction to its illegal release.

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From an R&B perspective, Ne-Yo said he felt the fans should respect artists’ music and not support illegal leaks.

“Man, I just feel like people don’t have patience anymore,” Ne-Yo told SOHH. “Where’s the class and integrity that came with music back in the day? You listen to it before it’s supposed to be listened to and then you don’t like it but you didn’t even give it a chance to get done. That’s like eating a meal before it’s finished cooking. Of course you’re not gonna like it, it wasn’t finished yet. I just feel like if people wait for the actual album to come out so that they can catch the full effect of the joint, then music might be in better shape if you ask me. It’s sad, the loops that we literally gotta jump through to keep the music safe before it’s time for it to come out, it’s really, really sad that it’s come to that. But I mean, it is what it is, I’m one man.” (SOHH)

Killer Mike, who befriended Drake during his So Far Gone days, believed the rapper would be able to fend off the negative effects of his debut leak.

“I mean, sh*t, Wayne‘s sh*t leaked and he still did a million,” Mike reasoned referring to Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III in 2008. “If you got the people engaged, it’s gonna work out. I don’t think Drake has nothing to worry about. You just gotta keep looking forward, not backwards. I think he’s gonna be good. I think Cash Money, Young Money is an amazing company. I gotta take my hat off because I think they do a great job in putting their artists in a position to do good. I think it’s gonna be a good hit for them.” (SOHH)

“Best I Ever Had” co-writer/producer Kia Shine felt Drake was another victim to the rising popularity of digital technology.

“As far as how Drake handles his affairs with his music, I’m sure they’re well able to handle those things accordingly and I can’t speak on the next man’s situation, what it is or what it should be but being a digital day in age where everybody has access, some people were able to get his work earlier,” Kia explained. “If it’s good music then it won’t [matter]. Everything is out these days, from movies like Avatar, it just got out on DVD down the street, Janky Promoters was out in the street before it reached stores. I just think it’s the day and age that we live in and everybody has to live with it. But I think good music is good music. I think it’s gonna do what it’s supposed to do, period.” (SOHH)

Despite its leak, Drake is still confident and positive about his debut’s June 15th release.

“I always said if I had put out an album that was poor quality and music that people didn’t enjoy, then I think the leaks would hurt me,” Drake said in an interview. “Because a lot of the feedback has been great. The word of mouth, music is something that is to be enjoyed. I think it can help me so, June 15th, I’m still confident.” (The Life Files)

Check out Drake speaking on his Thank Me Later leak below:

Drake Talks Album Leaks & Musical Inspirations! from the.LIFE Files on Vimeo.

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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