So Far Gone

The final independent project that launched a global mainstream career.

Far Gone is the third mixtape by Canadian rapper Drake, self-released on February 13, 2009, under his October's Very Own label. It marked a pivotal moment in his career, serving as a catalyst for his transition to a mainstream musical artist. The project achieved significant critical and commercial success, peaking at number seven on the Canadian Albums Chart and number five on the Billboard 200. It remains Drake's final independent project before his major label debut.

Quick Facts

Artist

Drake

Released

February 13, 2009

Recorded

2008

Genre

Hip hop
pop rap
alternative R&B
downtempo

Length

70:35

Label

OVO

Lore & Background

The narrative of So Far Gone stems from a specific moment of reflection Drake shared in an interview with Complex. It began after a brazen and disrespectful discussion about women with his close friend, Oliver. Immediately following the call, Oliver texted him: 'Are we becoming the men that our mothers divorced?' This question sparked the project's core theme: the struggle between being good guys and getting 'so far gone' in the pursuit of love and money. The title reflects this feeling of distancing oneself from past behaviors one is not proud of, elevating above the 'bullshit.' Drake describes it as a feeling where you are distanced in a good way, having moved past old habits while carrying the conscience that Oliver's text highlighted.

Reader's Guide

The project's lead singles were 'Best I Ever Had' and 'Successful.' Released as a digital download on February 13, 2009, 'Best I Ever Had' later became an official single on June 16, 2009, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. It topped both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Songs charts, earning a 2× platinum certification for over 2 million sales. 'Successful' peaked at number 17 on the Hot 100 and reached the Top 5 on genre-specific charts, achieving gold status. In September, the project was re-released as an EP containing five original tracks plus two exclusives: 'I'm Goin' In' and 'Fear.' This version debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 in February 2019 with 45,000 equivalent album units.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Lust for Life	Aubrey Graham, Noah Shebib, Roland Orzabal	2:56
2	Houstatlantavegas	Graham, Shebib	4:51
3	Successful (featuring Trey Songz and Lil Wayne)	Graham, Shebib, Tremaine Neverson, Dwayne Carter	6:14
4	Let's Call It Off (featuring Peter Bjorn and John)	Björn Yttling, Peter Morén, John Eriksson	3:54
5	November 18th	Graham, Christopher Wallace, Osten Harvey, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Robert Davis, Jermaine Dupri, Marcus Edwards, George Canler, Wally Palamarchuk, Mike Skill, Jimmy Marinos, Peter Solley, Bernard Freeman, Chad Butler, Donald Hepburn, Bruce Smith	3:07
6	Ignant Shit (featuring Lil Wayne)	Graham, D. Carter, Justin Smith, Shawn Carter, Dwight Grant, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Chris Jasper	5:04
7	A Night Off (featuring Lloyd)	Graham, Lloyd Polite, Shebib, S. Carter, Grant, Isley, Jasper	3:14
8	Say What's Real	Graham, Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, Dexter Mills, Jay Jenkins, Malik Jones, Benjamin McIldowie	3:51
9	Little Bit (featuring Lykke Li)	Lykke Zachrisson, Yttling	3:50
10	Best I Ever Had	Graham, Matthew Samuels, D. Carter, Nakia Coleman, Dan Hamilton, Ann Hamilton	4:18
11	Unstoppable (featuring Santigold and Lil Wayne)	Santi White, John Hill, Thomas Pentz	3:30
12	Uptown (featuring Bun B and Lil Wayne)	Graham, Freeman, D. Carter, Samuels, Jeremy McArthur, William Joel	6:22
13	Sooner Than Later	Graham, Shebib, Dalton Tennant	4:22
14	Bria's Interlude (featuring Omarion)	Graham, Shebib, Omari Grandberry, Melissa Elliott, Timothy Mosley, Maurice White, Verdine White	2:19
15	The Calm	Graham, Shebib	4:04
16	Outro (performed by Chilly Gonzales)	Jason Beck	2:55
17	Brand New	Graham, Shebib, Tennant	3:37
Total length			68:17