Drake's "Thank Me Later" Album Gets An Official Release Date

Young Money rapper Drake's Thank Me Later album has finally received a release date and will reportedly land in retail stores this May.

According to reports, the rapper's debut album will arrive in late May.

It's official. The most anticipated hip-hop album of the year finally has a release date. Drake's debut Thank Me Later will arrive on May 25, Rap-Up.com has learned. Drake will travel across the country performing material from the album on his first headlining trek, "The Away From Home Tour," kicking off April 9 at Penn State University, and wrapping in Houston on May 20, a few days before the record's release.

Earlier this month, Drake's "Shut It Down" duet record leaked online.

A new song by Drake featuring The-Dream is leaked. Titled "Shut It Down", the piece is produced by Noah "40" Shebib and Omen who also co-produced Alicia Keys' duet track with Drake, "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)". The slow-jam song is reportedly not the final version but has been confirmed to be listed in the Canadian rapper's debut album "Thank Me Later".

The rapper recently talked about Jay-Z's "Light It Up" guest spot that will be featured on the album.

"It's just me and Jay both rapping on it for an extended period of time," Drake said in an interview. "It's real rap. It's real rap. I do sing on it, but it's just on the hook -- but it's rap. It's great. The perspective, the dynamic on the track -- it's me and Jay's relationship on the song, basically. When you hear it, people will be like, 'Oh man.' That's how we are -- just the two. He definitely has guided me a lot, as far as his words and his advice. We have a real funny rapport. I always enjoy my conversations with Jay. It's good."

Rolling Stone initially reported that the project would be released on an unknown date in May.

Drake's LP is a reflection of how the upstart Toronto MC has become hip-hop's new leading man. "I tried to capture every great moment I've had in the last year," he says. "It's triumphant." To wit: He raps about a presumed love affair with Rihanna and his friendship with mentor Lil Wayne on "Fireworks." Drake mostly eschewed big names in favor of home-town producers (Boi-1da, Noah "40" Shebib) and a collaboration with New York indie rockers Francis and the Lights. "It's gonna be interesting," he says. "I hope it's pleasing to the ear."

Check out Drake speaking on his new album down below: