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Stream Sampha’s Brooding, Drake-Less Version of ‘Too Much’

sampha, drake, too much

Drake’s “Too Much” stands as one of the finest tracks on the Toronto MC’s third album. It’s a piano-lined “let’s clear the air” confessional aimed at Drizzy’s friends and family — basically everyone in the 27-year-old rapper’s life for whom the title Nothing Was the Same rings far too true. The song’s keys and backing vocals come courtesy Sampha, a Londoner known for his previous collaborations with SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, and Lil Silva. Now, the soulful singer has shared his solo rendition of “Too Much,” which will be released as a digital double-A-side single on November 12 via Young Turks.

According to an official announcement, Drake pulled from a demo version of the slow-burning ballad. Sampha’s full, finished product does away with Drizzy’s over-enunciated spitting and backing chipmunk samples. Instead, the spotlight lands squarely on Sampha’s mournful piano and wounded vocals, which share little more than what we’ve already witnessed on Drake’s take: “Don’t think about it too much / There’s no need for us to rush this through / Don’t think about it too much / This is more than just a new lust for you.” 

Hear Sampha star on “Too Much” by hitting the play button above. The single, which also features new song “Happens,” will be out on 7-inch vinyl on January 6. Pre-order that edition through XL Recordings’ online store.