Drake posts new songs, announces Sept. 17 album release

Not one to risk being overshadowed by Kanye West, Jay-Z and J. Cole -- all of whom have dominated music news this week -- Drake took to the Web early Saturday to release a batch of new songs and reveal the release date of his upcoming album.

The Canadian rapper -- who may also have been looking to divert attention from a video in which he appears to be turned away from the Miami Heat locker room following the team’s win at the NBA Finals -- posted four tracks on his October’s Very Own blog, including “The Motion,” featuring Sampha, and “Jodeci Freestyle,” featuring J. Cole.

He also shared two cuts to which he contributes guest verses: PartyNextDoor’s “Over Here” and “Versace” by Migos. (All feature explicit language, which means we can’t embed them here.)

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It’s unclear which (if any) of these songs will show up on Drake’s upcoming album, “Nothing Was the Same.” But now we know that disc -- the follow-up to 2011’s hit “Take Care” -- will be in stores on Sept. 17, as the MC revealed in an early-morning tweet.

Earlier this week Drake announced that he’s set to launch a North American arena tour on Sept. 25; it’s scheduled to stop at Anaheim’s Honda Center on Nov. 21 before concluding at L.A.’s Staples Center on Nov. 25.

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Twitter: @mikaelwood