'What A Time To Be Alive' Was Released Through Cash Money & Epic Records

Despite rumors that it was going to be a mixtape, the Drake and Future project 'What A Time To Be Alive' appears to be a traditional album.

If you want it, you're going to have to pay for it through Apple. (You can stream it through the computer giant's subscription service or buy it through iTunes). It also comes from Cash Money and Epic Records, Drake and Future's labels.

This is similar to the situation with Drake's last album, If You're Reading This It's Too Late. Although Drake calls that a mixtape, it was released through Cash Money and it presumably counted against his contract with Birdman and company.

In February, the New York Post reported that IYRTITL was the fourth album in Drake's five album deal with CM. Speculation was that Views From the 6 would make him a free agent.  But that was before anybody knew about WATTBA.

Birdman is certainly getting paid off of WATTBA -- which should go gold in its first week. Now the question is does the project also helps Drake take the next step toward a mega-payday that is as likely to come from Apple as it will from a traditional record label.