T2T REVIEW: Wale -- Ambition /
Ambition is the latest effort by D.C. rapper Wale, and unlike his other records, Ambition shows the Maryland native in a brand new light and I think we like it!
From the very first track (Don’t Hold Your Applause) you sense a more comfortable Wale—comfortable in his flow and in his swag. The cocky lyrics are offset by the melodic background vocals and carefree baseline. The rapper’s flow comes roaring back on the second track (Double M Genius), and soon you discover that on this record, Wale came to take names. His lyricism shines on this track and his delivery will undoubtedly lift the hairs on your forearms. The beat is so well produced that one would think that his lyrics would get lost in the beat, but Wale rises to the occasion. On the next track, Wale wants to take us to Miami with a track coined Miami Nights. With an almost flawless introduction to the album, Miami Nights takes the rapper a step backwards. It’s songs like this—one with no purpose or lyrical direction that keep Wale from being taken seriously in a crowded hip hop industry. Luckily the song Legendary comes to the album’s rescue. In this track Wale shuns the idea of ‘new money’ while boasting the idea of being so great that people remember your name forever. Not only is this a dope track but it makes one wonder what Wale could become to the industry over the next decade. Nothing changes with Lotus Flower Bomb, it is just as infectious on the album as it is on the radio--Miguel’s raspy vocals bring a sexy to the song that women of all ages will surely bask in.
“Chain Music” reminds us that every rap record needs an ignorant track that you can blast on your way to the club while stunting in your Honda Accord (lls). What is great about this effort from Wale is that he doesn’t do what most rappers do (Drake)—he doesn’t prolong tracks—he keeps them short and sweet, while leaving you begging for more. This method helps Ambition sound like a masterpiece even if it falls short on some tracks. On Focused, Wale steps into Kid Cudi’s world of down-to-earth messages hidden behind psychedelic beats. This song is perfect for pop radio and will more than likely become a single. We’re not sure whose idea it was to put Lloyd on the next track (Sabotage), but it’s too late to go back to the drawing board now. We get the whole Jackson 5 vibe behind the record, but Lloyd is no Michael. White Linen (Coolin’) features Ne-yo who delivers a surprisingly strong vocal on this 90s-esque track. “Slight Work” is a really fun track that jumps in the club—both Wale and Big Sean shine on this track without outshining each other. There is no question about why “Ambition” was chosen as the title track—listening to it is almost like listening to an open mic session—the song is not lyrically mesmerizing but the message is dope. “Illest Bitch” is probably the only track ever made that manages to balance its pro-women message with saying the word “bitch” a record 47 times. “No days off” tells us a lot about Wale’s work ethic and his future in the rap industry. It’s inspiring, uplifting songs like this that may very well put Wale in a box—simply because he does them so well. Wale didn’t disappoint with DC or Nothing— we expected a D.C. anthem and we got one. The guitar on this track is sick and the vocal even sicker. Like his previous radio tracks “That Way” is a sexy, but an irrelevant track--on the album it is overwhelmed by the magnitude of really, really good material.
4/5
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