Release Date: November 1, 2011
Wale is a conundrum wrapped up in an enigma, and it’s a beautiful thing. The DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) representative has bounced around the different levels of the hip-hop world. From mixtape king to commercial flop, from head of the XXL freshman class to one of GQ’s Men of the Year, Wale Falorin has come full circle back to legendary lyricist with a uniqueness that puts him in a class of his own. Ambition is the antithesis of that. At a time when hip-hop may be at a peak not seen since the early days of Jay-Z and Nas and the end of Biggie and Pac’s all-too-short lives, Wale has reinvented himself by staying the same person. If that doesn’t make sense, look at it this way: armed with a laid-back, yet aggressive, flow that is as harmonious and melodic as it is fierce and potent, Wale has attacked every beat since the mixtapes days, yet he has adapted what he does for whatever the situation calls.
Early on in his career, it was feverishly ripping beats from local DMV acts, then it gradually progressed to artistically specific collaborations with underground legends such as 9th Wonder, followed by radio-friendly, yet not radio-received, music on his freshman release, Attention Deficit, to the sound that currently exists with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music imprint. The last one is the one that, by all accounts, shouldn’t work. A lyricist like Wale shouldn’t work seamlessly on tracks with cop-turned-cocaine-rap aficionado Ross and the ever angry and shirtless Meek Mill, but it does. With every “MMMMMMMMMMM Maybach Music” drop, the anticipation is that Wale’s voice isn’t going to translate on this, but he’s delivered works of art on almost every bar since signing with the Miami-based label. What started on MMG’s summer posse LP, Self Made, Vol. 1, is, not only continued, but antied-up on Ambition. Where Wale was just stealing the spotlight from his boss and hood-favorite, Mill, Wale relishes under the spotlight that’s given to him almost exclusively (the exception being the obligatory posse cut that shares the album’s name, a perfect party cut with Big Sean and some hook-help from professional captains—get it?—Kid Cudi, Lloyd and Jeremiah).
Ambition is, without a doubt, Wale’s best work to date, finally finding that balance of commercial appeal and hip-hop credibility.
Wale opens the LP with a fury, putting his pen-pushing talent on full display on “Don’t Hold Your Applause,” a call for his fans to know it’s cool to acknowledge this is pretty dope, “Double M Genius,” where he waxes poetic on basketball and his kick game with lines such as, “N***** is Kemba Walker, tryin’ to see my Pitt-fall,” and, “Foamposites, if you ain’t got ‘em, then you Penny-loafin.” Hoop and shoe fans will take great pride in those two lines, and heads will still be nodding for those who aren’t. “Legendary” is five minutes of unapologetic attacking on a helpless beat. “Slight Work” with the aforementioned Big Sean, is an alarm-sounding anthem for the rest of the hip-hop world. “Focused” is simply that: grabbing the goal of success, and the posse-cut title track is a three-part showcase of the best of the set’s talents. The ladies aren’t forgotten either with “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “Illest Bitch.”
Ambition is sick. It’s on point. Wale fans will love it. Fans of people who aren’t Wale should be joining that sect shortly after one listen.
Wale – Ambition tracklist:
- “Don’t Hold Your Applause”
- “Double M Genius”
- “Miami Nights”
- “Legendary”
- “Lotus Flower Bomb” (featuring Miguel)
- “Chain Music”
- “Focused” (featuring Kid Cudi)
- “Sabotage” (featuring Lloyd)
- “White Linen (Coolin)” (featuring Ne-Yo)
- “Slight Work” (featuring Big Sean)
- “Ambition” (featuring Meek Mill and Rick Ross)
- “Illest Bitch”
- “No Days Off”
- “DC or Nothing” (featuring Sam Dew)
- “That Way” (featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross)
