Wale follows with a remix of "Bad," going back-and-forth with Rihanna about sex on thundering bass. A formulaic song about fat asses, one where Juicy J actually says "make that ass clap, I don't care about that cellulite," is far from redefining the culture: it's perpetuating the culture's weakest elements. But then he falls right back down with "Clappers," a party song that starts with "shawty got a big ol' butt!"ĭespite a fierce guest verse from Nicki Minaj, "Clappers" is worrisome for an artist who claimed he's "trying to redefine the culture and renovate the soul" just seven songs before. "Vanity" showcases Wale's proclivity for self-aware lyrics ("how awesome is this narcissism?," he begins), but it's drowned out in autotune hooks and a beat that sounds identical to the second-half of Justin Timberlake's "LoveStoned." Wale bounces back on the Cee-Lo Green-assisted "Gullible," where he talks about Twitter, television and the racial perception of Barack Obama over swooping horns and strong guitar riffs. It's right after this that the album takes an unexpected dip south. Momentum builds with "LoveHate Thing," in which Wale battles shifting perceptions in his hometown and the lessons he's learned during his ascent to stardom. “My affinity grows as the city gets cold," he boasts over a Marvin Gaye sample. “I’m trying to redefine the culture and renovate the soul."
The album kicks off with "The Curse of the Gifted," a brilliant intro with sprawling guitars and dramatic keys. “Now my dreams is nothing more than minimal thoughts/My Gs gon fluctuate those speakers to God," he raps, setting a putative tone of self-reflection. The Gifted is palatable enough for fans of both Wales, although the inconsistency leaves a bit to be desired.
#THE GIFTED LYRICS WALE SERIES#
Its strongest songs (and man, they're really strong) point out the exact pitfalls of its precipitous lows its emphasis on live instrumentation and "new black soul" undermined by a series of uninspired club songs midway through its subject matter varying from the bold and introspective to the most surface-level topics of hip-hop. The Gifted is challenging and erratic, pinning old Wale against new in different segments of the album. Wale said that the music would speak for itself, and ultimately it does, in more ways than you'd expect. Rising to prominence through relentless mixtape work and an underdog mentality (the dude landed a collaboration with the biggest pop star in the world and still struggled to sell units), the DC emcee's guest verse on Waka Flocka Flame's club smash catapulted him to stardom and subsequent accusations of selling out.Īfter radio exposure and a rocky second LP, Ambition, expectations were sky high for The Gifted, released Tuesday through MMG and Atlantic Records.
To devout hip-hop fans, there are two Wales: the go-go rhyming, Seinfeld-obsessed emcee before his feature on "No Hands," and the watered-down Maybach Music cohort after it.
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