REVIEW: WALE - EVERYTHING IS A LOT

3.5/5

Washington Wizard

A lot is going on these days, especially in D.C., but one thing remains the same. It's still not pronounced "whale". Or "WALL-E", for that matter. Four years after the 'Folarin II' sequel, one of the best rappers in the game, Wale, is back with his eight wonder of an album, 'everything is a lot'. And it really is for Olubowale Victor Akintimehin. The Grammy nominated, 'Lotus Flower Bomb' rapper has had 'Ambition', ever since the 'Attention Deficit' of his 2009 debut that even cut records with Lady Gaga ('Chillin''). And from there, he's proved to be one of 'The Gifted'. Making albums, like mixtapes, with Seinfeld, all whilst showing his 'Shine'. 'Wow...That's Crazy', he said in 2019. And it really is for the Chango 'American God', whose style could even make NBA star P.J. Tucker put his sneakers back in the locker. But flossing on rhymes is where Wale really shines, and with this long-awaited, highly-anticipated rap album of the year, he gives us everything he has over the perfect pastel portrait of some amazing album artwork. On the cover and on wax.

Cutting some freestyle rhymes on LeBron James and Maverick Carter's 'The Shop' talk a fortnight ago, Wale showed his flow was ready to go. And here you have some hits ('Mirronnabenz (Feat. BNYX®)') that bring black and white bangers back like Busta. The ambitious girl dedicated 'Where To Start', Benny like 'Blanco' and the 'City On Fire', for Washington, featuring Odeal, completes the single set for this one. But monster collaborations across the board compel this CD, cassette, vinyl and stream even more. 'Watching Us' with Leon Thomas, Wale brings Teni and Seyi Vibez along for the ride of 'YSF'. Whilst ODUMODUBLVCK in all caps shows us his 'Big Head'. Big artists like Ty Dolla $ign and Nino Paid help Wale strive to 'Survive'. Even in closing 'Lonely' times, with Shaboozey as company on the curtain. But things get ballad beautiful with Andra Day on 'Like I'. Not to mention, the hallowed highlight 'Fly Away', featuring Sheryl Ann Padre, that samples the sweet 'Pretty Wings' ("Away from me too secretly/The way that love could be/When you are not with me/I had to leave, I had to leave") by the great neo-soul of Maxwell. And just wait until you hear the sample on 'Belly', like Nas and DMX.

A beast of an album continues with songs you know, like 'Michael Fredo', for a new Godfather of life, rhymes and times. It's a classic 'Conundrum' over drums that begin the album before Wale tells us, "Slow down, the fast life is crazy/Those lights in that town is dangerous/I been tried, this lifestyle is not for you, you, you/Slow down, the fast life is crazy/Those lights in that town is dangerous/I know now, my love language solitude, 'tude" on the profound 'Power And Problems'. And popping 'Corner Bottles' with a voice iconic to today, like the Method Man's and Q-Tip's before him, Akintimehin accentuates "They say heartbreak is the best teacher, I done been here before/Did a lot of songs and a lot of features, y'all don't wanna hear no more/The heavyset women are singing their note, that mean it's over, over, over/I wasn't ready, you told me to go/Keep all my clothes, just give me some closure". Bringing the breakup (it's a) rap back, even darker than Drake. But it's 'Tomorrow Today' that really sees the future that Wale owns, right now. With wise words earned. "Money isn't effort, effort isn't time/Hope you never know the difference, I give you all of mine." This is everything. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Mirronnabenz (Feat. BNYX®)', 'Belly', 'Fly Away (Feat. Sheryl Ann Padre)'.

Spin This: Wale - 'The Album About Nothing'.