Wale "Ambition"

                The second album was not as musically disparate as the debut, but still had Ambition. But from some of the verses I worry if that ambition was to have as much fun in the bed as possible. You probably could have called the album “focused” and that might have been a little more accurate, and it would have a great title track. “Don’t Hold Your Applause” because the opener may have you clapping till your hands are red. Ok, maybe not that charismatic, but he is certainly ready. He’s "Double M Genius." The musical accompaniment shows it; full of brass and bravado, while the wordplay is full of it (attitude) : “I'm trend-setting, despite of an awful debut” but if you ask me, truthfully, I must disagree with you.                                     These “Miami Nights” are not only full of memories, good and bad, but remind me of some American gangster. When Wale delivers the hook of a song that proclaims his drive to be “Legendary” he reminds me of Wiz Khalifa, which might be the opposite. He makes a reference to the great wonder known as Stevie; which I remember “Limitations for cowards, this is Shay mixed with Malcolm/This is anti-Mark McGuire it takes patience for power.” Miguel joins Wale on this soulful, beat heavy, slo-mo, not counting flow, made for Sunday Morning, but a “Lotus Flower Bomb.” The next song has a nice flow, made  for “Chain Music,” but sounds pornographic though. The chorus I mean is catchy, but the verses kinda sketchy; they must be ready for time made for sexy. As said before the hypothetical title track is “Focused” and features wizard Cud and his trademark vocalic stoner stamp in the chorus, and if you listen to the rest there is a message for us.              I became a fan of Lloyd after hearing his stellar 2011 release; his voice graces this track with a soulful, jazzy, sax lead accompaniment that does not “Sabotage” the impact of the song, but improves it. Yes, this was a single for a reason. The last album he was chillin’ and this time he is now coolin’ with Neyo wearing “White Linen.” Ok, that is not exactly what I meant; they just worked together on the song, he says “I ain't married, but I'm tryna find a keeper/If she cook and keep her v***** like a secret/And we f***, I beast up and throw a little peace up.” I like the vocals of Ne-Yo, but the song seems to fail in comparison to the previous track. If this track needs “Slight Work,” then I just need to know what it is; it takes a few listens to appreciate though, after you get past the slightly annoying sirens and braggadocio. The title track’s verses are not only full of “Ambition,” but they document it as well, and Rick Ross and Meek Mill deliver some poignant verses too. “Illest B****” has a way of being disrespectful and simultaneously its opposite, but the title is where that ends; praise for his lover, while I give praise for the song. “B**** I'm Ray Charles/No days off!/ Takin' breaks will leave you broken/ And we can't fall.” If I may be blunt the focus is on the lyrics, and that is what it should be, instrumentals may sound like mixtape, but that does not equal low quality. “No Days Off” are taken by Wale as he proclaims, so you will remember his name, and this pursuit was not in vain. “In the face of adversity, I prepared a verse to see/Or hear rather...”  opens “DC or Nothing.” From that adversity, arose an even stronger person, and better song. Rick Ross returns, Jeremih joins in, and Wale will keep on rapping, to quit would be a sin.                                                                                                   If only this song was part of the album, and a single at that, because the “Bait” would be very tempting concerning energy, delivery, flow, and accompaniment; it should spike a lot of interest in the album anyways.  Favorites: Don't Hold Your Applause, Double M Genius, Legendary, Lotus Flower Bomb, Focused, Sabotage, Slight Work, Ambition, Illest B****, DC or Nothing, and Bait