I truly do love music. I love not only the sound of it, but I love to analyze it and understand the origins of it. I try to spare people with the later, but I like the ‘FYI’ of it all. That being said, I think I mentioned some time ago I went through a phase when I just simply didn’t like what was being released. I was fearful that this was the first indication that I was getting old. Sometimes when I see people who have totally closed the door to anything remotely new and improved I wonder if they know when it all went south. I’m happy to report it wasn’t me. That music really was bad. Thankfully some good music just got released recently this past week and I was super excited to get my grubby little hands on it.
The much anticipated The Gifted from Wale and Born Sinner from J. Cole just hit the shelves. What I love about both of these artists is that they’re hungry. They’re talented emcees that have both struggled with being on the cusp of super stardom. Here’s the skinny on them.
So Wale is three deep in and we’ve literally seen him starting from the bottom. The established team over at Interscope sadly fumbled around with him. But surprisingly somehow, this weird union with Rick Ross actually worked and really put Wale in a position to be seen. Now we’re on round three with The Gifted and there’s no excuses this time around.
Standouts include “LoveHate Thing” featuring a Marvin Gaye sample and the sultry, silky voice of Sam Dew. It’s a nice fit to the “New Black Soul” label Wale’s been toting around lately. Wale’s flow here is the epitome of why he’s loved. He’s a passionate emcee and that shines as he describes the passive aggressive hate that erupts when success is achieved – even you’re not quite at the top.
“And it’s rare when I’m anywhere with too many heads
N—-s jealous and never tell it until they stare
How could you blame us envy?
We do the same thing for a living”
“Bad (Remix)” caught a lot of flack because it wasn’t exponentially different from its processor. That’s fair. However, the draw I had to it was around the lyrics – which I think was the intent. Rihanna is a pretty polarizing artist. At the time the track was released, it was right on the heels of her breakup with Chris Brown – after their domestic violence spat and after she was warned that their reunion was a bad idea. Her life in general is one that’s marred by half truths and lies. So to hear Wale give a glimpse of her it lyrically was a coup for fans. On the flip side, the original “Bad” featuring Tiara Thomas was a perfectly good song. However, I have to be honest. I can barely enjoy it now. This is what happens when life comes before artistry. So the story goes Wale was grooming Tiara and ready to sign her when at the last minute – and unknowing to Wale – she decided to go with another team. That’s unfortunate. Some things were said and basically that song – to me – comes with some baggage. I like the Rihanna version and wish Wale would have pushed her brief rap-like interjections a little more. The song would have been MUCH better for it. She could have pulled it off.
I love the track to “Clappers” featuring Nicki Minaj & Juicy J and that’s where it stops. I respect that Nicki has her Barbz fan base and I’m a personal fan of Juicy J. He has a certain niche in the game – love it or hate it – and when people want to create that pole anthem, it’s him that they go to. Now that I have all that out the way…. Wale, why on earth did you do this song? SMH. You’re better than this and I’m not sure that I need to say much more. Nicki and Juicy are not on your level. It is what it is.
For those seeking a little substance, “Black Hero” offers food for thought while “88” brings some cleaver references to sports and Jordans.
Overall The Gifted is a solid album. There’s no doubt that Wale has the talent of a great. However, he seems to be in this weird purgatory of being on the cusp of commercial success and a backpacker. What’s going to get him over the edge is really being a little more deliberate on who he wants to be as an artist. I almost feel bad saying that because the essence of artistry is that it has many faces. But I feel like this wide range we saw of Wale on The Gifted was less about diversity and more for safety. Listen, no one will be able to say this was a bad album. At the same time, I don’t know if anyone will declare it a classic either.
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