---
title: Album Review: Wale – The Gifted
author: Eleanor Castellani
published: 2013-08-11
modified: 2013-08-23
section: Music
tags: Album Review, Bad, Hip Hop, Maybach, The Gifted, Wale
canonical: https://www.stasheverything.com/album-review-wale-the-gifted/
source: Stash Everything
---

# Album Review: Wale – The Gifted

[![wale gifted](https://www.stasheverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/wale-gifted-300x300.jpg)](https://www.stasheverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/wale-gifted.jpg)

Hip Hop fans were in for a treat as June held high velocity of formidable releases. With *Born Sinner and Yeezus*turning up the heat, **Wale** remains a polarizing talent coming in with his latest triumphant, *The Gifted.*

The DC native slow cooked a buzz with acclaimed mixtapes – *Mixtape About Nothing*and*100 Miles Running*before debuting with *Attention Deficit.*Featuring pop queenLady Gaga on the hit single *Chillin’,*the LP border lined mainstream success, residing at No. 21 on the charts.

His 180 degree post-album turn marked prevention in slipping off, rolling with Rick Rock under Maybach Music Group, *Ambition*in its creative upturn secured a seat on the charts at No.2, and saw first Grammy Nominated track *Lotus Flower Bomb,*featuring Miguel, holding a ‘Diced Pineapples’ aroma.

Snares and stirring horns make for a distinguishable Wale piece, *Slight Work’’s*infectious menacing beat coupled with fluid, nonchalant egotism was a club anthem hit, quickly making way to the top of every hip hop choreographer’s routine list. As one of the best and most criticized, the bonafide talent adopts a ‘new black soul’ motto, employing thoughtful, creative music and borrowing a Ja Rule x Marvin Gaye vibe.

*Simple Man,*served as his interpretation of the late great Tupac, a brazen infusion tying together the background feel of *Hail Mary,*with the nimble wordplay of*How Do You Want* *It.*Not without its share of ignorant spice, *Clappers*with Juicy J and Nicki Minaj, a track with more bounce than Big Sean’s entire discography, samples EU’s *Da Butt.*The instrumental carries a soaring, rushing sound with percussions and echo of an industrial warehouse. It’s a track that’ll be seated in a jet en route to a go-go bar near you.

Impeccable steeze and effortless swagger comes in the form of *’88,’*tributing Michael Jordan at the peak of his performance in the year 1988, Wale aligns his current standing status with MJ during his reign. Tapping *Just Blaze*on the mixing, a widely credited producer who’s whipped up sounds for Jay-Z’s *The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2,*and hit single *Live Your Life*by Rihanna and T.I.

With it’s definite share of sneaker references ‘*eleven pairs of 7’s,’ ‘grape swisher, my 5’s on,’*slapped over the preach-like background vocals, makes for a victory anthem feel. RnB fans may gravitate towards the artist following his window-fogging remake of *Bad,*Rihanna steaming up the soundscape with poignantly provocative croons, a stellar renditionto Tiara Thomas’ take. The descending bass line and synthetic 70’s vinyl warmth, sampled from Trillville’s *Some Cut.*

Although *Vanity‘s*bravado allows you to smell Maybach from a mile away, **Wale** didn’t adhere to the formulas as much as we’d think, and maintains a humbling persona with his *‘no care for fame just want the money’*mantra.

*The Gifted*employs a surmounting ensemble of collaborators, well accredited producers and resonating samples, setting the bar high for lyrical game where short-changed vocals stand out like a missed bar. As though carefully weaving in and out of erratically mean, powerful sound-sphere in high tempo tracks like *’88’,’*almost like falling a pace behind in a track race with Usain Bolt. Where covering each inch of the spectrum from lush, mid-tempo ballads to mad rush strip club anthems, and full ranging collaborators works effectively in his favor, the formula falls short on lyrical cards.

Tapping between a nonchalant Kendrick feel, to an over-the-top, narcissistic Kanye vibe, leaves a middle ground standpoint in mediocrity. Although not without its minor faults and residual potential to be a little more if the vocals matched the gold platter chassis, ***The Gifted***was an impressive album overall.

Backed by consistent fluidity and stellar collaborative hooks, the LP has a point guard bodywork of punch and a resonating sound.

**You may also want to have a peek at these reviews:*[Eloquor](https://www.stasheverything.com/lifestyle/album-review-eloquor-from-the-oceans-of-karma/), [J.Cole](https://www.stasheverything.com/lifestyle/album-review-j-cole-born-sinner/), [Lovelace](https://www.stasheverything.com/lifestyle/film-review-lovelace/)*

   [![wale news](https://www.stasheverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/wale-wallpaper_150165-1280x1024-300x300.jpg)](https://www.stasheverything.com/wale-wallpaper_150165-1280x1024/)   wale news   [![wale-news](https://www.stasheverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wale-news-300x300.jpg)](https://www.stasheverything.com/wale-recruits-jerry-seinfeld-for-album-about-nothing/wale-news/)