@ the end of the day…Does Wale have “ambition”?
Ambition is defined as “a desire for a accomplishment, distinction, power, or wealth and the willingness to strive for its attainment”. Wale feels as though his life embodies the very definition of this as he strives for “legendary” status with his release of “Ambition”. Unfortunately, many hip hop fans may beg to differ. Many feel that he has lost his edge, blaming Maybach Music Group for stunting his growth as an artist. Many feel that his new found arrogance has made him delusional. So, this brings us to the question of the article: Does Wale have “ambition“?
Ever since Wale gained hip hop head nods with “100 Miles & Running” and “The Mixtape about Nothing” (which is tied as my favorite concept project to ever be created) and many other mixtapes, it was obvious that he had the ambition to be known with hip hop greats. He received a placement on Madden ’09 with his track “Breakdown” and dropped “Attention Deficit“. Regardless of sales (and shipping problems), it was a powerful album. Due to not being considered of having “commercial success”, many people felt as though Wale was headed on a decline. As he signed with Maybach Music Group, many felt as though Rick Ross was going to have a negative influence on his future projects. They felt that he was getting away from his “go go” roots and his great lyrics that he had before vanished. Many felt that this move was more for the money and not the love of hip hop.
In a previous article I wrote (Is Maybach Music Group really the Mami Heat of Rap?), I considered Wale the “Lebron James of hip hop”. Just like Lebron, when Wale made his “trade” his “fans” felt it was more of a selfish move. However, both moved for the same reason…to have better odds of having a legendary status. With that, he received the “villain” title. Just like small forwards, Wale usually scores most of the “points” for the team (stepping out of majority of commercial verses and actually bringing deeper bars than his other “team mates” and also showing that he can “score” by making great mixtapes). Wale has also went on the defense on his beat selection as well. Whether he is rapping over a Best Kept Secret, Judah, 9th Wonder or Lex Luger beat…his lyrical content remains to still been the same. Fans complained that he didn’t have enough “riding music” from “Attention Deficit” (which I think was the direction he was going…hence the title), now he’s making more commercial sounding tracks. Maybe his arrogance is being mistaken for frustration from support of his fans?
Ambition is currently out and is being well received. Many are saying that it’s Wale’s best work yet. Wale’s twitter timeline has been filled up over the past couple of days with encouragement, support and RT’s of fans as well as celebs speaking on the project . Whether you jumped on his band wagon from his current buzz or have been a die-hard fan, one thing is for sure. @ the end of the day…Wale’s desire to let everyone know he has ambition for Ambition to get a Grammy is well seen.