Ambition - Wale
Ambition Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The second album for the Washington, DC, rapper features guest appearances by Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Jeremih, Lloyd, Miguel, Meek Mill, and Rick Ross.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. XXL
    Nov 1, 2011
    80
    The sonic mood of Ambition reflects its title and author and proves, on the whole, far warmer than his debut.
  2. HipHopDX
    Nov 17, 2011
    80
    With a tight-knit collection of features and palpable confidence exuded in his lyrics, Ambition is Wale's most cohesive and likewise enthralling project thus far in his brisk career.
  3. All Music Guide
    Oct 31, 2011
    80
    As far as why it all hangs together so well, credit goes to Wale's talent and his strong personality, which here has grown into an interesting combination of Lil Wayne and Plies, with a little 50 Cent smirk and bit of Drake's phrasing thrown in for good measure.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Nov 8, 2011
    60
    He takes advantage of the do-over, lacing expensive-sounding beats from the likes of Diplo and Lex Luger with dialed-in flows. He's too quick to reach for sexist cliches; cheap shots at groupies and gold diggers undercut moments of real emotion.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ChukBartholomew
    6
    If this is your first time listening to Wale, you'll think that this is a generally cohesive album in theme and the sounds he's aiming for. But for everybody who knows that he's capable of ('More About Nothing' might be his best ever, even Grammy worthy), there will be a lot of missing depth replaced by his constant declarations of ambition along with some vanity. A close listen to "Chain Music" tells us exactly how he got here, and while it's an enjoyable song like a lot on the album, you might be left shaking your head too. My full review here: http://tinyurl.com/7kbnhhy… Expand
  2. Gracheck
    6
    A few tracks are great, but most are standard hip hop. Wale has talent though, and this WAS a good album. but just not the amazing one it could have been.… Expand
  3. Mcritic19
    5
    Well this album was suppose to be a classic let Wale tell it. He also said it would be better than "Reasonable Doubt" which is also false. This album was ok at best. I expected so much more out of Wale. His mixtapes "More about nothing" & "the 11.1.11 theory" were both amazing. His lyrics for the album dumbed way down, his word play just isnt there and he went away from why many people liked him. The album is too up tempo and I as a fan and critic knows Wale sounds much better with softer beats so he can be very poetic.… Expand
  4. Jpeffer
    4
    Ambition is a very forgettable album. The production on it is great but Wale needs to better his lyrics and change up his flow every once in a while because he sounds the same on just about every song. It's worth the listen if you're a Wale fan I suppose but other than that I would say skip it.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. The Complete Columbia Album Collection - Johnny Cash
    Metascore: 99
  2. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 91
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 89
  7. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  8. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  9. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  10. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 88
  11. Music For the Quiet Hour/The Drawbar Organ EPs - Shackleton
    Metascore: 87
  12. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  13. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  14. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  15. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  16. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  17. Rage Against the Machine XX [20th Anniversary Edition] - Rage Against the Machine
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. In Time - The Mavericks
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »