Ambition
by Wale
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. AllMusic
    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.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Nov 15, 2011
    75
    Ambition is just his latest pop grab, and in many respects, it's more realized than his last one.
  6. Billboard.com
    Nov 1, 2011
    74
    Ambition nods to Ross' cartoon grandiosity in "Miami Nights," where Wale details his collection of luxury goods over a jubilant horn riff. Characteristically, though, the album heads in plenty of other directions as well.
  7. Consequence
    Nov 7, 2011
    70
    Combined with a good ear for beats, this makes Ambition a strong sophomore release, one that shouldn't disappoint old fans while drawing in new ones.
  8. DJ Booth
    Nov 1, 2011
    70
    The overall result is an album that's easily enjoyable, but not particularly interesting.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 11, 2011
    67
    While his follow-up's party beats are sturdy, it's frustrating to hear him trade his brainy morality for shoutouts. [11 Nov 2011, p.75]
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  10. Pitchfork
    Nov 4, 2011
    67
    Everything is fast-moving, breezily entertaining, and patently ridiculous.
  11. RapReviews.com
    Nov 17, 2011
    65
    This is a truly throwaway fast food album. You will enjoy it for a while, and in a year, I guarantee that you will not be listening to it, save for a few songs (such as "Legendary" and "Ambition").
  12. 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.
  13. Slant Magazine
    Oct 31, 2011
    60
    Lloyd's chorus on "Sabotage" is easily the most immediately engaging portion of the album (it's actually quite a lot better than most of the material on his own overpraised King of Hearts), but the brunt of Ambition is as forgettable as big-budget rap gets.
  14. Paste Magazine
    Nov 8, 2011
    56
    It's just not very fun. Wale's conversion to Ross' braggy rap-excess didn't seem like a great idea in theory, and stretched out to an hour his updated, devolved craft starts to wear thin very, very quickly.
  15. PopMatters
    Nov 4, 2011
    50
    Ambition leaves listeners to answer the simple question of whether they want an exceptionally unchallenging album to listen to for an hour or not.
  16. BBC Music
    Oct 31, 2011
    40
    Ultimately, the witty lyricism of Wale's early material is too few and far between, as this set leans heavily on misogynistic themes and self-centred musings.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Mcritic19
    Nov 7, 2011
    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.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.… Full Review »
  2. iLloyd85
    Nov 15, 2011
    7
    Ambition is an ok album. Worth a couple listens and not much else. After "Attention Deficit" & his "The 11.1.11 Theory" mixtape I was reallyAmbition is an ok album. Worth a couple listens and not much else. After "Attention Deficit" & his "The 11.1.11 Theory" mixtape I was really expecting a lot from this album. I hate to say that I'm fairly disappointed. The lyrical content is nowhere near what he's shown he's capable of in the past. His rhyme structure has progressively become less complex and "Ambition" does little or nothing to change that. Still, all-in-all, this isn't a bad album, especially by today's hip-hop standards. This falls somewhere between the pop-fiend and indie fanboy, likely turning both off, just a bit.… Full Review »
  3. Gracheck
    Dec 1, 2011
    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 itA 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.… Full Review »
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