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Ambition
by
Ambition Image
Metascore
69

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

User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

  • 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.
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Lotus Flower Bomb
I'mma rap to you real quick. I wanna enjoy the luxury of like, not knowing each other for real. Hol' up Lotus flower bomb, firefly When I'm low, she... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Pitchfork
    Nov 4, 2011
    67
    Everything is fast-moving, breezily entertaining, and patently ridiculous.
  5. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. 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").
  7. 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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. 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.… Expand
  2. WesWesDoe
    Nov 17, 2011
    6
    Ambition is alright, but would be extremely boring after a few listens. My favorites are "Ambition", "Focused", "Legendary", "That Way" andAmbition is alright, but would be extremely boring after a few listens. My favorites are "Ambition", "Focused", "Legendary", "That Way" and "Illest B*tch". The rest are forgettable or just plain bad.… Expand
  4. ChukBartholomew
    Nov 18, 2011
    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.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
  5. 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.… Expand
  6. 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.… Expand
  7. Jpeffer
    Nov 17, 2011
    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 aAmbition 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

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