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Drogas Wave
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Drogas Wave Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 82 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length studio release for the Chicago rapper features guest appearances from Bishop Edgar Jackson, Nikki Jean, Elena Pinderhughes, Simon Sayz, and Crystal Torres.
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Top Track

Haile Selassie
High, haile selassie High Haile Selassie High, high as an osprey I'm driving Poseidon you tried to stop me, from diving Lookin' for my Lookin' for... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Oct 2, 2018
    94
    The run starting at "XO" is the real DROGAS Light: a summery shimmer of pop-rap which hits breathtaking highs with the delicate jazzy musings of "King Nas", or "Happy Timbuck2 Day"'s Tribe Called Quest-esque tribute to a legendary Chicago DJ. The other album, where the Wave section of the album name is derived, which loosely comprises the first half of the album and revolves around a mythical group of vengeful drowned slaves, isn't just Lupe Fiasco's best but easily one of the greatest albums I've heard in recent memory.
  2. HipHopDX
    Oct 1, 2018
    76
    It’s clear that DROGAS Wave has enough value to be memorable but is less than the sum of its parts.
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 1, 2018
    70
    His obstinacy in its coordination and preoccupation with labyrinthine rhyme ensures that Drogas Wave is another good Lupe Fiasco album that should have been great.
  4. Pitchfork
    Oct 1, 2018
    62
    What makes Drogas Wave especially frustrating is the way you can squint and see the shape of his possible masterpiece inside.
  5. XXL
    Oct 1, 2018
    60
    At 24 tracks and 98 minutes long, the bloated project sounds like two distinct albums. Often we learn more from a story by what isn’t written, rather than by what is. Lupe spends so much time telling the story of everything, he leaves little room for the listener’s reflection on anything.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. emceecombs
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    Best hip hop album in ablong time, perhaps the best pf the decade, and maybe even Lupe's best piece of work. There isn't a single skippableBest hip hop album in ablong time, perhaps the best pf the decade, and maybe even Lupe's best piece of work. There isn't a single skippable track on this album. All of Lupe's skills are out on full display on this album, from his complex lyricism with multsyllabic rhymeschemes to his storytelling, his ability to evoke heartfelt emotions in his lyrics and the empathy on display on several tracks, this album is an instant classic.… Expand
  2. fotp
    Oct 9, 2018
    10
    Lupe at his best, with all the production and vocal backing that made us fans in the first place.
  4. Yeezus
    Oct 1, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The critics have either missed the entire concept of the album or reviewed Lupe and not Drogas Wave. Drogas Wave is a double disk album, the first part of the album name - Drogas- which is Drugs in Spanish (D.R.U.G.S. according to Lupe means Don't Ruin Us God Said) starts at track 10. The last two tracks of the album - Happy Timbuck2 Day and Mural Jr. serve as the closing credits for the whole project.
    The WAVE part of the album, the story of the Long Chains, an underwater slave liberation force, is covered up until track 9 of the album and closes out with a heartfelt story about Alan Kurdi, a 3-year-old refugee who died trying to escape Turkey on a boat in 2015.
    Drogas Wave is undeniably rap album of the year and the best of Lupe's career. Please support Lupe by buying the music.    … Expand
  5. orangeDoorhinge
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    I've never enjoyed a hip-hop album more than Drogas Wave. Lupe's deep, complex lyrics are a lot to unpack but his delivery and productionI've never enjoyed a hip-hop album more than Drogas Wave. Lupe's deep, complex lyrics are a lot to unpack but his delivery and production quality make it a joy to work through. I was worried that an album this long would have lots of filler but every song is intriguing. Drogas through WAV Files might be the best run of tracks I've ever heard. Don't overlook this album just because its long and the content takes time to digest. This is art.… Expand
  6. kmsid
    Oct 1, 2018
    10
    a masterpiece filled with mythology, history, and metaphors delivered with lyricism.
  7. SkyHi
    Oct 1, 2018
    10
    I have never been high on Lupe. Haven’t loved a Lupe album since The Cool. However, this album is anything short of amazing. Love theI have never been high on Lupe. Haven’t loved a Lupe album since The Cool. However, this album is anything short of amazing. Love the production, start to finish Lupe does an amazing job at creating a classic album that keeps me entertained and highly engaged the whole way through. Normally it’s hard to keep me listening through 24 tracks, which Lupe does with this album. I’m very impressed with this project, whether it’s adding aquatic elements to tell the story of the “The LongChains.” Lupe’s violin solo on Slave Ships, the beautiful retelling of Alan Forever and Joylah Forever or his incredibly complex lines that constantly wow me, which most lines took me multiple listens to figure them out. This is beautiful piece of art that deserves the title MASTERPIECE!… Expand
  8. MalX
    Oct 25, 2018
    9
    One of the most amazing albums in 2018 to date, its a shame that this album is underrated and being slept on. This is a classic Hip-Hop albumOne of the most amazing albums in 2018 to date, its a shame that this album is underrated and being slept on. This is a classic Hip-Hop album which deserves listening. The message and tone that Lupe Fiasco illustrates is a consistent and wonderfully wrapped project that has a lot of meaning n its message. Enjoyable and has replay value despite its heavy topics. A true masterpiece.… Expand

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