Drogas Wave
by Lupe Fiasco
  • Record Label: N/A
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2018
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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  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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 82
  3. Negative: 9 out of 82
  1. Yeezus
    Oct 1, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link 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.    … Full Review »
  2. tejmunde
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    Absolute masterpiece. Insanely layered storytelling mixed with mythology and a wonderfully unique concept to convey the message of fightingAbsolute masterpiece. Insanely layered storytelling mixed with mythology and a wonderfully unique concept to convey the message of fighting against oppression, being free and turning even the worst events into something positive. It's a shame that some reviewers are more concerned with rushing a review for views instead of letting this sit and taking their time with it. It's truly an amazing album.… Full Review »
  3. 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!… Full Review »
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