Drogas Wave
by Lupe Fiasco
  • Record Label: N/A
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2018
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
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  1. 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
  2. tejmunde
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    Absolute 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 anAbsolute 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.… Expand
  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 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 veryI 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
  4. Doxxman5
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    nearly perfect, like Joanna Newsom's triple album came to rap and went more insane
  5. kmsid
    Oct 1, 2018
    10
    a masterpiece filled with mythology, history, and metaphors delivered with lyricism.
  6. 7sixes
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    Amazing hip hop album. Front to back with some of the most complex songs with some of the best beats that Lu has rapped on. Easy 10/10
  7. 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 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 longI'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
  8. thewrongguy
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    There hasn't been a single skippable song on this 24 track long project and I'm bumping this **** in the whip all day which makes this album easily a 10 out of 10!
  9. Teliottmansa
    Oct 19, 2018
    10
    Amazing!! Expansive, yet somehow, it is cohesive and conceptually sound. I wish this LP got the shine that it deserves.
  10. fotp
    Oct 9, 2018
    10
    Lupe at his best, with all the production and vocal backing that made us fans in the first place.
  11. 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 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.
  12. 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 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 severalBest 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
  13. ahram17
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    I'll the the first to admit, Drogas Light, F&L2 & Lasers were all fairly tame/weak, but we now know he had to release those just to get of Atlantic Records. (If you're new to this album, focus on the word ATLANTIC for a few mins and re-listen). But his first indy project right here. Wow. It took me years to appreciate all the levels of genius on The Cool. But this has the potential toI'll the the first to admit, Drogas Light, F&L2 & Lasers were all fairly tame/weak, but we now know he had to release those just to get of Atlantic Records. (If you're new to this album, focus on the word ATLANTIC for a few mins and re-listen). But his first indy project right here. Wow. It took me years to appreciate all the levels of genius on The Cool. But this has the potential to overtake it. I need more time with it, but even now, I can appreciate it just on a sonic level and just scratching the surface of the lyrics, concepts and narratives. When I get to the next level? And start understanding ALL the concepts, I actually can't wait. And when I can start reciting every line, damn.. Somehow Kdot gets all the credit these days, and it's deserved because Kendrick is incredible. But honestly, this album right here tops everything Kendrick has ever done. And I'm a big Kendrick fan. Sorry to compare them, but sometimes you need to compare with where the industry is at today. The album is masterpiece already and is getting better with every listen. I just hope enough people actually buy it for Lupe to realise his work is acknowledged and appreciated. 9.5/10.… Expand
  14. nomma47
    Oct 4, 2018
    10
    Best HIP HOP album oF 2018. Don't believe the critics! real lovers of hip hop will have a deeply profound respect for the concept and story of the album; let alone the execution! 9.9999/10.
  15. jsimpo
    Mar 21, 2019
    10
    For me this album is criminally critically underrated. This is on a part with Kendrick Lamar's GKMC. The concept of resurrection, fight and spirit runs all the way through this album. WAV Files and Jonylah Forever are standouts for me, but I wouldn't say theres a weak song on the album. Wordplay and lyricism is good as ever and the production in wonderful! Looking forward to Skulls
  16. Manny003
    Jan 19, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Simply put, Lupe is the greatest hip hop artists to grace a mic and proves it on this album by transcending rap. This album deserves every accolade available… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
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