Victory Lap
by Nipsey Hussle
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Feb 16, 2018
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. HipHopDX
    Mar 13, 2018
    88
    Minor potholes aside, Victory Lap not only boosts Nipsey’s stock but it raises expectations for the next time he eyes a checkered flag. The benchmark for quality has been set and the race to officially hit the championship podium is only getting revved up.
  2. XXL
    Mar 13, 2018
    80
    There is no denying how pleasantly digestible Victory Lap, despite the minor idleness. The beats bump, the flows follow suit and the messages of humbly hustling are crystal clear.
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 13, 2018
    80
    Victory Lap is not just a celebration from the scrappy MC: it's a deserved moment marking his journey from Crenshaw to the majors.
  5. Pitchfork
    Mar 13, 2018
    78
    The hour-long album honors all the work he’s put in and looks back at all he’s achieved, but it also looks forward to all he has yet to build and all those he can still inspire.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 13, 2018
    70
    Although there's some room for improvement, Victory Lap is still a solid effort with the promise of better to come.
  7. The Guardian
    Mar 13, 2018
    60
    At least half the album feels like padding, and there’s nothing with the sheer rage and power of his verses on 2016 anti-Trump classic FDT. Perhaps Hussle isn’t quite ready for the victory lap just yet.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. clem666
    Apr 17, 2023
    6
    It do feels like this project benefited from more popularity than it normally should have regarding the artist's death a year after itsIt do feels like this project benefited from more popularity than it normally should have regarding the artist's death a year after its release.
    In my humble opinion it is not that bad, its main flaw being that it is a sequence of tracks of irregular quality. 'Succa Proof' and 'Loaded Bases' are two evocative examples of songs that shouldn't have been added on this record.

    Some other tracks appear as classic and predictable bangers such as 'Grindin All My Life' or 'Last Time That I Checc'd'. I guess that these are not far from what Nipsey did the best as gangsta rap flavour. He however did take advantage of his fame to to bring together artists of an impressive diversity. I mean having Marsha Ambrosius, Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar and CeeLo Green surely is a true prowess. But it also unfortunately contributes to the lack of identity of 'Victory Lap'. Some of these big names sadly did not even shine as expected during their verses. The first and last I mentioned are as surprisingly as sadly forgettable - and that's a major shame.

    I can't deny that I was truly impressed by some hidden gems here and there as 'Double Up' or 'Blue Laces 2', but is was a surprise because of the overall lack of rhythm I observed all along.
    RIP Nipsey Hussle    … Full Review »
  2. Fredoo
    Jun 11, 2019
    10
    Greatest west coast album ever . NH THA GREAT . Rest easy . LLNH . THE MARATHON CONTINUES
  3. Respondent
    Apr 14, 2019
    0
    Wow this album is garbage. The few highlights come from featured artist. Even k-dot was pretty lame on his feature. One long boring flow,Wow this album is garbage. The few highlights come from featured artist. Even k-dot was pretty lame on his feature. One long boring flow, same rhyme cadence every songe, simple word play if you can even call it word play. Otherwise this album would of gotten no love and crappy (crappier) sales. Atlantic records is going to ride the wave and use Nipsey's death for publicity and sales. But don't be fooled this album is not good.… Full Review »
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