Folarin (album) explained

Folarin
Type:Mixtape
Artist:Wale
Cover:Wale Folarin Cover.JPG
Released:December 24, 2012
Recorded:2012
Genre:Hip hop
Length:70:39
Label:The Board Administration, Maybach Music, Warner Bros.
Producer:Danny!, Aaron Wess, LG, No Credit, Rico Beats, Beat Billionaire, Tiara Thomas, Kelson Camp, Jake One, Cardo, Nottz, Joe K, Cheeze Beatz, Tone P., Willie B, Diplo, Austin Millz, Key Wane, AppleJuice Kid
Prev Title:The Eleven One Eleven Theory
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Folarin is the eighth mixtape by American rapper Wale, it was released on December 24, 2012.[1] The mixtape features guest appearances from Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Tiara Thomas, Scarface, Nipsey Hussle, French Montana, Chinx Drugz, Jhené Aiko, Travis Porter, Trinidad James, Hit-Boy, and Chrisette Michele among others.[2]

Background

The mixtape was announced on November 14, 2012.[3] On November 14, 2012, the first song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Freedom of Speech".[4] On December 13, 2012, the song "Back 2 Ballin'" featuring French Montana was released.[5] On December 17, 2012, the second song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Too Much Talk".[6] On December 20, 2012, the third song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "The Blessings".[7] On January 17, 2013, the music video was released for "Never Never".[8] On February 17, 2013, the music video was released for "Let a Nigga Know" featuring Chinx Drugz and Fatz.[9] On February 21, 2013, the music video was released for "Street Runner".[10] On March 20, 2013, the music video was released for "The Show" featuring Rick Ross and Aaron Wess.[11] On March 20, 2013, the music video was released for "Bad" featuring Tiara Thomas.[12] "Bad" would also go on to be released as a single and has so far peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Thomas' first Hot 100 entry, and one of Wale's most successful singles of his career. On April 23, 2013, the music video was released for "The One Eyed Kitten Song" featuring Travis Porter.[13]

Critical reception

Folarin was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX said "In Wale's quest to bridge the gap between progressive Hip Hop and the lowest common denominator, his ongoing identity crisis risks confusing the large audience he caters to. With Folarin aiming to be all things to all people, its primary drawback is the inconsistency that accompanies this sort of branding. Though disappointing in some regards, Folarin manages to win with intense wordplay during its more inspired moments."[14] Calvin Stovall of BET gave the mixtape three out of five stars, saying "On Folarin, Wale bounces through the mainstream rap universe, sampling the talents of his peers and giving fans the occasional flashes from his past needed to keep getting minutes from Coach Rozay. By underground and mainstream standards, he "made it." Folarin is not a definite swerve in either direction, but it certainly justifies one more strong push from the Maybach Music Group mothership. His helter skelter flow and intricate rhyme patterns are a return to his essence that will satisfy fans of his early mixtapes."

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Music: Wale – ‘Folarin’ (Mixtape). Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. December 24, 2012. December 24, 2012.
  2. Web site: Horowitz. Steven J. Wale "Folarin" Mixtape Download & Stream. HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. December 24, 2012. December 27, 2012.
  3. Web site: Horowitz. Steven J. Wale Announces New Mixtape "Folarin. HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. November 14, 2012. November 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121116074928/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21883/title.wale-announces-new-mixtape-folarin/. November 16, 2012. dead.
  4. Web site: Homie. Big. New Music: Wale "Freedom of Speech. Rap Radar. November 14, 2012. November 14, 2012.
  5. Web site: Homie. Big. New Music: Wale x French Montana "Back 2 Ballin. Rap Radar. December 17, 2012. December 17, 2012.
  6. Web site: Homie. Big. New Music: Wale "Too Much Talk. Rap Radar. December 17, 2012. December 17, 2012.
  7. Web site: Dot. B.. New Music: Wale "The Blessings. Rap Radar. December 20, 2012. December 20, 2012.
  8. Web site: Video: Wale "Never Never . Complex Media . . January 17, 2013 . January 17, 2013 . Martin, Andrew.
  9. Web site: Let a N**** Know | Wale | Music Video . https://web.archive.org/web/20130220124416/http://www.mtv.com/videos/wale/880930/let-a-n-know.jhtml . dead . February 20, 2013 . . February 17, 2013 . February 17, 2013.
  10. Web site: Video: Wale – ‘Street Runner’. Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 21, 2013. February 21, 2013.
  11. Video: Wale f/ Rick Ross & Aaron Wess – ‘The Show’ . . March 20, 2013 . March 20, 2013.
  12. Video: Wale f/ Tiara Thomas – ‘Bad’ . . March 20, 2013 . March 20, 2013.
  13. Web site: New Video: Wale x Travis Porter "One Eyed Kitten Song" . Rap Radar . 2013-04-23 . 2013-06-07.
  14. News: Fairfax. Jesse. Wale Folarin (Mixtape Review). January 2, 2013. HipHopDX. January 2, 2013.