| Drogas Wave | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 21, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2016 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 98:25 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Lupe Fiasco chronology | ||||
| ||||
Drogas Wave (stylized as DROGAS Wave) [1] is the seventh studio album by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released by 1st and 15th Productions and Thirty Tigers on September 21, 2018. This album is a follow-up to his 2017 album, Drogas Light .
Lupe Fiasco announced the album on September 13, 2018, revealing its release date, cover art and track listing via Twitter. [1] [2]
The album is the second part of a planned trilogy of albums, with Drogas Light as its predecessor followed by Skulls, and was slated for a 2016 release with the two albums. [3]
In a 2018 Billboard interview, Fiasco revealed the main idea of the project:
It’s about a group of slaves on a slave ship on their way to Africa to the West Indies and they are thrown off the boat. But they didn’t die. They stayed alive and they lived under the sea. And they dedicated their lives to sinking slave ships -- so they became this super, underwater force against slavery. It’s like a super-deep story that I am building on different fronts. But that’s the main idea and the source material for the album. [4]
In a 2018 Complex interview, Fiasco said:
Drogas Wave is based on a story about a group of slaves that jumped off a slave ship transporting them from Africa. The slaves did not drown, and instead somehow managed to live under the sea. They spent the rest of their underwater existence sinking slave ships. ‘Drogas’ is the Spanish word for drugs. I made it an acronym which stands for ‘Don’t Ruin Us God Said’. [5]
Because of reported leaks, the album release date was released a week early on September 21, 2018, instead of the initial release date, September 28, 2018. [6] [7]
On March 15, 2013, Fiasco released a song called "Jonylah Forever" on his SoundCloud page in honor of the 6-month-old infant Jonylah Watkins, who was shot five times while her father was changing her diaper in a minivan and imagines what the infant's life could have been had she survived the March 11 shooting. [8] [9]
On October 24, 2014, Fiasco released a song called "Haile Selassie" featuring longtime contributor Nikki Jean in which he stands up for equality and justice. The title is inspired by the late Ethiopian emperor of the same name. [10]
On December 20, 2015, Fiasco teased a song called "Mural Jr." as a sequel to his song "Mural" from Tetsuo and Youth . The song was originally intended to be included on the previous album, Drogas Light . [11]
"Alan Forever" centers around the death of Alan Kurdi in September 2015 during the European migrant crisis. The song tells of an alternate reality where Alan Kurdi does not drown, but instead becomes an Olympic swimmer and later saves a similar boy from drowning. The song is thematically linked to "Jonylah Forever", which also explored an alternative reality of a young child who was killed. [12]
"WAV Files" details the core concept of the album, the Myth of the Long Chains. [13]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 73/100 [14] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| HipHopDX | 3.8/5 [15] |
| HotNewHipHop | 85% [16] |
| Pitchfork | 6.2/10 [17] |
| PopMatters | 7/10 [18] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | A− [19] |
| Vice (Expert Witness) | A− [20] |
| XXL | 3/5 [21] |
Drogas Wave received generally favorable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 73, based on 5 reviews. [14]
Drogas Wave debuted at number 60 on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 11,099 copies in the United States. [22]
Tracklist adapted from iTunes, Qobuz and the album digital booklet. [23] [24] [25]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In the Event of Typhoon" |
|
| 0:18 |
| 2. | "Drogas" |
|
| 2:16 |
| 3. | "Manilla" |
| Freeway Tjay | 5:27 |
| 4. | "Gold vs. the Right Things to Do" |
|
| 3:42 |
| 5. | "Slave Ship (Interlude)" | Jaco | Lupe Fiasco | 3:31 |
| 6. | "WAV Files" |
|
| 6:38 |
| 7. | "Down" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
|
| 6:17 |
| 8. | "Haile Selassie" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
|
| 4:49 |
| 9. | "Alan Forever" (featuring Crystal "Røvél" Torres) |
|
| 4:44 |
| Total length: | 37:42 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Helter Skelter (Interlude)" | Jaco | Lupe Fiasco | 0:16 |
| 11. | "Stronger" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
| 4:05 | |
| 12. | "Sun God Sam & the California Drug Deals" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
| 4:44 | |
| 13. | "XO" (featuring Troi Irons) |
|
| 4:31 |
| 14. | "Don't Mess Up the Children (Interlude)" | Jaco | Lupe Fiasco | 0:45 |
| 15. | "Jonylah Forever" |
|
| 3:45 |
| 16. | "Kingdom" (featuring Damian Marley) | 4:45 | ||
| 17. | "Baba Kwesi (Interlude)" | Jaco | Lupe Fiasco | 0:35 |
| 18. | "Imagine" (featuring Simon Sayz and Crystal "Røvél" Torres) |
|
| 4:07 |
| 19. | "Stack That Cheese" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
|
| 4:13 |
| 20. | "Cripple" (featuring Elena Pinderhughes) |
|
| 4:51 |
| 21. | "King Nas" |
|
| 5:57 |
| 22. | "Quotations from Chairman Fred" (featuring Nikki Jean and Bishop Edgar Jackson) |
|
| 7:09 |
| 23. | "Happy Timbuck2 Day" |
|
| 5:48 |
| 24. | "Mural Jr." |
|
| 5:12 |
| Total length: | 60:43 | |||
Notes
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA) [27] | 43 |
| US Billboard 200 [28] | 60 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [29] | 33 |
Lasers is the third studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on March 7, 2011 by Atlantic Records. Production for the album took place between 2008 and 2010. Lasers features production by The Audibles, The Neptunes, Needlz, Alex da Kid, Syience, and long-time collaborator Soundtrakk, among others. Trey Songz, John Legend, Skylar Grey, Sway, Matt Mahaffey, MDMA, Eric Turner and Sarah Green contribute vocals to the album.
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is an American rapper and record producer. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. He also performs as the frontman of rock band Japanese Cartoon under his real name. As an entrepreneur, Fiasco was the chief executive officer of 1st and 15th Entertainment.
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor is the debut studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on September 19, 2006, on 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The album features production from The Neptunes, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda, Craig Kallman, Prolyfic, Needlz, Soundtrakk, and Brandon Howard. Jay-Z, Chill, and Fiasco himself are credited as the executive producers for the album. Songs on the record discuss poverty, Islam, terrorism, racism, and individuality.
"Kick, Push" is the first single released from Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. It was written by Lupe Fiasco and Soundtrakk, who also produced the song. It describes a love story between a male and a female misfit skateboarders. It has been referred to as "a needle in hip hop's haystack of complacent songs."
American rapper Lupe Fiasco has released eight studio albums, six mixtapes, seven soundtrack albums, 38 singles, and 37 music videos.
"Superstar" is a song performed by rapper Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos. It is the first single off his 2007 album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. iTunes released "Superstar" on September 25, 2007 along with a radio version of "Dumb It Down."
NicolleJean Leary, better known as Nikki Jean, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jean started out as a lead singer of a short-lived Philadelphia band called Nouveau Riche. She was introduced to rapper Lupe Fiasco when he was working on his 2007 album Lupe Fiasco'sThe Cool and achieved initial success as the featuring artist on his single "Hip Hop Saved My Life". She continues to collaborate frequently with him.
"The Show Goes On" is a song by American recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released on October 26, 2010, as the lead single from his third studio album Lasers. The song was produced by Kane Beatz, and the melody of the song was based on the 2004 song "Float On" by Modest Mouse. The song features backing vocals from JR Get Money. It was released to iTunes on November 9, 2010, and debuted at No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually reaching a peak of No. 9. It was released in the UK on February 20, 2011. The song was a major point of contention for the artist and a reason for the lengthy delay of the album, making the title fitting; as Lupe was told unequivocally by record producers: "If you don't do 'The Show Goes On', your album's not coming out." However, XXL named it 14th Best Song of 2011. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 54th Grammy Awards.
"Words I Never Said" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released February 8, 2011, as the second single from his third studio album Lasers. The song was produced by British music producer Alex da Kid and features vocals from American singer-songwriter Skylar Grey. The song contains references to controversial political and socioeconomic topics, including the September 11 attacks, government fiscal policy, and the Gaza War. The song's message of standing up for the people and being against the government has been used as a theme song for Internet group Anonymous. It was named the 41st best song of 2011 by XXL magazine.
"Out of My Head" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released as the third single from his third studio album, Lasers. The single features vocals from American R&B singer Trey Songz, and features production from record producer Miykal Snoddy, with co-production from fellow producers Jerry Wonda and Arden Altino. The song was released as a digital download on May 22, 2011, along with the rest of Lasers. Fiasco performed this single with Trey Songz at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards. Lyrically, the song likens a love interest to that of a catchy song. The song reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his third top 40 hit in the United States. It was named the 34th best song of 2011 by XXL.
Daniel Dwayne "Diggy" Simmons III is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, model, and actor and the fourth child of Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of Run DMC. He currently stars as Doug Edwards on Grown-ish. He, along with his parents and five siblings, were the primary subjects of the MTV reality television show Run's House. Diggy was also the youngest member of Lupe Fiasco's short-lived rap collective, All City Chess Club.
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 is the fourth studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on September 25, 2012. Production for the album took place between 2009 and 2012. The album was intended to be released in June 2009, but was postponed due to the Lasers album. Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 features production by The Audibles, 1500 or Nothin', B-Sides, Simonsayz, The Runners, and long-time collaborator Soundtrakk among others. Bilal, Poo Bear, Guy Sebastian, Casey Benjamin, Jason Evigan, and Jane $$$ contribute vocals to the album.
"Battle Scars" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Guy Sebastian featuring American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released digitally in Australia and New Zealand on 10 August 2012 by Sony Music Entertainment. The song lyrics and music were written by Sebastian and David Ryan Harris, with the rap written by Fiasco. It was the third single lifted from Sebastian's seventh album Armageddon. Fiasco added "Battle Scars" to his fourth album, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 in countries other than Australia. It was released as the fourth single on 28 August 2012, credited as a duet.
Tetsuo & Youth is the fifth studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. The album was released on January 20, 2015, by 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records.
B4.Da.$$ is the debut studio album by American rapper Joey Badass. It was released on January 20, 2015, his 20th birthday, by Cinematic Music Group and Relentless Records. The album was released in North America and United Kingdom, as well as being made available for digital download on iTunes.
Self Made Vol. 3 is the third compilation album by MMG. The album was released on September 17, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. Like the two previous albums in the Self Made series, the album features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Stalley, French Montana, Omarion and Rockie Fresh along with Gunplay, Young Breed and Torch of Triple C's. The album features additional guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Lil Boosie, Birdman, J. Cole, Fabolous, Pusha T, Hit-Boy, and Lupe Fiasco among others.
"Old School Love" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco. The song was released on October 14, 2013, in promotion of his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth. English singer Ed Sheeran contributed vocals to the song's hook. The song peaked at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 18 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Oren Yoel is an American record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
Drogas Light is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released by 1st and 15th Productions on February 10, 2017. This is also his first album under Thirty Tigers following his departure from Atlantic Records.
"Mural" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. The song appears on his fifth studio album, Tetsuo & Youth. The track is almost nine minutes long with no hooks. The song contains 785 unique words.
