Folarin (album)

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]

Folarin
Mixtape by Wale
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
Wale chronology
The Eleven One Eleven Theory (2011) Folarin (2012) The Gifted (2013)
Singles from Folarin
"Bad" Released: February 5, 2013

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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
BET	[14]

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."[15] 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."[14]

Track listing

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Forward"	Aaron Wess	1:59
2.	"Change Up"	LG	2:56
3.	"The Show" (featuring Rick Ross and Aaron Wess)	No Credit	3:44
4.	"Let a Nigga Know" (featuring Chinx Drugz and Fatz Da Big Fella)	Rico Beats	3:33
5.	"Get Me Doe" (featuring 2 Chainz)	Beat Billionaire	3:57
6.	"Bad" (featuring Tiara Thomas)	Tiara Thomas, Kelson Camp	4:17
7.	"Limitless" (featuring Scarface)	Jake One	3:38
8.	"Chun Li" (featuring Nipsey Hussle)	Cardo	4:04
9.	"Skool Daze"	Nottz	3:42
10.	"H20"	Joe K	3:41
11.	"Street Runner"	Beat Billionaire	2:56
12.	"Back 2 Ballin'" (featuring French Montana)	Cheeze Beatz	3:22
13.	"Cool Off" (featuring Jhené Aiko)	Tone P.	3:19
14.	"Fa We We Freestyle"	Willie B	2:55
15.	"The One Eyed Kitten Song" (featuring Travis Porter)	Diplo	3:08
16.	"Flat Out" (featuring Trinidad James)	Beat Billionaire	3:51
17.	"Ji-Dope"	Beat Billionaire	2:43
18.	"The Right One" (featuring Hit-Boy)	Austin Millz	3:07
19.	"Money Changes" (featuring Chrisette Michele)	Key Wane	3:18
20.	"Georgetown Press" (featuring Lightshow)	AppleJuice Kid	4:20
21.	"Never Never Freestyle"	Danny!	2:09

References

1. "New Music: Wale – 'Folarin' (Mixtape)". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. December 24, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
2. Horowitz, Steven J (December 27, 2012). "Wale "Folarin" Mixtape Download & Stream". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
3. Horowitz, Steven J (November 14, 2012). "Wale Announces New Mixtape "Folarin". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
4. Homie, Big (November 14, 2012). "New Music: Wale "Freedom Of Speech". Rap Radar. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
5. Homie, Big (December 17, 2012). "New Music: Wale x French Montana "Back 2 Ballin". Rap Radar. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
6. Homie, Big (December 17, 2012). "New Music: Wale "Too Much Talk". Rap Radar. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
7. Dot, B. (December 20, 2012). "New Music: Wale "The Blessings". Rap Radar. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
8. Martin, Andrew (January 17, 2013). "Video: Wale "Never Never". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
9. "Let A N**** Know | Wale | Music Video". MTV Networks. February 17, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
10. "Video: Wale – 'Street Runner'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
11. "Video: Wale f/ Rick Ross & Aaron Wess – 'The Show'". Rap-Up. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
12. "Video: Wale f/ Tiara Thomas – 'Bad'". Rap-Up. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
13. "New Video: Wale x Travis Porter "One Eyed Kitten Song"". Rap Radar. 2013-04-23. Retrieved 2013-06-07.
14. Stovall, Calvin (December 28, 2012). "Mixtape Review: Wale, Folarin". BET. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
15. Fairfax, Jesse (January 2, 2013). "Wale Folarin (Mixtape Review)". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 2, 2013.