Since joining MMG, Wale’s lyrical content and style have noticeably changed, mainly due to the grittier beat patterns of MMG artists. However, while tracks like “Bait” (prod.: Tone P.) and “Tats On My Arm” (prod. by Southside, one half of 808 Mafia with Lex Luger) play into this new style, Wale comes back to his bread and butter with “Lotus Flower Bomb”, giving us a look back at the enlightened, witty, and softer Wale that gained heavy notoriety and rose to prominence in the game.  With production from Jerrin Howard, Wale is able to play down the heavy bass and frantic snare style we have all grown to be accustomed to from Rozay and his camp (Ughh!!). With a much calmer beat like previous releases “Beautiful Bliss” (off of Attention Deficit) and “The Break Up Song” (off of More About Nothing), and with the soulful vocals of Miguel delivering the hook, Wale is able to reminisce on a past romance and deliver it in a way that seems more heartfelt than aggressive (i.e. “Tats On My Arm”).  Whether moving to MMG was ultimately a good move for his skill-set and career remains to be seen, but it’s nice to see Wale hasn’t strayed too far from the crux of his artistic ideology. Buy his album, Ambition, on 11.1.11.

Download: Wale ft. Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb” (prod.: Jerrin Howard)