Rating 7 / 10
One of the more interesting characters in Rap and Hip-Hop would have to be the 1017 Brick Squad representative, Waka Flocka Flame. Whether it’s his point-blank stance on things such as Hologram Tupac or music in general, Flocka seems unable to give people any less than the ruggedness he’s become known for, and it’s one of the reasons he seems to be more relevant as of now than his labelmates (Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Wooh Da Kid, and Frenchie). With the arrival of his second LP, Waka seems to be swinging heavily for the fences and radios, making Triple F Life: Friends, Fans, and Family a mixed bag, at best.
To be clear, if you’re listening to a Flocka album for the lyricism, you’re doing it wrong in the first place. There are some artists who never try to be more than what they are, and Flocka’s said before that he’s not that type of artist. The quicker you accept that, the more enjoyment you’ll find in his music. However, even by loose standards, there are a few songs on Triple F Life that come out of left field, such as the radio-ready “Get Low” (which features Nicki Minaj, Tyga, and Flo-Rida), and the awkwardly placed “Fist Pump” (featuring B.o.B). They’ll be huge on the radio, but typical Waka fans may not appreciate it as much.
Thankfully, there are typical Waka songs here as well. “Lurkin’” features an assist from Plies and combines everything good about Waka into one song, from the aggressive hook and ad-libs to the riot-inducing lyrics that’s gotten him this far musically. “Let Dem Guns Blam” features a solid verse from Meek Mill, “I Don’t Really Care” serves it’s purpose and features a cameo from Trey Songz, and of course, “Round of Applause” with Drake is still as oddly addicting as ever. The good songs, however, still don’t cover up the blatant “Crossover” radio singles that disrupt the flow of the LP, but there’s no denying that Waka has several singles here that could impact any type of radio station.
And maybe that’s the issue. Waka’s Triple F Life: Friends, Fans, and Family is a grab bag at best, with some songs staying true to what he’s done in the past, and others taking huge risks. Granted, those risks (most notably, “Fist Pump”) could pay off extremely well, but the album as a whole seems to have little to no direction whatsoever. Don’t get it twisted; the album’s not bad, and there are songs present for every type of Flocka fan, but if you’re looking for an album as entertaining as his first, you won’t exactly find it here.
What do you think of the album? Leave a comment below.