Top tracks — play these first
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Change Up Start here — This track exemplifies Wale's introspective lyricism, addressing personal challenges and changes in perspective while maintaining an engaging flow.
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Let a Nigga Know — With its assertive delivery and catchy hook, this track showcases Wale's confident storytelling abilities and his knack for producing club-ready anthems.
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Georgetown Press — This track highlights Wale's connection to his hometown, blending autobiographical elements with commentary on societal issues, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Folarin showcases Wale's lyrical skill but lacks a strong cohesive arc across its many tracks.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate varied production styles, ranging from traditional hip-hop beats to more experimental sounds.
- The sequencing includes interludes that provide context and thematic transitions between songs, enhancing the narrative flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with introspective themes
- dynamic moments of lyrical sharpness
- for reflective listening sessions
- engaging storytelling with lush production
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid longer, cohesive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Folarin showcases Wale's lyrical depth but isn't a standout entry point or breakthrough.
- Themes
- Georgetown pride· personal transformation· club culture confidence
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2012, Folarin came during a transitional phase for Wale, following his commercially successful album Ambition from 2011. This project served as a bridge between his earlier mixtapes and mainstream success, reflecting his growth as an artist while also returning to his mixtape roots.
Tracklist
- 1 The Forward by G Mogul 1:59
- 2 Change Up Start here 2:56
- 3 The Show 3:44
- 4 Let a Nigga Know 3:33
- 5 Getmedoe 3:57
- 6 Limitless 3:37
- 7 Chun Li 4:05
- 8 Skool Daze 3:42
- 9 H20 3:41
- 10 Street Runner 2:57
- 11 Back 2 Ballin 3:22
- 12 Cool Off 3:19
- 13 Fa We We Freestyle 2:56
- 14 The One Eye Kitten Song 3:08
- 15 Flat Out 3:51
- 16 Ji-Dope 2:43
- 17 The Right One 3:07
- 18 Money Changes 3:18
- 19 Georgetown Press 4:20
- 20 Never Never Freestyle 2:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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