Wale: Ambition

Wale resolutely continues to demand the best of both worlds: the underground and the commercial mainstream.

Warner Bros. / Maybach
****

The Washington rapper Wale's 2009 debut Attention Deficit introduced a lyrically interesting and eclectic artist. Normally, the way it goes with independent artists is that they either remain relentlessly underground, or ditch all pretence and embrace the materialistic glitter of mainstream hip-hop.

Now the 27-year-old is back and, once again, wants to have it both ways. This album is a bouncy mix of styles ranging from darting synth beats, funk and laid-back soul. While the changes in genre might unnerve lesser rappers, Wale embraces them and uses them to unlock some of his most witty and heartfelt lyrics.

In Legendary Wale makes his claim to fame: "Sort of like Socrates in a Prada Tee/ You can't kick it, your pockets thinner than soccer teams." In the percolating Slight Work, he is all over the up-tempo beat supplied by Diplo and embraces some of the gangsta-rap clichés in the sax-fuelled Miami Nights and the trunk rattler Chain Music. Wale also spends a lot of time addressing critics; perhaps it is a pre-emptive strike against accusations of selling out.

He shouldn't worry too much: his nimble delivery and wisecracking persona keep his fans hooked. None of that has faded, despite the added gloss.