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Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle

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  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Feb 16, 2018
  • Summary: The debut full-length studio release for the Southern California rapper features guest appearances from Stacy Barthe, Belly, J. Black, Buddy, CeeLo Green, Dom Kennedy, Konshens, Kendrick Lamar, Puff Daddy, TeeFlii, The-Dream, and YG.
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Score distribution:

  1. Negative: 0 out of 6

  1. Minor potholes aside, Victory Lap not only boosts Nipsey’s stock but it raises expectations for the next time he eyes a checkered flag. The benchmark for quality has been set and the race to officially hit the championship podium is only getting revved up.

  2. At least half the album feels like padding, and there’s nothing with the sheer rage and power of his verses on 2016 anti-Trump classic FDT. Perhaps Hussle isn’t quite ready for the victory lap just yet.

  1. Loved most if not all the tracks. Summer heat and windows down music. One of the best albums of 2018.

  2. Greatest west coast album ever . NH THA GREAT . Rest easy . LLNH . THE MARATHON CONTINUES

  3. Victory Lap has the feel of a coming out party for Nipsey Hussle. With great production, lyrical content and features, this is an early rapVictory Lap has the feel of a coming out party for Nipsey Hussle. With great production, lyrical content and features, this is an early rap album of the year contender and a sleeper horse for sure. While he may not have the name of some other rappers, this project is an early surprise this year in rap for sure and a great listen. While it has its flaws it’s still a tremendous rap album and a great listen for any rap fan Expand

  4. Even though Nipsey Hussle doesn't yet have the writing abilities to keep a 16-track, hour long album interesting from front to back, he givesEven though Nipsey Hussle doesn't yet have the writing abilities to keep a 16-track, hour long album interesting from front to back, he gives it his best shot with varying degrees of success. Expand

  5. It do feels like this project benefited from more popularity than it normally should have regarding the artist's death a year after itsIt do feels like this project benefited from more popularity than it normally should have regarding the artist's death a year after its release.
    In my humble opinion it is not that bad, its main flaw being that it is a sequence of tracks of irregular quality. 'Succa Proof' and 'Loaded Bases' are two evocative examples of songs that shouldn't have been added on this record.

    Some other tracks appear as classic and predictable bangers such as 'Grindin All My Life' or 'Last Time That I Checc'd'. I guess that these are not far from what Nipsey did the best as gangsta rap flavour. He however did take advantage of his fame to to bring together artists of an impressive diversity. I mean having Marsha Ambrosius, Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar and CeeLo Green surely is a true prowess. But it also unfortunately contributes to the lack of identity of 'Victory Lap'. Some of these big names sadly did not even shine as expected during their verses. The first and last I mentioned are as surprisingly as sadly forgettable - and that's a major shame.

    I can't deny that I was truly impressed by some hidden gems here and there as 'Double Up' or 'Blue Laces 2', but is was a surprise because of the overall lack of rhythm I observed all along.
    RIP Nipsey Hussle

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  6. Wow this album is garbage. The few highlights come from featured artist. Even k-dot was pretty lame on his feature. One long boring flow,Wow this album is garbage. The few highlights come from featured artist. Even k-dot was pretty lame on his feature. One long boring flow, same rhyme cadence every songe, simple word play if you can even call it word play. Otherwise this album would of gotten no love and crappy (crappier) sales. Atlantic records is going to ride the wave and use Nipsey's death for publicity and sales. But don't be fooled this album is not good. Expand

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