Folarin II is the seventh studio album by American rapper Wale released on October 22, 2021, by Every Blue Moon, Maybach Music Group and Warner Records.[1] The production on the album was handled by several producers, including Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Hitmaka, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lee Major, OG Parker and Rogét Chahayed among others. The album features guest appearances by Rick Ross, Chris Brown, J. Cole, Jamie Foxx, Ant Clemons, Yella Beezy, Maxo Kream, Chase Young, and Shawn Stockman.[2][3][4] The album was executive produced by Ross and Wale. It is the sequel to Wale's 2012 mixtape Folarin.[5]
| Folarin II | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 22, 2021 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 47:14 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Wale chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Folarin II | ||||
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Folarin II was supported by three singles: "Angles" featuring Chris Brown, "Down South" featuring Yella Beezy and Maxo Kream and "Poke It Out" featuring J. Cole.[6]
Promotion
editThe lead single from the album, "Angles" featuring American singer Chris Brown, released on June 18, 2021.[7] The music video for the song was released on June 22, 2021, three days after the single came out.[8] The song was produced by OG Parker, Hitmaka, John $K McGee, and LouXtwo.[7][8] The song samples "I Need a Girl" by Puff Daddy, Usher and Loon. The song did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[9] And the song also peaked at number 44 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[9]
The second single from the album, "Down South" featuring American rappers Yella Beezy and Maxo Kream, was released on August 12, 2021.[10] The song's music video was released on October 15, 2021.[11] The song was produced by Harry Fraud. The song sampled "Stay Tippin" by Mike Jones, Paul Wall and Slim Thug.[10][11]
The third and final single from the album, "Poke It Out" featuring American rapper J. Cole, was released on September 30, 2021.[12] The music video for the song was premiered on October 4, 2021, three days after the single was released.[13] The song was produced by Cool & Dre. The song samples "Vivrant Thing" by Q-Tip.[12][13] The song debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9] Also, the song debuted at number 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs charts.[9]
The music video for the song, "Tiffany Nikes", premiered on March 1, 2022.[14]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [15] |
Commercial performance
editFolarin II debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard 200, earning 20,000 album-equivalent units (including 2,900 pure album sales) in its first week.[9][16] The album also peaked at number twelve on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number eleven on the US Top Rap Albums charts, which marks both Wale's seventh entry on the charts.[9]
Track listing
editCredits were adapted from Genius, Spotify and Tidal.[17][18][19]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "New Balances" |
|
| 3:06 |
| 2. | "Name Ring Bell" |
| Trizzy | 3:08 |
| 3. | "Poke It Out" (featuring J. Cole) | Cool & Dre | 3:03 | |
| 4. | "Tiffany Nikes" |
| 2:12 | |
| 5. | "Caramel" |
|
| 3:21 |
| 6. | "Fluctuate" |
| DJ Khalil | 3:53 |
| 7. | "Light Years" (featuring Rick Ross) |
|
| 3:53 |
| 8. | "Angles" (featuring Chris Brown) |
| 3:28 | |
| 9. | "Dearly Beloved" (featuring Jamie Foxx) |
| 1:49 | |
| 10. | "More Love" (featuring Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Hot Sauce of Backyard Band) |
| 3:13 | |
| 11. | "Jump In" (featuring Lil' Chris of T.O.B.) |
|
| 3:31 |
| 12. | "Down South" (featuring Yella Beezy and Maxo Kream) | Harry Fraud | 3:59 | |
| 13. | "Extra Special" (featuring Ant Clemons) |
|
| 2:45 |
| 14. | "Fire & Ice" |
| D.Woo | 2:36 |
| 15. | "Beverly Blvd" |
|
| 3:50 |
| Total length: | 47:14 | |||
Notes
edit- ^[a] signifies a co-producer
- ^[b] signifies an additional producer
- ^[c] signifies an uncredited producer
Sample credits
edit- "Name Ring Bell" contains samples from "Ting-A-Ling", written by Rexton Gordan, Wycliffe Johnson and Cleveland Browne, and performed by Shabba Ranks; and an interpolation from "Make It Hot", written by Melissa Elliot, Tim Mosley and A. Richards, and performed by Nicole Wray.
- "Poke It Out" contains samples from "Vivrant Thing", written by Jonathan Davis, James Yancey and Barry Carter, and performed by Q-Tip.
- "Tiffany Nikes" contains samples from "Amazing", written by George Michael and Johnny Douglas, and performed by George Michael.
- "Caramel" contains samples from "Caramel Kisses", written by Faith Evans, Sean Combs, Chucky Thompson, Michael Keith and Quinnes Parker, and performed by Faith Evans featuring 112.
- "Angles" contains samples from "I Need a Girl (Part One)", written by Sean Combs, Usher Raymond and Chauncey Hawkins, and performed by P. Diddy featuring Usher and Loon.
- "Dearly Beloved" contains an excerpt and a sample from the episode, "Always Follow Your Heart", from The Jamie Foxx Show.[20]
- "Down South" contains samples from "Still Tippin'", written by Michael Jones, Paul Slayton, Stayve Thomas and Salih Williams, performed by Mike Jones featuring Paul Wall and Slim Thug; and an interpolation from "Slangin'", written by Richard Jones, Chad Butler, Bernard Freeman and Percy Miller Sr., performed by Fiend featuring UGK and Master P.
- "Fire & Ice" contains samples from "This Day, This Minute, Right Now", written and performed by Mint Condition.
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[21] | 22 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[22] | 12 |
| US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[23] | 11 |
References
edit- ^ "Folarin II by Wale". Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Stream Wale's New Album 'Folarin II' f/ J. Cole, Rick Ross, Jamie Foxx, and More". Complex. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Wale Drops Off "Folarin II" Ft. J. Cole, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Boyz II Men & Jamie Foxx". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ Shepard, Ryan (October 29, 2021). "Wale Reveals NFL Star Chase Young Provided Background Vocals Alongside Lucky Daye On 'Folarin 2'". DefPen.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ^ "Wale Announces 'Folarin 2' Album, Calls Himself One Of The G.O.A.T.s". Vibe. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Stream Wale's New Album 'Folarin 2'". Rap-Up. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Angles (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by Wale, 2021-06-18, retrieved 2022-09-29
- ^ a b Wale - Angles (feat. Chris Brown) [Official Music Video], retrieved 2022-09-29 – YouTube
- ^ a b c d e f "Wale Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ a b Down South (feat. Yella Beezy & Maxo Kream) by Wale, 2021-08-12, retrieved 2022-09-29
- ^ a b Wale - Down South (feat. Yella Beezy & Maxo Kream) [Official Music Video], retrieved 2022-09-29 – YouTube
- ^ a b Poke It Out (feat. J. Cole) by Wale, 2021-10-20, retrieved 2022-09-29
- ^ a b Wale - Poke It Out (feat. J. Cole) [Official Music Video], retrieved 2022-09-29
- ^ Wale - Tiffany Nikes (Official Music Video), retrieved 2022-09-29
- ^ "Folarin II Review by Andy Kellman". allmusic.com. October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Rick (2021-10-29). "ALBUM SALES (week 43, 2021): Wale, Drake, Doja Cat, YoungBoy Never Broke Again & more!". Fresh: Hip-Hop & R&B. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ "Folarin II by Wale". Genius. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ Folarin II, 2021-10-22, retrieved 2022-09-29 – Spotify
- ^ "Folarin II by Wale". Tidal. September 29, 2022.
- ^ "Wale feat. Jamie Foxx's 'Dearly Beloved' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ "Wale Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "Wale Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "Wale Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 September 2022.