Victory Lap’s aspiration to be validated as a classic Hip Hop album never sways and it checks off a ton of boxes.
It's a satisfying journey that rides the strength of Nipsey's deft flow and no-nonsense lyrics. Victory Lap is not just a celebration from the scrappy MC: it's a deserved moment marking his journey from Crenshaw to the majors.
Victory Lap confirms Nipsey’s competency as a leading figure in the culture but doesn’t push his personal envelope any further.
Bridging several generations of West Coast rap, Victory Lap uses his cache of war stories to power the most gripping entry in his catalog, recouping an investment.
Although there's some room for improvement, Victory Lap is still a solid effort with the promise of better to come. Hussle approaches his career like a marathon, not a race, and his best days still feel ahead of him.
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.
This dude was so dope, can’t believe I slept on this so hard. This is so spiritual, and I mean that in the least cringe way possible. Double Up literally is so god damn relaxing and nostalgic to me. It’s just incredible.
REDUX REVIEW: 88 ===> 93
WHAT THE FUCK I DONT REMEMBER IT BEING THIS GOOD. I listened to this again for some fun and little every song sounds 2x better. Why do the best artists have to die?
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Original Review:
Holy cow this was unexpectedly amazing, gotta stop discovering these artists after they die
I had never really listened to Nipsey before this, but damn that intro and "Loaded Bases" genuinely made me ... read more
What an amazing album. Every song is a banger with brilliant production. Not only is Nipsey bragging about how he’s made it with a nice touch of maturity, it feels motivating and inspiring to listen to. Such a shame to see a talented and charismatic person gone too soon, I wish we could see the potential he would reach in his music career.
Rest in peace, Nipsey Hussle.
1 | Victory Lap 3:58 feat. Stacy Barthe | 91 |
2 | Rap Niggas 3:46 | 91 |
3 | Last Time That I Checc'd 3:45 feat. YG | 90 |
4 | Young Nigga 3:56 feat. Diddy | 74 |
5 | Dedication 4:05 feat. Kendrick Lamar | 92 |
6 | Blue Laces 2 4:10 | 80 |
7 | Hussle & Motivate 4:18 | 83 |
8 | Status Symbol 3 5:05 feat. Buddy | 84 |
9 | Succa Proof 3:21 | 81 |
10 | Keyz 2 the City 2 3:05 feat. TeeFLii | 84 |
11 | Grinding All My Life 2:55 | 91 |
12 | Million While You Young 4:24 feat. The-Dream | 82 |
13 | Loaded Bases 3:11 feat. Cee-Lo Green | 88 |
14 | Real Big 6:22 feat. Marsha Ambrosius | 84 |
#6 | / | Complex |
#19 | / | Thrillist |
#21 | / | Uproxx |
#27 | / | Billboard |
#28 | / | DJBooth (Hip Hop / R&B) |
/ | Hypebeast | |
/ | Vibe |