June 14, 2011 @ 2:09 PM EDT
News
The Apollo Theater paid homage to Stevie Wonder last night as he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Double R affiliate Mfeenz was in the house and filmed Harlem native Doug E. Fresh providing beatbox accompaniment for “Ribbon In The Sky” with the man of honor.
Wale, in this track, shows once again his ability to blend different genres. He doesn't limit himself to hip-hop, but enriches it with R&B nuances, creating a familiar sound. This fusion is not only an exercise in style, but serves to intensify the emotional impact of the song. And then there is his ability to rap. Wale is a master at playing with words, creating complex rhymes and modulating his voice to best express his emotions. In 'Blanco', his rap part is an explosion of words that intertwine with the melody, creating a hypnotic and relaxing effect. His ability to go from moments of pure energy to moments of deep introspection is what makes this track so engaging; it reminds me of when you would slow dance, hugging your woman.