Wave Parker: Child of The Bling Era

Remember the bling era, my friends? Manny Fresh beats, baggy jeans, oversized sports jerseys, white tees, and a plethora of jewels. If you were born in the 90s it's almost a guarantee you grew up wanting to be like the rappers of that period. Ohio native Wave Parker must have been influenced as well because his latest release Child Of The Bling Era is wrapped in nostalgia that takes you right back to a time when Cash Money Records was “taking over for the 99 and the 2000”. (We weren’t getting through this review without me saying that at least once.)

There’s something about watching an artist’s growth in real-time. It makes you appreciate the journey and feel like you’re growing with them. Wave is a full 4 albums in if you’ve been keeping up. Not to mention the fact that 3 out of the 4 have come this year alone. When an artist works at a pace like that you usually start to worry about the quality of art but Wave is a rare one who has continued to get better with each drop. Can he keep this pace going? Well, that's something he’ll have to answer in the form of his actions but right now he’s moving in full stride.

The intro/title track to the album sounds like something you would find on a Cash Money compilation. The moment the horns come in I instantly get flashbacks of watching the Big Tymers on 106 and park. Wave has put out an abundance of verses this year but still has plenty of bars left. The signature raps that play out like motivational speeches from a hustler on his way up are still present and this sounds like his best selection of beats thus far.

Exotic Pieces is the standout track for me. With production that sounds like an ode to the days when Swishahouse ran the game. A love note to exclusive shoe releases and one-of-one drops with massive replay value. Wave has elevated himself here and appears to be on an upward trajectory. There's no drop-off either as the run from Exotic Pieces to Keep It Playa is solid with no skips. Including some formidable verses from Meechie Stacks and Dubba-AA to give Wave some friendly competition and keep him on his toes.

The Album ends with “Just Wanna Shine” and “Yessuh” and although it leaves you feeling like there could’ve been more it does wrap things up nicely. As an artist, you have to know when to leave them wanting more. Luckily for us with Wave’s current pace we may not have to wait long. “This ain't interstate music this that roll yo windows down” Wave echoes and it's the perfect statement to sum up this album. Overall I feel like this is Parker’s best work yet and it's still only up from here for the Child of the Bling Era.