| Coke Wave | |
| Type: | mixtape |
| Artist: | French Montana and Max B |
| Cover: | File:CokeWave1_FrenchMontana_MaxB.jpg |
| Genre: | Hip hop |
Coke Wave is a collaborative mixtape by rappers French Montana and Max B. The mixtape was announced in 2008 and released on February 6, 2009.[1] It features guest appearances from Mak Mustard, Dame Grease, Meeno, E-Snaps and Maino. Producers on the project include Dame Grease, J.Cardim, Young Los and Rome.
Coke Wave received mixed reviews from music critics. While initially met with skepticism, it has managed to garner a sizeable cult following among listeners. David Drake of Complex magazine commended the "strategic alignment" between French and Max B,[2] and complimented Max's songwriting and "slurred, sing-song style" comparing it to a "slick, casual delivery of a drunken street poet." In contrast, Infamous O of XXL magazine was not a fan of the former's slurred delivery style or attempts at harmonizing, but complimented French for his energy and style.[3] David Drake praised the artists' and producer Dame Grease's ability to take instrumentals from varying genres and reinventing them into new molds, such as Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" which became the inspiration for "I Warned U" or Sting's "Englishman in New York" which became the track "We Run NY". The latter of which, with its Branford Marsalis saxophone and French Montana hook, he termed "one of the grittiest, catchiest New York street anthems in recent memory."[2]
In 2013, Complex magazine listed the mixtape at #33 on its list of "The 50 Best Rapper Mixtapes".[4] In 2016, Pitchfork listed the mixtape at #49 on its "The 50 Best Rap Mixtapes of the Millennium" list.[5]