Coke Wave 3.5: Lifestyle Rap, Heavy Hitters, and the Evolution of Biggavelli

Released: January 9th 2026

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the streets have been buzzing about the recent release of urban legend Max B (aka Biggavelli, aka The Silver Surfer, aka Wavy Crockett). While there have been a few short teases recently, Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos marks the first major release for the former Byrdgang artist, backed by French Montana. There was plenty of anticipation—and perhaps some nervousness—regarding whether the crooner’s style would fit into the modern hip-hop scene. I can safely say that, outside of a few moments of noticeable rust, this release was better than expected, particularly from a man who hasn’t made commercial music in close to two decades.

Unlike previous entries in the series, this project feels more like a polished feature album than a gritty street release. They brought in heavy hitters on the production side, with Harry Fraud and Metro Boomin doing much of the heavy lifting. The album kicks off with “MAWA” (Make America Wavy Again); while the bars are simple, this project is really about lifestyle rap and feel-good vibes. Max’s larger-than-life persona remains intact, shining brightest on “Whippin That Wave.” French Montana also seems reenergized, sounding the best he has in years. This chemistry culminates on the surprisingly bouncy “Ever Since You Left Me,” a disco-sampled track that is likely on its way to becoming a club hit.

However, the high-profile production occasionally feels like “too many chefs in the kitchen.” This leads to a chaotic flow, making the project feel more like a collection of songs than a cohesive album. I would have liked to see more from Dame Grease, who was only credited on one song. At times, Max’s timing feels off, and his vocals occasionally suffer from over-production. Unlike other Coke Wave releases, there are no features outside of a Chinx (R.I.P.) hook. Trimming the 22-track runtime down to 15 or 16 tracks would have elevated the project significantly.

Ultimately, this is a solid start to the second half of Max’s career and the best release in the Coke Wave series. Given the recent string of lackluster “post-prison” releases in the industry, it was refreshing to hear an artist come out still hungry. I look forward to seeing what’s next.

Standout Tracks: Whippin That Wave, Ever Since You Left Me, Pop The Half, The Race, Me Too, Narcos

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (7/10)