Overview: This is an excellent 21st century rap album. Whilst it lacks many key features of rap in its classic state this album portrays brilliant lyrical talent. This album is also from what many describe as Wiz's prime. This was back when he smoked, drank and spit venomous verses. This is a good album but lacks originality.
The Tracks:
When I'm Gone: This track has a very electric vibe beat and is very chilled. It discusses Wiz's lifestyle as many rappers do and he reflects on advice people have given him and how he isn't going to take it, rather he plans to live bright, die young. This is a rather uninspired track and whilst it is very catchy, it does not bring anything the rap game has not seen.
On My Level: This is very similar to other tracks on the album as it discusses Wiz's lifestyle. This is, in the opinion of all of us here at the rap rater, is the paper weight track on this album. It says the same as the others but it lacks that Wiz Khalifa beat sensation.
Black and Yellow: This is defiantly, without debate, no question the best track on the album. This track had that NWA touch, it brought the white kids back to rap from the funky, PC made music of the time. This track rocked the charts and put Wiz out there for the world. Its catchy beat and lovable lyrics made it a favorite with thousands of people.
Roll Up: This
track can be described as a lovers 'Hailie's Song' (Eminem's the Eminem
Show) as its one of those rap songs that conveys love rather than
boasting or looking for fights as rap often can. This is a track about
Wiz having a lover who is involved with another man. He raps in a way
that appealed to a huge female audience which broadened his prospects
immensely.Hopes and Dreams: This is a track that really shows Wiz, a super catchy beat and lyrics that almost don't care enough to meet the music. This is like a catchy child between 'Roll Up' and 'When I'm Gone' but still doesn't bring anything new.
Wake Up: This is another catchy track but its actual content is rather lacking. It is just about Wiz's lifestyle meets his relation with a girl plus a tad bit of Wiz complaining about his lifestyle which doesn't fit with other tracks where he claims he loves living bright.
The Race: This is another (unfortunately) similar beat but in this case it features the template of rap lyrics. Underneath the ganja talk it is self promotion and boasting which is not a bad thing. It can be done well but in this case it's like, I see your point but I don't follow.
Star of the Show: What this album lacks is what NWA did brilliantly. NWA had continuity without having tracks that were too similar. Yet another track about lifestyle from childhood to his current age. Wiz doesn't give foresight to his future in this album, or rap comically, (Eminem specializes in this) and this song is just more of the same.
No Sleep: A refreshing change from previous tracks on the album as it is not about boasting, 'No Sleep' is about partying as an elite member of society. This has another similar beat and is rather relaxed.
Get Your S***: About time, a break up track from Wiz. This is a leaf out of Eminem's book but much kinder. This is the breakup of wiz and another girl and is done rather well. Unlike other rap breakup songs this one does not reference killing the girl, fighting anyone or any threats at all.
Top Floor: This does not deserve to be in this album. The beat is off tune, the singing is inaudible and it is dripping with auto-tune. Waste. Enough said.
Fly Solo: This seems completely out of place. It is comparable to Eminem's 'Hailies Song' in that it is a rapper trying to sing but the differences are Eminem's track has a rap beat, Wiz doesn't, Eminem does rap in his song, Wiz's performance cannot be called rap, Eminem's was popular.......
Rooftops: This is more of the same, reflection on success but is done better than any of the others. It has a 'hot beat and a catchy hook' (Eminem, Cocaine, 2010) which makes modern rap popular. Nowadays people seem to care not for lyrical talent or message but just for a groovy track. This bodes well for Wiz in this song.
Cameras: This song might well be popular but in reality it does not rhyme, in the first verse the supposedly rhyming words are; secret, it, day, speaking, achievements, that, weekend, then, plane, game, fame, em, poppin, droppin, em. So of the total verse there was only one rhyme with more than one syllable. This song is lyrically pitiful.
The verdict: This album has some very catchy tunes. It was very popular and one track in particular will be a rap moment to remember. This album is in essence about 4 songs as the rest say the same thing with roughly the same beat. It seems only one song in this whole album uses legitimate
musical talent as the rest have been made with synthesizers and auto drum programs. Wiz has so much potential as seen in 'Black and Yellow' but this album was not his best work.
For these reasons this album is scored 2.5/5
Different opinion? Feel free to comment :) (Keep it polite)
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