Let’s be honest with ourselves: Wiz Khalifa’s first album ‘Rolling Papers’ was a little on the pop tart side. To his defense, Wiz understands this, and has stated that this next album will be a lot similar to his previous Mixtape efforts. Judging by the pants that he’s wearing on the album artwork, I’m not to sure I believe that.
TOP 5
5. PAPERBOND
Only a rapper can start a song off with “Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep.” Talentless bastards!
“Paperbond” is smooth. It feels like Wiz doesn’t stress a single bar when he raps on it, instead getting lost in the environmental vibes the production gives off. I also like how lyrical he is on his verses, putting us on to game through some wise yet hood words. Wiz started the album masterfully, to me.
4. RISE ABOVE (4/5)
THIS CHORUS IS FIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS BEAT IS FIIIIIIIIIRRRRREEEEEEEEEE! I’m rolling on the floor as we speak.
Wiz Khalifa’s verse is pretty blahzay blahzay. Pharrell’s verse is pretty useless. The homeless man they picked up from the streets verse is forgettable. I guess I’m rocking with the beat and chorus only.
Amber Rose’s little part at the end reminds me of a Ratchet girl you meet outside of a violent night club.
3. TIME (5/5)
‘Time’ Sounds like a cut that can be on ‘Kush & Orange Juice’– think about it: The zoned out instrumental, our hero taking 19 minutes to start rapping, the overall slow pace it boasts… It’s all in line with about 85% of his breakthrough Mixtape.
2. THE BLUFF
‘The Bluff’ is the type of song that people smoke to for sure. The hook is breezy, Wiz justifies to the world why smoking is necessary in just about every situation he’s thrown in, and Killa Cam sounds as laid back as it gets on his verse. It’s the perfect track for rolling up and kicking your feet up to.
1. REMEMBER YOU (5/5)
Before Wiz Khalifa’s Part:
Wiz Khalifa’s part Approaches:
Despite the two contrasting styles, I love how they strangely meshed together on this song.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
3. BLUFFIN’ (4.5/5)
5.THE BLUFF (5/5)
6. WORK HARD, PLAY HARD (4.5/5)
7. GOT EVERYTHING (4/5)
8. FALL ASLEEP (3.5/5)
9. TIME (5/5)
10. IT’S NOTHIN’ (4.4/5)
11. RISE ABOVE (4.7/5)
12. INITIATION (3.9/5)
13. UP IN IT (3.8/5)
14. NO LIMIT (3/5)
15. THE PLAN (4.6/5)
16. REMEMBER YOU (5/5)
17. MEDICATED (4.5/5)
OVERALL RATING
The album is not as experimental as ‘Rolling Papers’, and I think that’s a good thing. You can tell Wiz was in his comfort zone from start to finish of it, even if a specific songs asks him to step outside of the box. It’s almost like he was cognizant of the criticism people had of “Rolling Papers” and made sure he didn’t revert to that version of himself. Thank God!
It’s a bit difficult to listen to this album straight through, as the subject matters/content becomes a bit stale at times. I’m all for hearing Wiz talk about weed and all, but to talk about it on love songs and s**t simply doesn’t work. I wouldn’t call him one dimensional on this project, but maybe one and half dimensional.
I wouldn’t say the album is a disappointment, but I will say if Wiz wants to be considered rap elite, he has to come harder than this.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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