Wiz Khalifa is well known for his hit single, "Black and Yellow" which can be seen as the unofficial anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers, displaying his laid-back flow, and his easy rhyming style. His new album, Rolling Papers isn't going to win any "Best Of... Awards", but the hard hitting beats and the catchy choruses deliver what fans expect from Khalifa. In other words, if you don't smoke, or know any Marijuana terminology, you may get lost in his Smoke heavy lyrics. Clearly, there is a strict audience for this album. If you enjoy sitting back, putting on a slower rap song, and enjoying life (via weed, alcohol, or women) you will love this album as you new life soundtrack. But I like focusing on music as a whole, as I listen to the lyrics. This practice made me enjoy "Rolling Papers" slightly less than I would expected. Almost every track is radio-fodder, and has a hard club back beat, including remarkable production. But Khalifa's cookie-cutter lyrics undoubtedly drags down this otherwise amazing album. Honestly, Wiz Khalifa's lyrics make me want to fall asleep. He even attacks the listener with downright atrocious choruses such as "Pack your stuff, get your shit, leave my keys, gotta go", and guess what the uninspired name to that song is? If you guessed " Get Your Shit", you would be correct. I'm am not attacking Khalifa's ability to rhyme, but when you are such a popular artist, with a new album, you could spend more time writing "Rolling Papers", then actually rolling your papers... I was hoping to find deep lyrics, creative metaphors, masterful flow, and left the album disappointed. What you get is essentially an album which is the blueprint that other rappers should follow, if they strive to make a mediocre album with great beats that end up carrying the poor lyrical construction.
This album isnt bad, but it lacks the staying power that most look for in a Wiz Khalifa album, which honestly, makes "Rolling Papers" an extreme letdown. But looking past Khalifa's limited lyrical abilities, and his "by the book" Hip-Hop content, there are some diamonds in this vile cavern known as, "Rolling Papers".
You should listen to:
1. "The Race" - A trip to the creative side of Khalifa's lyrics, full of many weed references that fans know and love, strung together with an amazing flow.
2. "On My Level" - A song that isn't typical Khalifa, and just makes you want to tap your foot and sing along.
3. "No Sleep" - The only think bad about this song is that Too Short has one of the worst raps I have ever lent my ears too.
4. "Fly Solo" - I just love the accustic filled beat that cover the lyrics, Khalifa isn't bad on this track neither, it plays on his poppy side, which some people may not like.
In conclusion, Wiz Khalifa's new album "Rolling Papers", is a failed attempt at a great album on almost all fronts. It contains some gems, but they are ultimately cluttered with extremely forgettable music. Buy a few of the songs off of iTunes, but use the "preview" button wisely, extremely wisely.
I give Wiz Khalifa's "Rolling Papers" -
A generous 2 out of 5 Chyeahs!
This is Killer, signing out. Chyeah!
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