Categories
Lil Wayne Reviews

Lil Wayne – I Am Not A Human Being II album review

Tunechi has never been quiet about what he does, how he does it or how the critics feel about it. Last month the self-proclaimed best rapper alive released his tenth album “I Am Not A Human Being II”. On the album he raps about the usual, sex, drugs and violence. The album consists of 15 tracks and 18 tracks on the deluxe version with the radio hits “No Worries”, “My Homies Still” featuring G.O.O.D Music’s Big Sean and “Love Me” featuring Drake and Future. The Young Money president worked with several known artists on the album; Juicy J (Three 6 Mafia), Soulja Boy, Gunplay, the infamous 2 Chainz and the first lady of Young Money and American Idol judge, Nicki Minaj.

Although “I Am Not A Human Being II” sold more copies than the first, the album was not impressive. On this album he used a mixture of sounds, combining rock and pop with hip hop, even sampling the hook to the classic “Lay It Down” by 8ball & MJG.  Most of the tracks on the album; “Back To You”, “Days & Days”, “No Worries”, “Wowers” and  “Curtains” (featuring Boo) are about nothing but sex in it’s vulgarity — giving blowjobs and popping molly. On “Back To You” he uses samples of the song “Compass” by soul singer Jamie Lidell, Wayne also samples Basket Case by the punk rock group Green Day for “Hot Revolver”. Weezy gives his meaning of being romantic on the track “Romance” (having sex on the job and breakfast after sex). The “How To Love” rapper tells the ladies about his likes and dislikes. You can send him a card but no flowers, unless they are green and smokable.

Other tracks include “God Bless America” where Wayne gives his version on what the stripes and the stars mean; “Rich as F**k” with 2 Chainz; “Trigger Finger’ with Soulja Boy and “Lay It Down” featuring Nicki Minaj. “Beat The S**t” featuring Gunplay talks about how one would “get dealt with” if they step out of line.

Juicy J contributes to “Trippy,” a song about being high from what they call a ‘trippy kit’, consisting of marijuana, meals and alcohol. Despite the numerous deaths from gun violence, especially towards our youth, Wayne continues to promote gun violence in his music. “Gunwalk” is a track about how he walks with a limp to symbolize he’s strapped, similar to the verse in Ace Hood’s “Hustle” remix where he raps about carrying a gun in his boxers.

“I Am Not A Human Being II” may not be as good as his previous albums but it is somewhat satisfactory.

Categories
DJ Khaled Kanye West Lil Wayne Nas Rick Ross Scarface T.I.P.

DJ Khaled – Kiss the Ring album review

While the cover of Kiss the Ring finds DJ Khaled doing his best Drake impression while wearing a comically oversized ring, don’t believe for a second that he has stepped away from his shtick. Khaled drops his yearly albums mostly to remind listeners of how ingrained he is in mainstream Hip-Hop. He’s not the type that could revolutionize the genre if he wanted to, but he is still surprisingly relevant in 2012.

From up-and-comers like 2 chainz and Meek Mill to big names like Kanye West, Nas, and Rick Ross, there really is an incredible roster on Kiss the Ring. With this ridiculous amount of talent, it’s not surprising that the album is full of songs that will be all over the radio in the very near future.

The absolutely vicious “Bitches & Bottles” seems like the obvious choice for the next single off of Kiss the Ring. Future sings a hook that is destined to be hide in the nooks and crannies of your brain and show up unexpectedly. As the beat builds, getting darker and darker, he howls out at the top of his lungs giving the chorus a life of its own. T.I. shows up in full Urban Legend mode for a verse that is an incredible reminder of his effortless confidence and talent when he’s on. Wayne’s verse isn’t as powerful in comparison, but having the instruments drop out for his first few bars makes it much more dynamic.

“Hip Hop” starts off with Khaled claiming that “This shit’s special!” which transitions into a verse that only the legendary Scarface could pen. While the sentiment would seem trite coming from a rapper without his credentials, Face beautifully describes the tumultuous ride that has been his career and how the rap game has left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. Anthropomorphizing his livelihood opens up a rawness in Scarface’s bars that does wonders for the track.

Kiss the Ring isn’t going to make any Top 10 lists as an album, but a few tracks will stick around long enough to justify a 2013 release for Khaled. That’s probably all he was aiming for anyway.

DJ Khaled - Kiss the Ring album review

Categories
Lil Wayne Rihanna Videos

Drake – HYFR video featuring Lil’ Wayne

Drake – HYFR video featuring Lil’ Wayne

Drake – Take Care video featuring Rihanna

Both songs from Drake’s “Take Care”

Categories
Lil Wayne Reviews

Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter IV review

With the flick of a lighter and Wayne’s signature pot-head giggle, Tha Carter IV kicks off like the distinctive whistle of an atomic bomb in a high speed plunge toward earth. In less than fifteen seconds, the self-proclaimed “King of Hip-Hop” will have you cowering beneath your kitchen table with your head between your knees in tumultuous anticipation of the lyrical explosion that is undoubtedly on it’s way to fuck up your world…

Unfortunately, the record begins not so much with a bang, but with a whimper.

Tha Carter IV’s hackneyed inaugural track “Intro” is a rigid, mid-tempo washout from the moment Weezy starts into his indolently written verse, until he finally puts the track out of it’s misery. Had he simply scrapped Intro all together and started off with the album’s second track Blunt Blowin’ Tha Carter IV would have had the volatile, momentous launch that is the God-given right of any release from the Young Money war chest. After all, Intro, Blunt Blowin’, and ten more of the record’s other eighteen songs start off with the exact same ‘lighter click, inhale’ combo anyway.

Despite the negative picture I’ve painted thus far, Lil’ Wayne quickly redeems himself, with an album whose track list is not only lyrically substantial but fearsomely catchy and addictive. Creative and original cuts like the chilling, pseudo-political President Carter and evocatively emotional Mirrors add humanity, depth, and dimension. Songs like How to Hate bring humor and edge, while its sister track How to Love provides us with a rare and momentary glimpse of the more sensitive side of the hip-hop powerhouse. If nothing else, Tha Carter IV is unquestionably, an album of layers and refreshing complexity.

So, once again I find myself on the opposite end of the spectrum from my music reviewing peers, who have unexplainably been foaming at the mouth, spitting licentious vitriol all over Tha Carter IV. In this writers humble opinion, Tha Carter IV, as a whole, is a much needed return to form for Weezy, especially after the half-witted rap-rock monstrosity that preceded it, Rebirth. If you can work your way passed its bumbling, snooze-worthy beginnings, and a few irritatingly repetitive and ridiculous production decisions.
Tha Carter IV is a great album.

Categories
Lil Wayne Reviews

Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 The Wait Mixtape Review

No worries Weezy, the apology is not necessary. Delivering to the masses an appetizer of what is to come on Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne’s latest mixtape is nothing deep or dense, presenting itself as a warm-up consisting of quirky, humorous freestyles over the latest Drake and Adele hits that, unquestionably, will provide a few laugh-inducing listens.

Hearing Lil Wayne rap over Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci” is great. “My homies got that white girl, they call it Lady Gaga” raps Wayne, his giddy wordplay standing out on this mentionable track.

In “Marvin’s Room” Wayne puts a thug bravado over Drake’s hit, his intentions passionate and strangely romantic, alluding to Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” for backup. “Grove St. Party” features guest rapper Lil B over the Waka Flocka Flame track, his swagged out delivery a perfect fit for Weezy’s.

“Sorry 4 The Wait” obviously stands out for its Adele sample, with Wayne throwing powerful punches and boastfully declaring that he is “ahead of the time.”

Overall, Sorry may not be comparable to the Drought tapes, but it is definitely fun and listenable. Lil Wayne’s delivery is witty and enjoyable, his rhymes layered with similes and metaphors that will provide for a quick laugh, or an instantaneous raise of the eyebrows. All over the place and absolutely amusing, Sorry will have you smiling, keeping you occupied until the next Carter drops.

Categories
Lil Wayne Rick Ross Videos

Rick Ross – 9 Piece (Remix) video featuring Lil Wayne

Rick Ross – 9 Piece (Remix) video featuring Lil Wayne

Producer: Lex Luger
Album: God Forgives, I Don’t
Director: Gil Green

Categories
Lil Wayne Rick Ross Videos

Lil Wayne – John video featuring Rick Ross

Lil Wayne – John video featuring Rick Ross

Categories
Lil Wayne The Game Videos

The Game – Red Nation video featuring Lil Wayne

The Game – Red Nation video featuring Lil Wayne

The Parris directed “Red Nation” music video will be available online only as it was deemed too controversial and was banned by MTV and BET networks

Categories
Lil Wayne Press Releases

Lil Wayne MTV Unplugged on MTV2

HIP-HOP TRIUMPHANTLY TAKES THE STAGE WITH MTV2 PRESENTS: LIL WAYNE UNPLUGGED

Latest Episode in the Groundbreaking Music Series Set To Premiere on Sunday, June 12th across MTV2, MTV and MTV.com

MTV2 today announced that it is set to welcome hip-hop’s hottest MC to the legendary “Unplugged” stage with MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged. As the world awaits his highly-anticipated ninth studio album, Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne is the latest artist to perform on this Grammy® and Emmy® award winning Unplugged music series. Featuring stripped down versions of his classics and more, MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged will premiere on Sunday, June 12th across MTV2, MTV and MTV.com at 9 PM ET / PT.

“Lil Wayne is an amazing choice for Unplugged as he is at hip-hop’s forefront – leading a new generation of artists whose appeal spans across music genres and playlists,” stated Amy Doyle, EVP, Music and Talent, MTV. “Lil Wayne’s skills, influence, and catalog are a powerful addition to the legacy of artists who have rocked the Unplugged stage.”

With well over ten million in sales, unquestionable street credibility, critical acclaim, industry accolades, eight Grammy nominations, and four Grammy wins for his multi-platinum selling album Tha Carter III, Cash Money/Universal Motown recording artist Lil Wayne has firmly laid to rest all doubt that he is anything less than the best. Now, with his upcoming 9th studio album release, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV is one of the most anticipated albums of 2011.

MTV’s Unplugged concert series first debuted in 1989 showcasing popular musical artists playing acoustically in an intimate setting. The acclaimed series is credited with starting an “acoustic revolution” among musicians, bringing acoustic instruments and arrangements back into the musical mainstream. Unplugged has received critical acclaim, spotlighting artists including Eric Clapton, who won six Grammys including Album of the Year for his performance, Nirvana who won Best Alternative Album Grammy for their Unplugged appearance, and Tony Bennett whose performance earned him Album of the Year honors. Other past Unplugged performers have included Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Mariah Carey, Oasis, Sting, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, R.E.M., LL Cool J, Aerosmith, Jay-Z and more. Most recently, Unplugged has evolved to showcase the work of today’s top artists and the stars of tomorrow such as Adele, Lykke Li, B.o.B., Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and more across MTV Music Group’s multiple digital platforms: Unplugged.MTV.com, Unplugged.CMT.com and Unplugged.VH1.com.

MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged is a production of Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager serving as Executive Producers. Garrett English, Amy Doyle and Joanna Bomberg serve as Executive Producers for MTV. Elena Diaz serves as Executive in Charge of Music Talent for MTV. The series was created by Robert Small and Jim Burns.

About MTV2

MTV2 is a man’s best friend, available in nearly 80 million homes and with the highest concentration of males 12-24 and 12-34 on TV today. A vibrant mix of music, lifestyle and action sports programming, MTV2 has reflected the habits and behavior of young people since its launch in 1996. MTV2 is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom, one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About MTV:

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy®, Grammy® and Peabody® award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About Den of Thieves:

Founded in 2007 by Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager, Den of Thieves has quickly emerged as a force for ambitious event shows and uniquely stylized reality television series. Using their extensive experience working with talent, Ignjatovic and Prager launched Den of Thieves as the TV arm of the Warner Music Group in 2007. After a successful three year partnership there, they branched out and are now fully independent. With an array of formats ranging from Comedy Central’s stand-up special “Russell Brand in NYC” to VH1’s “The T.O. Show” to the MTV Video Music Awards, Den of Thieves continues to create, develop and produce original television.

Categories
Lil Wayne Videos

Nardwuar vs. Lil Wayne video

Nardwuar vs. Lil Wayne video

Nardwuar interviews Lil Wayne in Vancouver, BC, Canada