Tag: Lil Wayne

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Reviews

J. Cole – The Album Before The Album review

Yo! Who Dat Who Dat!

I was incredibly excited to get this review under my belt. He has been releasing tracks day in and day out for the past couple months. I have caught some snippets here and there, but finally I had the chance to listen to the “The Album Before The Album” Boy oh boy! I was not disappointed in any which way.

He has Kanye West flow and Lil Wayne lyrics. After this album I wouldn’t be surprised if see him every where. Of course signing with one of the biggest and most respected artists in the world didn’t hurt him in any way. Obviously signing with Jay-Z would be the best things for anybody’s career. Yet, it takes a real man with real talent to make the most of it. If you listen to “Premeditated Murder” you will realize why Jay-Z acted so fast. In a small biography that I read about him he mentions that a lot of music tells stories. I repeat this in a lot of my reviews, but, one of the only ways for me to connect with the music, or even enjoy it Is for me to relate in one way or another. J. Cole does this incredibly well. “Show Me Something” is definitely the album’s outstanding track for it’s passion and depth.

“Premeditated murder” is just a taste of what he’s capable of. It tells a story of the journey he or any musician has had to go through to get where they are now. I have so much respect for people that have had to work incredibly hard to get to the point of success. One of the struggles that he talk about is if people will recognize him when he’s famous. For any individual, success is the hardest thing to handle. People change and become different people. He asks a question mid way through the song “Do you prefer the broke me, or rich me”? I could only imagine what the changes would be like for a spouse, girlfriend, and family. One day your wearing your bunny slippers, the next your walking the red carpet to the Grammys.

Overall J. Cole showcases his talent, passion and drive. Nothing has compared to this in a while.

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Press Releases Tour Dates

Conscious Hip-Hop returns to Billboard Top 100 as Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told lands on sales charts alongside Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West

Conscious Hip-Hop returns to Billboard Top 100 as Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told lands on sales charts alongside Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West

2011 Strange Noize Tour Dates Announced

Despite a lengthy 5 year hiatus, Saigon finally released his highly anticipated debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told, and was welcomed by a massive outpouring of fans hungry for conscious hip-hop. The album quickly shot to the top of the sales charts alongside Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West, while Saigon dominated the iTunes hip-hop sales charts for the week. Critics have already begun calling The Greatest Story Never Told one of the best hip-hop albums of 2011, as rave reviews pour in from The Source, HipHopDx, Village Voice, AllHipHop, and IGN.

“I’m very thankful to all those that went out and supported me by picking up a copy of The Greatest Story Never Told in stores or on iTunes. After all the struggles I’ve had trying to get this record out, it’s the best feeling in the world to know you have fans that will support you unconditionally,” commented Saigon. “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever see my record up there on the Billboard charts right alongside all the major players in the game. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting Saigon and helping score a victory for conscious hip-hop music.”

Saigon discusses the conscious elements of his new album The Greatest Story Never Told in a new video blog | view here

Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told was produced primarily by Just Blaze, the talented producer behind smash hits for Jay-Z, Eminem and T.I. The disc also features contributions from Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz (“Come On Baby”), Faith Evans (“Clap”) and Kanye West and former Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius (“It’s Alright”).

Saigon will be joining the 2011 Strange Noize Tour set to kick off this spring. The 3rd annual Strange Noize Tour brings together artists from two powerhouse record labels, Strange Music and Suburban Noize. With performances from artists representing both labels, Saigon will be touring alongside Johnny Richter of the Kottonmouth Kings, Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Potluck and J Hornay.

STRANGE NOIZE TOUR DATES:
Mar 05 – Detroit, MI @ Harpos
Mar 08 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
Mar 10 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
Mar 11 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium
Mar 12 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
Mar 17 – Crest Hill, IL @ Bada Brew
Mar 18 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Mar 19 – Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
Mar 19 – Fargo, ND @ Aquarium 21+
Mar 20 – Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown
Mar 21 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
Mar 22 – Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court
Mar 23 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Mar 26 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
Mar 28 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto
Mar 29 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Mar 30 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
Apr 01 – Magna, UT @ The Great Salt Air
Apr 03 – Casper, WY @ Downtown Grill
Apr 05 – Billings, MT @ The Railyard
Apr 05 – Billings, MT @ The Railyard 21+
Apr 06 – Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge
Apr 06 – Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge 21+
Apr 07 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat
Apr 08 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Boise
Apr 11 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Spokane
Apr 12 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
Apr 13 – Bellingham, WA @ Sportsplex
Apr 18 – Reno, NV @ The Knitting Factory

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Lil Wayne Press Releases

Lil Wayne, All Day Monday on Fuse TV

Beginning at 11am ET Monday, April 26, It’s All Lil Wayne, All Day

fuse.tv/lilwayne

New York, NY – Fuse, Madison Square Garden’s national music television network, is dedicating an entire day of programming to Lil Wayne on April 26 as part of the network’s Artist Takeover Mondays. Starting at 11am ET, viewers can catch exclusive Lil Wayne programming and take an in-depth look at the Grammy-winning rap icon’s life in a block of shows including “Beyond the Music: Lil Wayne,” “Lil Wayne’s World,” “Lil Wayne’s World 2” and “Loaded: Lil Wayne.”

The New Orleans born and bred rap star joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label and went on to receive eight Grammy nominations and four Grammy wins. Watch as Fuse follows Lil Wayne’s career as music fans await his return to the music scene.

LOADED: LIL WAYNE
Tune-in for some of the rapper’s most influential videos in Fuse’s half-hour music video franchise dedicated to one artist.

BEYOND THE MUSIC: LIL WAYNE
Go behind the scenes and backstage at recording studios and video shoots for candid conversations with the Southern rapper.

LIL WAYNE’S WORLD
Take a sneak peek inside the world of Lil Wayne’s World – highlighting his connections to just about everyone in today’s hip hop scene. Catch his hottest videos plus numerous cameos in videos from JAY-Z to Gym Class Heroes.

LIL WAYNE’S WORLD 2
Go even deeper into Lil Wayne’s influence across the music landscape and check out more of his best videos, collaborations and more.

WHAT: ARTIST TAKEOVER: LIL WAYNE

PREMIERE: Monday, April 26, 2010 at 11am ET

CHANNEL #: DirecTV 339 / EchoStar 158; cable subscribers, check local listing

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Press Releases

The Dream Team Producers Cool & Dre Receive a BET Hip Hop Awards Nomination for Producers of The Year! On Board for an Array of Major Production projects To Include Justin Timberlake’s new rock Group Free Sol, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy Bow Wow and Travis of Gym Class Hero’s new solo project!

The Dream Team Producers Cool & Dre Receive a BET Hip Hop Awards Nomination for Producers of The Year! On Board for an Array of Major Production projects To Include Justin Timberlake’s new rock Group Free Sol, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy Bow Wow and Travis of Gym Class Hero’s new solo project!

Hot New Tracks include Wale’s new single “World Tour” featuring Jasmin Sullivan

Hired exclusively to score Queen Latifah’s next film titled “Just Wright” and serve as Music Supervisors for the film

New York, N.Y. – September 21, 2009 – Miami Based Grammy nominated, chart-topping super producing duo Marcello “Cool” Valenzano and Andre “Dre” Lyon known as Cool & Dre and their production company Record Room Productions have received a BET Hip Hop Award nomination for Producers of The Year. They are also on board for an array of high profile music projects to include production on albums by Lil Wayne, Wale, Yung Jeezy, Travie of Gym Class Heroes, Amerie and more!

Cool & Dre have completed 10 tracks on Lil Wayne’s highly anticipated rock album titled “Rebirth” set for release this fall 2009. Cool & Dre have also produced Interscope recording artist Wale’s hit single “Chillin” featuring Lady Gaga which garnered heavy buzz and his latest single, “World Tour” featuring Jasmin Sullivan. The super duo are executive producers on Queen Latifah’s latest album “Persona” as well. Other projects in the works include production on Justin Timberlake’s new hip hop/rock group called Free Sol (signed to Timberlake’s Tennman Records), Amerie’s new album “Break Ups and Make Ups” and Lloyd’s upcoming album as well (titled TBD). Cool & Dre also recently completed the remix for Fall Out Boys’ hit song “America’s Sweetheart” and tracks on Birdman’s new album including the single, “Get it.” Their Epidemic Music imprint is also gearing up for the release of the debut album of hip-hop artist C-ride who is featured on Cash Money artist 2 Pistols single titled “Lights Low 2” produced by Cool & Dre as well.

Lastly, expanding into the world of movies and lending their talents to producing scores and soundtracks, Cool & Dre’s work was recently featured in a song titled “Walk The Dinosaur” performed by Queen Latifah featured in 20th Century Fox’s film “Ice Age 3” which was released on July 4, 2009. Cool and Dre have also been hired exclusively to score Queen Latifah’s next film titled “Just Wright” and serve as music supervisors for the film. “Just Wright” is a romantic comedy currently in pre-production and to be released on Fox Searchlight.

Cool & Dre recently did a “soft” launch of their site www.rateyourdemo.com. For a small fee aspiring writers, singers, producers and hip hop artists to upload their demos so that they can be exclusively reviewed exclusively by Cool & Dre. The review site has helped the duo discover neo R&B artist New Time Soul who they plan to work with. The site will has been converted to a full fledge social network site.

Aside from their musical skills, these entrepreneurs also keep busy with their clothing line named DIRTY ROYALTY – www.dirtyroyalty.com . The line is sold at major retailers in Miami (Shoe Gallery), Atlanta (Walters) and New York (Zevo).

ABOUT COOL & DRE

Cool & Dre create original music that crosses a variety of musical genres and that merge the lines that divide pop culture. This is evident when you look at the stellar list of artists that Cool & Dre have worked with which include Linkin Park, Lil Wayne, Gym Class Heroes, The Game, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Wale, Freeway, Darryl Hall, and Duffy to name a few. Cool & Dre have been instrumental in bringing to the masses such classic # 1 hits as “New York” by Ja Rule and “Hate it or Love It” by 50 Cent and The Game for which they were nominated for a Grammy award. Most recently they were also nominated in the prestigious Album of The Year category for their work with Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” and in the Best Rap Album Category for their work on Nas’ “Nas” album.

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Articles

Who Killed Auto-Tune?

Jay-Z knows what’s on your mind. And on mine too, come to think of it. What is with you Rappas Ternt Wannabe-Sangas?” Why you gotta drown your songs with a sorry excuse for a voice that’s so annoying that the only reason people aren’t bleeding out of their ears at the club is because they’re too wasted to notice the (T-)pain their ears are in? Hova’s new single, “Death of Auto-tune,” is stirring up almost as much controversy in the hip-hop world as Chris-Brown’s-fist-versus-Rihanna’s-face. I know, I know; it’s a stretch, but you know what I mean. Jay-Z knows how to get attention when he wants it. Just in time to sell some Blueprint 3 records too.

Make no mistake; auto-tune’s made its rounds since way before hip-hop’s less vocally gifted jumped on the bandwagon. Remember Cher? Ever since T-Pain came onto the scene with Rappa Ternt Sanga, he brought with him that wonderful little program called Auto-tune, and detonated it all over the face of hip-hop. To give T-Pain credit though, he does know to write a catchy hook. That’s why “Buy U a Drank” was on every radio DJ’s database, “Blame It (on the goose, gotchu feelin’ loose)” was hot at the clubs, and “Freeze” was spewing out of every kid’s iPod ear buds. The guy knows what he’s doing.

But when you start having Lil Wayne and Snoop “singing” about erupting lollipops, we’ve got a problem. For the fans who love the electric atmosphere of a good hip-hop concert, no matter how good those songs sound now, they’ll never be performed live. Well, they might, but it won’t sound anything like the album version – I promise. Kanye West would know. His entire 808s & Heartbreak album was auto-tuned to pitch-perfection, and it did phenomenally on the charts when it first came out and everyone was oohing and aahing over the utter craziness that is an album fully saturated with voice distortion. While I have the utmost respect for Kanye as an artist, ego or no ego, “Heartless” and “Amazing” didn’t last long in my playlist after the novelty and catchiness wore off. I have an Auto-tune Quota, and “Love Lockdown” unfortunately filled most of it.

Back to Jay-Z’s declaration of war on auto-tune: he’s careful to not name names, but really, you know who you are (i.e. any rapper who’s tried to actually sing one of his auto-tuned songs live and have it turn out like a half-rapped, half-shouted mess). Ironically enough, Kanye is producing most of Blueprint 3, though he promises to keep the auto-tune far, far away (is that why Jay-Z didn’t call him out?). Whenever you pour on the hate though, you always get some back, especially if dissing you means instant publicity. Jay-Z’s gotten his share of criticism for “D.O.A.” already from younger rappers who think he’s getting too old for the game, but I have to give Jay the last word: “Get back to rap, you T-Pain’n too much.”

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Articles

“Wow…” Bow Goes To Cash Money

It’s official. Bow Wow is a Cash Money Millionaire. The news came via Twitter last night and was followed by a live stream with the self proclaimed “Prince of the Rap Game.”

“Working with Wayne, that’s really cool ’cause Wayne is like my brother, anyway, we’re like best friends, so uh to have him right here with me… I’ve been living on my tour bus – he’s been living on his and we’ve been parking our tour buses like right beside each other, so…”

Bow Wow spent the last 9 years on Columbia/ Sony Records, where he more than held his own before announcing this year that he would be retiring from the “game” to give more attention to his already impressive acting career. He did, however clarify that he would continue to release mixtapes and do some cameos.

You have to wonder if this deal was sealed with a kiss.

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Busta Rhymes Videos

Busta Rhymes – Respect My Conglomerate video teaser Featuring cameos from Jadakiss, Lil Wayne, Tyrese, Xzibit, Idris Elba, David Banner, Spliff Starr, Jackie Long, Raekwon & Adam Rodriguez.

Busta Rhymes “Respect My Conglomerate”. Featuring cameos from Jadakiss, Lil Wayne, Tyrese, Xzibit, Idris Elba, David Banner, Spliff Starr, Jackie Long, Raekwon & Adam Rodriguez.