Album Review: Lil’ Wayne – Rebirth (2010)
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Potholes
It’s an exhausting chore to be considered one of the greatest artists in a certain field. But it can be embarrassing when someone steps outside the lines of their acquired talent. Look at endless defunct albums by ball players trying to be rappers (i.e. Kobe Bryant) or when rappers trying to be actors (insert hilarious line delivered by Nas in Belly). Problem being, that when someone is talented in a specific field, there’s a thin line between artistic integrity and reckless. Unfortunately Lil’ Wayne’s constantly pushed back rock album Rebirth is of the latter.
I did two things before listening to this project. First, I watched the now infamous documentary about Lil’ Wayne titled The Carter. And then I refused to have any expectations for Rebirth before listening.
Doing those two things gave me an understanding of what to expect. First off, Lil’ Wayne is in a delicate situation where he is obsessed with himself. That may not be a bad thing (as so many rappers are). Sometimes the results aren’t bad. Songs like “American Star” and “Paradise” shows that Wayne is a talented writer. Despite the musical backdrops leaving a little to be desired (and him exhausting the auto-tune filter), no one can deny that Wayne is talented. Also, the song “Drop The World” featuring Eminem should have been featured on The Carter 3 as it’s the blatant standout on the album.
But more often than not, the album seems to be more like an overindulgent artist with the power to have any project green-lit (and maybe because that’s true).
Between auto-tuned moans and groans on tracks like “Get A Life” and “Knockout”, it becomes clearer that he does in fact have limitations (and actually gives me a greater appreciation for people that actually use the auto-tune filter and actually sound half way decent).
Hopefully Wayne’s next project will be him back to form as he can understand that not everyone can do this rock inspired-rap-hybrid project. This reminds me of Chris Gaines. A fictional character that Garth Brooks created in the late ’90s used to exercise his musical diversity. After so many attempts to promote the idea, the public didn’t buy the idea and the album was never released. Lucky for Garth but unfortunately for Wayne that this saw the light of day. Let’s hope The Carter 4 will show him back in top form.
this is the best album of Lil Wayne that i have ever heard and i dont believe wat the others say but he truly rocks !!!
Tha Carter II is the only album thats worth reviewing by Wayne…nuff said
I find it hard to respect him at all. throughout his entire career for every respectable verse he has like 15 terrible ones. the only reason i think he is popular at all is because of his weird voice, dope beats, and unusual character. people now adays just want to listen to shit that they can dance to or that have simple enough lyrics that they can sing along. half the time his lyrics don’t even make sense or you can’t understand him. i feel like i could write better lyrics than half his song in like 10 minutes.
The Carter II was dope… errythang after=ehhhh not so much. lol
I heard the leaks from this last year and was like oh hells nah. He is a rapper who has potential, but he is not utilizing it well.
He’s a very talented guy, and he could do SOO much more artistically. His album I wasn’t feeling at all……and I don’t say that often. I like one song, which would be Drop The World, but the rest was weak in my opinion.
Peace, Em.
i agree completely with the rating you give “Rebirth.” It was complete garbage. But for people on here to say Wayne isnt talented is going a little too far. Im not a big Wayne fan in any sense of the imagiantion but songs like Dr. Carter do show that he has the ability to create some incredible music. And Drop the World is a great song all around, not just for eminems verse. Every one has their own opinon which I respect, but i think its a little to much to say Wayne has no talent…
And this aspect of “Rebirth” devaluing rock n roll music is compeltly off base. Any one that is a real fan of rock n roll wont consider Lil Wayne to be a rock artist. Just like most real hip hop heads dont consider Wayne to be the best rapper alive, let alone one of the top 50. I cant agree either with the idea that wayne has “fucked the image of rock as a great musical
platform.” Once again what Wayne has done is not Rock n’ Roll. Its more of a retard version of MOP than a spin on Hendrix or Clapton.
The musical landscape we live in today is vastly different than what we grew up with. Our ideas of popular music will never be the same but if we remain true to the idea of good music and artistic integrity then we will see continued success (in terms of generating good music, not sales) in all genres of music.
TO EACH HIS OWN.
Here’s my review: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/lil_wayne/rebirth/
I’m surprised that you found it in you to give this anything other than .5 or a 1. That’s a bold move in and of itself, and that’s coming from someone who’s been battling for Wayne’s respectability ever since the theme to Hardball with Lil’ Zane and his “Shine” single. I’d love for anyone who immediately knocks this album down to take a look at my review, it’s long so I won’t post it here, but here’s an excerpt that I think is one of the more important things to take away from this album. (And, by the way, “Knockout” is going to be big with this generation’s version of Good Charlotte fans):
I’m waiting patiently for the inevitable spin that what Wayne’s done here is his most hip-hop moment yet: by devaluing rock ‘n’ roll and self-censorship to such an enormous level, he’s completely fucked the image of rock as a great musical platform and redefined it. The mystical, artistic qualities of music rarely apply here, nor do the subtleties. Rebirth is entirely singular and makes its own compelling argument, however ugly it is. It’s never less than honest with listeners, but if by some chance this album should come to influence untold numbers of people I’m worried what that means for music as a whole. Rebirth “works” in 2010 coming from Lil’ Wayne, but are we really that excited for swarms of d-boy fashionistas rap-singing over processed instrument loops?
Yeah, agreed, Ross. I mean, “Drop the World” is OK, at best, just because of Em’s verse.
When a few track leaked in early ’09……I knew this was going to be garbage.
I can deny that lil wayne is talented. Auto-tune forever + not giving a fuck about your genre or what you say on a track = bullshit. I will never know why people follow or respect this guy.. People always give lil wayne and jay-z love no matter how bad they let hip hop down while artists like Shad K. will never get the recognition they deserve.