Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers
Atlantic: 2011
Wiz Khalifa is uncomplicated, or if you want to spin it another way, focused. The objects of his focus are what the average teen/young adult loves: the opposite sex, drinking, partying, and smoking the sticky. While these topics are familiar territory traveled in Wiz’s acclaimed Kush & Orange Juice mixtape, the vibe is decidedly more radio-friendly. Wiz is Taylor-made for the crossover due to his ability to sing a hook in addition to the abundance of good will from critics and fans earned with Kush & OJ, Flight School, How Fly with his smoking buddy Curren$y, and, for the purists of the “I was listening to him back when…” variety, Prince of the City 2.
As you’ve heard by now, “Black and Yellow” is the showstopper here as it became the must-remix song of the industry as every rapper rushed to rep their favorite team (word to San Quinn, et al for “Black and Orange”) in the remix. “Black and Yellow” is one of the more enjoyable hip-hop singles to have come along in the last few years and will be one of those “Girl that’s my song let’s hit the floor” songs that have managed to stay in rotation throughout the years. Wiz also comes with a song for the sweethearts in his second single, “Roll Up”, which will prompt girlfriends worldwide to get on their significant other asking why they can’t be more like Wiz.
In light of Rolling Papers’ popular sound, the production and the hooks are the strongest points of the album, as Wiz’s verses are mostly non-filling appetizers to his main course hooks. Stargate worked their Norwegian hitmaking magic with the two singles and what should have been the third, “Wake Up” instead of “No Sleep,” which has unfortunate parallels to Rebecca Black’s “Friday”. It’s nowhere near as bad, but they’re thematically similar and both went viral at the same time. Kush & OJ it ain’t, and his lyrics are far from game-changing, but Rolling Papers is ultimately catchy and will grow on you.
2.5 out of 5
