Saturday, February 11, 2012 4:06 pm
Montgomery Blair High School's Online Student Newspaper
March 7, 2010

Weezy turns whiny

by Blake Morgan-Gamber, Online Features and Sports Editor
Despite its title, Lil Wayne's latest album, "Rebirth," evokes previous albums such as "Tha Carter III," as Wayne spits his typical lyrics about money and women. Now a record producer for his label "Young Money" with newcomers like Drake and Nicki Minaj under his wing, Wayne is experimenting out of hip-hop and into a new genre - rock. Though Wayne's attempt at a new style is admirable, "Rebirth" presents trite lyrics and a scattered sound.

"Rebirth," Lil Wayne's first ever rock album, was released Feb. 2. Courtesy of Cash Money Records
"Rebirth," Lil Wayne's first ever rock album, was released Feb. 2.
"Rebirth" was originally scheduled to be released on April 7, 2009. However, after several delays from Wayne's desire to perfect the album, it was finally released on Feb. 2. Wayne's first attempt at rock is a 12-track album that includes songs featuring Eminem, Kevin Rudolf and Nicki Minaj. Unfortunately, these big names don't add much to the quality of Lil Wayne's new songs.

On the album, Wayne proves that his raspy voice is more suitable for rapping than for singing. In songs, such as "Paradice" and "Prom Queen," Wayne sings, or rather whines, the chorus "Oh this ain't no paradice" over and over. His vocals are messily performed but he succeeds in one thing - wailing like a teenage boy.

Wayne does rap in some singles on "Rebirth." Although he raps the usual, his lyrics are below average. Throughout his career, Wayne has made his name in hip-hop for humorous and witty lyrics, as well as the craftiness of his rhymes. In "Rebirth," however, Wayne finds it acceptable to repeat "Da Da Da" continuously before screaming more lyrics. "Rebirth" simply has lyrics that are "Da Da Da" dumb.

Wayne's first single off of "Rebirth," "Prom Queen," received attention when it leaked in 2009. However, this song, and the entire album in general, is confusing to Wayne's fans. All the elements of the song are different - a bad kind of different - from what Wayne has produced in the past. Plus, Wayne ends any promise that the song had by whining explicit lyrics repeatedly. But Wayne does attempt to play the guitar in this track, which makes the song more memorable compared to the rest of the album.

Some of the rock and roll tracks on "Rebirth" feature Lil Wayne playing the guitar. Courtesy of The Diary of Lil Wayne
Some of the rock and roll tracks on "Rebirth" feature Lil Wayne playing the guitar.
If listening to the entire album doesn't make listeners cringe already, the last track "The Price is Wrong," is sure to leave them annoyed. Wayne takes hardcore rock to a new extreme. Not only is the poor quality of the sound of the song difficult to handle, but the lyrics are too angry and repetitive. The chorus of the song is Wayne incessantly repeating "okay" before proceeding to verbally bash a girl for breaking his heart. Clearly something (not just the price) went "wrong" when Wayne decided to include this track on the album.

As a rapper notorious for his inventive lyrics and catchy beats, Wayne fortunately he has time to redeem himself after presenting this ghastly rock album. Since 2004, Wayne has produced three commercially-successful albums and been featured on tracks by the likes of Destiny's Child, Chris Brown and Wyclef Jean.

Since Wayne's rap career has been exploding thus far, it's surprising that he would want to produce an album with a rock and roll vibe, a genre that is clearly not his musical forte. Wayne has discussed the creation of future collaborative albums with other rappers like Juelz Santana and Lloyd and has talked about producing "Tha Carter IV." Hopefully Wayne will ditch rock, so his fans will be able to experience a true "Rebirth" of his career.

Discuss this Article

  • big dang on March 8, 2010 at 7:34 AM
    Lil Wayne looks looks terrible in that pic playing the guitar
  • Your Mom on March 8, 2010 at 5:08 PM
    aite young money sux dey try to rap dey cnt evn do tht ima tell u up rite naw real rap be underground, weezy n young money dey aint nothin, eminem da only gud mainstream rapper, but real rap be nas immortal technique jedi mind tricks eminem lupe ima tell u now if songs play on 99.5 dey suck lil wayne drizzy young money all fake rapers
  • 2pacisALIVE (View Email) on March 8, 2010 at 9:38 PM
    While I agree to an extent, I will say that there are some good mainstream rappers such as Lupe fiasco,kid cudi, and old school jay-z. What you hear on the radio is not rap, it's hip pop. Club music has taken over the industry and people were abusing auto-tune left and right. I've always disliked lil Wayne and never saw the appeal in him.
  • Weezy Fan (View Email) on March 12, 2010 at 10:23 PM
    You have no idea what your talking bout..all you first of..Drop the World is the hottest song out..Da Da Da is one of the top 3 of the album...you didnt mention On FIre, which is blazin hot rite now..Dont forget knock out, with nicki Minaj . And all the people who say they like Underground hip hop, and real lyricist...Nobody wants to listen to a song and have to have a dictionary in their hand, music is changing and there is nothing you can do about it.. Rebirth Album is hot, or it wouldnt have been number 2 on the billboard charts. This article is terrible, you clearly know nothing about Lil Wayne
  • Lil Wayne is legit on March 14, 2010 at 8:01 PM
    Give Weezy a pass on this album, everyone has an off-day everyone once in a while, and as a Lil Wayne fan, I take offense when people start saying he is a sellout mainstream loser. Have you not listened to his mixtapes? And I'm not just talking about his old ones, he has some pretty amazing stuff on the Dedication 2, Da Drought 3, and No Ceilings. Listen to "Watch My Shoes," from the No Ceilings mixtape and you will realize just how good Lil Wayne is. Please don't compare Lil Wayne to the bubble gum pop crap out there like Soulja Boy and what not, because Lil Wayne has consistently shown his skills as a creative lyricist.
  • young money on March 16, 2010 at 10:07 AM
    weezy da best. live from tha 5hunned an fo its mr crazy flow jumpin like a bungie no rope even in tha dungeon i glow even if it aint sunny i glow if it aint bout money i go nowehere im nailed to tha flo money controls where i go it is the sail to my boat
    • C on March 23, 2010 at 5:01 PM
      Uhh....translation please
Jump to first comment