[Review] Lil' Wayne - Rebirth

Artist: Lil' Wayne

Album: Rebirth

Label: Cash Money/Universal

Release Date: Unknown 2010

Guests: Kevin Rudolf, Shanell, Nicki Minaj & Eminem.

Producers: Cool & Dre, Eminem, Develop, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, DJ Infamous, Essay Potna, Chase & Cashe, Hit-Boy & Drew Correa



When Lil' Wayne announced that he would be recording a rock album, I never thought it would happen. I mean, Kanye made an album where he sang about heartbreak, but it is nowhere near his strongest material, and failed in comparison to what I think he was expecting. But when the best rapper (supposedly) is dropping an album aimed at a different audience, Im sure the label must be expecting a backlash.



Afterall, Weezy has already generated hate from rap fans on social netowrking sites such as Facebook, telling him not to make a rock album, and even rockers themselves are saying it wont work. And this becomes another problem for me - do I review the album in comparison to other rap albums and other Lil' Wayne albums, or do I review it as a rock album, and in comparison to other rock artists?

The factor is, Im not sure whether this album will be acceoted on either side. Rap fans will be hugely disappointed with the style, and not just because he is not rapping, but because he is not inflicting clever punchlines, and his lyrical content has changed. I feel that he is aiming this album towards male high school students, as he is putting himself in their shoes. But on the other hand, rock fans will know that Weezy is not a rocker, and is just trying to add more fans to his following. Although he does play the guitar in a few of the tracks, it is pretty much nothing ground breaking, and dont expect any clever string solos or crowdsurfing at gigs for now.

There are a few nice touches to the CD - the track with Eminem has a nice feel to it, and Eminem's verse, possibly something leftover from all of his Relapse material, dives straight into the dark mind of the artist of the decade. 'Prom Queen', is a song about rejection, and despite being leaked several months ago as the first single off the album, it remains one of the handfull tracks I think fans will take to. There is another track that I think will be the next single - a sample of the intro of Amy Holland's 'Shes On Fire', fans of the Scarface movie will recognise this instantly, but I feel that the sample (produced by Cool & Dre) is a too basic loop, and fails to capture much of the best parts of the original song.

Personally, I would give this album a low score, as I think Weezy's rock style is fake and see through, but I do not think it will be a disaster. With his reputation on the line, it may be that Weezy changes his music completely and decides to release more rock albums, but I hope not. Bring on Tha Carter IV.

5/10