Wiz Khalifa 'Rolling Papers' (Atlantic/Rostrum)
Talk about pressure to deliver.
Wiz Khalifa, rap rookie of the year, dropped "Black and Yellow" last fall as a setup track for his work-in-progress major label debut and third proper studio album. Not only did it become an anthem for a Steelers Super Bowl run, it went viral and then shot to No. 1 on the charts.
As if there weren't already high expectations (pun somewhat intended), now they were amped up times 10, and the long hours in the studio began.
Tuesday is the official "Rolling Papers" day for the Pittsburgh rapper, although it sprung a leak this week. Even if you haven't downloaded the whole thing, you've heard the singles by now: the rocking "Black and Yellow" (of course) and the chilled-out follow-ups "Roll Up" and "The Race."
They indicated that "Rolling Papers" would have a smokier, more mellow vibe than mixtape "Kush and Orange Juice," and that's pretty much the case. This is certainly Wiz's polished major-label look. He says on "Rooftops," "you try to copy what's been done/I'm tryna innovate," but it doesn't take a lot of chances as most of the songs ride smooth, minor-key, billowing synth-laden beats from producers Stargate (in New York) and E. Dan (at ID Labs in Pittsburgh). When you get to "Top Floor" you might be thinking "not another one." It's a welcome break when he lashes out on the breakup song "Get Your [expletive]."
"Rolling Papers" does have its poppy twists. "Fly Solo" is an uptempo acoustic guitar-driven tune that would fit on a Gym Class Heroes album. "No Sleep" sounds like the grown-up version of blink-182 popped in for the chorus. They actually didn't, but turning up for features are Too $hort and Curren$y -- no Ke$ha (to complete the dollar-sign theme), and no Snoop Dogg or Rick Ross despite all the time they spent together in LA.
The themes aren't too heady or hard to decipher. If you want that, visit Kanye's "Dark Fantasy." Here, there's girls, weed, Cliquot, fame and money. "Back in the day money was short, I'm makin' it taller," he raps on the opening track, "When I'm Gone."
That's sure to continue, because, while Wiz doesn't blow the walls down on "Rolling Papers," what shines through is his cozy, smile-inducing voice (rapping or singing), offbeat sense of melody and rhythm and easy-going rhyme-ability. With "Rolling Papers," he's packaged that bigger-than-life, chilled-out persona that sets him apart from the rest of the rap game.
-- Scott Mervis
NEW MUSIC THIS WEEK:
The Strokes, "Angles": New York garage poppers unleash their fourth album, likely to be one of the biggest rock releases of the year after a buzz-worthy appearance at last week's SXSW.
Green Day, "Awesome As [Expletive]": The poppy punkers have some serious live chops, and they're on full display on Green Day's latest, a concert document celebrating their 2009-10 "21st Century Breakdown" world tour.
Jennifer Hudson, "I Remember Me": The "Dreamgirls" R&B superstar returns with her second album, which includes the new R. Kelly-penned and -produced "Where You At" as the first single.
Duran Duran, "All You Need Is Now": These British '80s new wavers are still going strong after these many years, and their 13th album is a highlight of their career.
Also: James Blake, "James Blake"; Joe Bonamassa, "Dust Bowl"; Chris Brown, "F.A.M.E."
First Published: March 24, 2011, 8:00 a.m.
