Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers - Hip Hop - 2LP
2LP

Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers


Label: Atlantic
527099-1, Rostrum Records – none
Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album, 45 RPM
New
Country: US
Released: 26 Apr 2011
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Pop Rap


Tracklist


When I'm Gone 4:09
On My Level 4:32 W/ Too Short
Black And Yellow 3:37
Roll Up 3:47


Hopes & Dreams 3:59
Wake Up 3:46
The Race 5:35


Star Of The Show 4:46
No Sleep 3:12
Get Your S**t 4:36


Top Floor 3:42
Fly Solo 3:20
Rooftops 4:21
Cameras 4:29




1 When I'm Gone
Producer – Big Jerm, E. Dan


2 On My Level
Programmed By, Keyboards – Jim Jonsin
Keyboards [Additional] – Danny Morris
Producer – Jim Jonsin
Rap [Featuring] – Too $hort



3 Black And Yellow
Instruments – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen
Producer – Stargate




4 Roll Up
Instruments – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen
Producer – Stargate








5 Hopes & Dreams
Producer – Brandon Carrier



6 Wake Up
Instruments – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen
Producer – Stargate



7 The Race
Producer – Big Jerm, E. Dan






8 Star Of The Show
Rap [Featuring] – Chevy Woods
Producer – Big Jerm, E. Dan



9 No Sleep
Guitar – Andrew Luftman, Benny Blanco
Instruments, Programmed By – Benny Blanco
Producer – Benny Blanco


10 Get Your Shit
Producer – E. Dan






11 Top Floor
Producer – Oak Of The Knightwritaz, Pop Wansel


12 Fly Solo
Producer – E. Dan


13 Rooftops
Rap [Featuring] – Curren$y
Producer – Bei Maejor


14 Cameras
Producer – E. Dan





The description of rap music has transformed in recent years greatly. This transformation isn't to say that gangsta or `southern' rap idioms are dead, but in recent times, rap has become characterized by a more alternative, crossover nature, if you will. Opponents may state this has compromised the style while proponents will state this intellectualizes a rather `unintellectual' genre. Positions aside, promising rapper Wiz Khalifa's major label debut Rolling Papers falls in line with modern rap, much like his contemporaries B.o.B., Drake, and KiD CuDi. On Rolling Papers, Wiz raps, sings, and `smokes' his way through the material. Rolling Papers is well rounded overall, but not quite the home run of Thank Me Later (Drake) or B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray [Explicit] (B.o.B.). Creative, Rolling Papers shines through its flaws.

"When I'm Gone" opens the album with a mysterious tone, highlighted by acoustic piano and an air of introspection. Wiz begins rapping past the one minute mark, allowing the track to build up and simmer into a synth-driven effort. Wiz sings through a lengthy but unifying hook that helps set the tone for this effort. "When I'm Gone" does not mark a valedictory performance, though second cut "On My Level" featuring Too $hort extends the momentum greatly. Jim Jonsin's low key production work is a perfect match for Wiz's stoner rhymes, not to mention a fiery collaboration with underrated rapper Too $hort.


"Black and Yellow" is pop er... I mean hip-hop gold produced by Stargate - an unlikely collaboration for Wiz or the Swedish pop/R&B hit makers (Beyoncé, "Irreplaceable", Ne-Yo "So Sick") . "Roll Up," similarly, proves another collaboration made in hip-hop heaven between Wiz & Stargate - who would've thought?



"Hopes & Dreams" is a welcome change of pace "Wake Up" brings Stargate back to the fold for another great cut, even if it sounds ever too similar to "Roll Up." "The Race" is exceptional as well, again alluding to Wiz's `smoking habits' in the hook: "I'm riding around, smoking, good music aloud, kinda do my thing, no disrespect to the... some smile up in your face then they don't on the low, now I just stunt on my own..." "Star of the Show" featuring Chevy Woods may be the slightest bit too long, but the production stands out if nothing else does. "No Sleep," a popular single from Rolling Papers gets production credits from Benny Blanco. "No Sleep" is a bit too lazy and `same-y', but works.

"Get Your S**t" uses strummed guitars, sounding more like an adult contemporary R&B song as opposed to a hip-hop cut. The use of background vocals prove to be a nice touch. "Top Floor" is enjoyable, while "Fly Solo" reminds one of "Erase Me" from KiD CuDi's Man on the Moon 2: The Legend of Mr Rager. "Rooftops" featuring Curren$y is unmemorable while "Cameras" closes the album solidly.


'Black and Yellow' is one of the hottest hip-hop records in the recent market

Certified gold, 'Black and Yellow' is the first major track from Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa's arsenal to break the Billboard Top 10 Digital Singles chart. Furthermore, Wiz was ranked #3 on Google's 'Most Searched People of 2010' report. It seems like the stars are just beginning to align for this hip-hop rookie's career.




Wiz Khalifa - Black & Yellow

Official Music Video




Wiz Khalifa - On My Level Ft. Too Short

[Official Music Video]







Wiz Khalifa - When I'm Gone - Music Video






Wiz Khalifa - No Sleep


Concert at Virginia Tech - 04/03/2011






Wiz Khalifa - Roll Up

Music Video