Sports Editor
Is that sexist, profane gangster rap I hear?
Lil Wayne released “Tha Carter IV” this month, and the expectations for the album were incredibly high due to the success of the 3x Platinum hit “Tha Carter III” and the critical and commercial failure of “Rebirth” and “I Am Not a Human Being.”
While Weezy may live up to commercial and critical expectations, he isn’t living up his own expectations.
Relative to other 2011 hip-hop releases, “Tha Carter IV” is a well-produced, catchy album that will satisfy fans who felt that “Tha Carter III” was too commercial. The hit single “6 foot 7” infected the airwaves over the past year, and “How To Love” is a fan favorite that has planted itself firmly into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart over the past 14 weeks.
Overall, the album definitely deserves a listen. Lil Wayne never takes himself too seriously, so “Tha Carter IV” is a fun and lively album. The beats are well-crafted, and Bruno Mars, Drake and John Legend lend their musical expertise and add to a star-studded cast.
However, many listeners will be disappointed with this album. Instead of his rhymes being clever and well-constructed, Weezy settles for the obvious and seems a bit unorganized in his storytelling.
In terms of lyrics, the difference from “Tha Carter II” to “Tha Carter IV” is astounding, and it doesn’t take a rap aficionado to tell the difference.
Here’s a line from “Tha Carter II”:
“All I have in this world is a pistol and a promise/ A fist full of dollars, a list full of problems.”
And here’s a line from “Tha Carter IV”:
“I stick to the script, I memorize the lines/ ‘Cause life is a movie that I’ve seen too many times.”
See the difference? I could have written the line from “Tha Carter IV,” and I’m a semi-awkward white guy who occasionally raps as a hobby (yeah, I’m as terrible as anyone would expect). If an awkward white rap hobbyist can equal the creativity of Lil Wayne, then Lil Wayne isn’t being creative enough.
Creativity – now that’s dope.
Lil Wayne’s rhymes clearly seem uninspired, and his subject matter is at fault. Unfortunately, Weezy is running out of ways to tell stories because all of his stories are the same. How many different ways can a man tell people that he’s a pimped-out, money-engulfing pothead? It’s been over 10 years since you released your first album, Weezy. I think it’s time to move on to more mature subject matter – and by mature, I mean the clean-your-house kind of mature, not the make a drug deal kind of mature. Don’t get me wrong. I like mindless, offensive rap as much as the next guy. But when it’s the same rap over and over again, it becomes boring quickly.
“Tha Carter IV” is a solid rap album, but Lil Wayne’s act is getting a “Lil” old.
dlmeyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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