Lil Wayne has sold millions of records, collaborated with the world’s top musicians, pushed Drake, his protégé, to the forefront and is always up on the next big thing in music.
Whether his success comes from sheer motivation or his drug-induced haze is up for you to decide.
But, of all his escapades and controversies, the release of his latest album might take the crown.
Rebirth is Lil Wayne’s seventh studio album in addition to an assortment of mixtapes and EPs.
What makes Rebirth so different from all of Wayne’s other albums is the fact that it is his first attempt at a rock n roll.
It is quite admirable to think that someone with so much influence in the rap scene would go against the grain and release a rock album.
His experiments with guitar and drums and his profound love of all kinds of music (Wayne has cited Nirvana as a favorite band) have resulted in the self proclaimed “best rapper alive” venturing into this new territory.
Rebirth features numerous A-list cameos accompanying Wayne’s guitar playing and punk rock vocals.
While The Carter III may have received critical acclaim and sold millions of copies, Rebirth has a lot to live up to, and quite frankly falls flat in comparison.
What’s so interesting about Rebirth is its constant “hot and cold” musicianship.
The album features some great tunes, like Drop the World and On Fire, but at the same time features songs like Get a Life and The Price is Wrong, which come off as feeble attempts not only of rock songs, but songs in general.
Lyrically speaking, Rebirth has ditched nearly all the one-liners that most people have grown accustomed to in Lil Wayne songs.
But at the same time, the lyrics may be one of the most punk rock aspects of this album.
“So I pick the world up and I’m a drop it on your f—ing head,” sings Wayne. “And I could die now. Rebirth mother f—er.”
While this album will surely segregate devout fans, the risk seems to be the least of Lil Wayne’s worries.
He’s repeatedly stated that he really doesn’t care if it does. Wayne wants to make this album because… well, he wants to.
Rebirth may feature tons of auto-tune vocals and weak guitar riffs and will probably go down as a flop, but if you only focus on that than you have missed the whole point.
Rock ‘n roll is a lifestyle. Rebirth is an attempt at exactly what the name describes.
The album may fall on deaf ears, but the angst and “I’m going to do what I want” attitude that Lil Wayne possesses on Rebirth is as punk rock as it comes.
And, in this respect, his new album can be seen as a success.
To contact Zach Fraser, email him at zfraser@ut.edu.