Bang Time Arts

Wiz Khalifa. What more can I say? He's made it, or has he?

Ever since the release of the chart-topping unofficial Pittsburgh Anthem and what most would call his breakthrough single (and also the first official single off his new album), 'Black and Yellow', Wiz has had high expectations.

When the 23 year old announced the release date for his new album, 'Rolling Papers', his already large fan base grew and anticipation was certainly high. 

After a slew of highly successful singles like 'Roll Up', 'The Race' and 'No Sleep', you definitely weren't alone if you had a strong feel of excitement. I know I was.

However (and I say that with a strong and legitimate feeling of disappointment), when I got my hands on the album and listened to what Wiz had to say, I felt letdown. I didn't feel like I gained anything from listening to the album.

The first words of the opening track, 'When I'm Gone', are "And they say all I rap about is bitches and champagne, you would to if every night you seeing the same thing" At what point do those particular topics get, dare I say, boring? After hearing these words I thought I was going to listen to an album that ultimately proved the haters wrong, but I was wrong. Instead I heard a bit about his bitches and a bit about his money, mixed in with a bit about his weed. Then again, that is the image Wiz Khalifa has created for himself. He's young, fly and confident. Who doesn't like that?

The album isn't a complete flop though. It's just, the best songs on the album were all released as singles and the rest of the album just falls short. It features only three other rappers, those being Too $hort, Currensy and Chevy Woods. The production team includes the likes of E. Dan mostly, but there is a strong contribution from Big Jerm, Benny Blanco, Pop Wansel, Jim Jonsin and of course Stargate, the guys who brought us 'Black and Yellow' and Wiz's other recent singles.

I hope my review of 'Rolling Papers' was informative, be sure to tell us what you think about it once you get your hands on it.

Keep it banging.

Luke

One of the few advantages of living in Australia is getting Lupe Fiasco's new album earlier than the rest of the world.

The much anticipated (and delayed) third studio album of Chicago-native Lupe Fiasco was released on 4th March 2011 and is entitled Lasers. It was first announced way back in 2009 and wasn't given a solid release date until late 2010. In an interview with Australian radio station Triple J, he stated: "It's one of the sadder parts of being on a major record label. At a certain point, it's out of your hands."

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is by far one of the most underrated rappers and producers at the moment. He is one of very few rappers these days who are actually rapping for a purpose.

Born and raised in Chicago, he generated an interest in Hip-Hop after originally disliking the genre for its vulgarity. He started recording songs in his father's basement and joined an underground group called Da Pak but disbanded shortly after its inception.

Fiasco soon met fellow rapper Jay-Z, who helped him sign a deal with Atlantic Records. In 2006, Fiasco released his debut album Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor on the label and it received commercial and critical acclaim. He then released his second album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, in December of 2007. His single 'Superstar' became a hit and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. His upcoming third studio album, Lasers, is slated for a March 8 release.

Lupe Fiasco has a certain knack for creating lyrical masterpieces that have a meaning behind them that's relevant to today's social and political issues. This is another reason why I, and many others, think he is so underrated. His rhymes are so damn catchy and his flow is so smooth.

Hopefully with the release of his new album, Lasers, he will also gain the respect and stardom that I think he deserves and get him up there with the likes of Kanye West and such.

Tell us what you think. Do you think Lupe is one of the most underrated rappers out there? Or do you think he has been given his fair share of fame?

Keep it banging.

Luke.

You either love it or hate it.

As I'm writing this now I'm being exposed to the useless (and quite simply annoying) Twilight series. For those that don't know Twilight is originally a best selling book about a love story between a human girl and a lifeless vampire (oh and a so called 'hot' werewolf boy)

What really annoys me is the back and forth love story. "I love him, no now I love him, wait now I love him", for crying out loud MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Choose one and stick to it, what is so hard about it?

Of course the women reading this have already unsubscribed and the men are inches close to subscribing but here me out. Of course a little love story is alright but not when it drags on for hours on end. What can be so hard about choosing honestly?

Let me know what you think, give us a yell. Catch you later.

Keep it Banging,

Rhys