Rebirth is an idea that has roots grounded in the glamorous days of the 1970s. Big stars with even bigger egos attempting to conquer the world by all means necessary. Take Keith Moon, iconic drummer of The Who, for example. Not only did he outplay everyone on the sticks, but he also made a solo album and was featured in films. Sure in his often intoxicated mind he was a one man show capable of being all things to all people, but everyone not named Keith Moon shook their head in disbelief when he wasn't behind the drum kit.
Fast forward 40 years and the same concept of world domination still lives - even more so in the rap game. Why stick to music when you can have a clothing line, a record company, an energy drink, your own video game and starring roles in straight to DVD action films where you will always be the stereotypical black man (Oh Snap!)?
Even better yet, why just limit yourself to hip-hop when you can mash it with "rawk" to instantly forgettable results? I don't know if Lil' Wayne ever got the memo, but rap-rock is dead and for good reason. No it isn't because there was something wrong with frat boys like Fred Durst and those numb skulls from pre 2003 Papa Roach, something was flawed with the whole idea itself. The concept of rapping over brash guitars never seemed to come off as something genuine. It was always a fad and even the fact that Lil' Wayne is Lil' Wayne can't change that.
However Rebirth does bring something new to the table that Limp Bizkit didn't use - auto tune (surprise!). It's the gift that keeps on irritating and Weezy uses the voice fixing program to full effect as it serves the basis for every melody that exists on the album. Songs like "American Star", "Prom Queen" and "The Price Is Wrong" are simplistic and one dimensional as Wayne tries to rely on computers to lift his southern croak above the backdrop of stale guitars and stiff drumming that might as well have come from a drum machine - wait...
Not all is colorless and grating. There are moments where Wayne's brilliance comes out of hiding. "Drop The World" is him sticking to what he knows works best - straight forward hip hop filled with ballsy beats and bragging rhyme. No guitars or auto tune to be found here - just a fine cameo from Eminem. "Ima pick the world up and drop it on yo' fuckin' head" he boasts. Oh my Weezy! Too bad it's hard to believe your gangsta claims after a toss off album such as Rebirth.
The only stand out track where Wayne seems to pull off his rap rock ambitions is "Runnin". The best parts of slow jams and emo power ballads are paired to surprisingly effective results. I still can't tell if I like this song because of Wayne's delivery or the appearance of up and comer Shanell who blasts the song to another level with her over the top vocals abilities. But at this point I'm not going to try and analyze a bright spot on Rebirth as I may find a reason to regret my initial thoughts.
It seem as if Weezy has surrounded himself with "yes" people. No one has the gravitas to tell this multi-platinum stud when he is in the realm of irrational thought. "Oh really? You wanna make that kind of album? Sure that's a great idea! No I'm not being sarcastic at all".
I have every reason to believe that this was a genuine attempt by an artist to expand his creative capabilities as opposed to a quickly assembled album to cash in on the hype for Tha Carter IV due later this year. When he was recording Rebirth I'm almost positive that he thought he was making something beneficial for mankind. While he gets an A for effort the results are just about what you would expect - muddled, mix mashed, inconsistent and at times ear shatteringly awful. Instead of trying to be reborn, Wayne should reevaluate this plans for world domination. Anyone up for a Lil' Wayne shoe brand?
Grade: D+
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