Now before you read this, if you don't like rap or Lil Wayne, then dont bother to comment. I really can't stand that. But if you feel you have something to comment on, then comment on the review. Thanks.
Now that I have that out the way, I should have done this a LONG time ago, but I need to listen to this multiple of times to really get it. And I am listening to it now as we speak. Truly, Lil Wayne has proven to be the "best rapper alive." Ever since the Tha Carter II, Wanye has delivered 100 (and I mean hundreds) of songs across various mixtapes. We have seen rappers rise and fall. Lil Wayne is not one of them. Selling more than 420,000 copies on the first day, proves something. Then to end the week with the title of your song (A Milli, for those who don't know) means that this is something worth getting. Not only to crack it in a week, but within a month to sell another million, making it 2x platinum shows people really like this guy. Me, personally, I downloaded this CD a week
before it came out. I was disappointed in the taste of style. But after really listening to it over and over (and now), I realized that this CD is a work of hip-hop art.
Now to lay down track-by-track
1) 3 Peat - With an intro so promising, its really a good opener. From lines like "You can't get on my level/you need a space shuttle/or a ladder that's forever" are really something only Lil Wayne can come up with. His voice is crying over the beat in such a way that he wants you to keep listening.
2) Mr. Carter (feat. Jay-Z) - Looks like this a return favor from "Hello Brooklyn." With a name and song for ingeniously thought of, this track features two of the giants in the rap game today. If you don't get the name, it's Dwayne Carter (Wayne) & Sean Carter (Jay-Z). This track proves that Wanye is unselfish and respects other artists.
3) A Milli - Well, I am sure everyone heard this song. With a monterous beat, and a no-hook rap, it sits as one of those bass knockers. Not only those the beat masters other songs, but the verses also tops quality songs. Ranging from "We pop em like Orville Redenbacher" to "The bible told us every girl was sour/Don't play in her garden" it's really single to be heard for a very long time
4) Got Money (feat. T-Pain) - Maybe one of my least favorite songs on the album. Maybe Wayne and T-Pain sound too much a like. Like usual, every rapper has to brag on his money. I do admit, it has a catchy chorus, that can really get stuck in your head for a long time. I will say that at a club, this song is perfect a late-night event.
5) Comfrontable (feat. Babyface) - It may be me, but I thought this guy was dead. Just kidding, folks. Here we see a more sensitive side of Wayne, after all everyone one needs a break. Honestly, Wanye yells more than he raps. You can't complain because with a beat and chorus like that, it's hard to rap to. This song is good for setting the mood, or just something relaxing..with out the voice of Wayne.
6) Dr. Carter - Well, well. This is a mature track. He talks how he can save hip-hop's life (hence Nas's album Hip-Hop is Dead.) He talks about other rappers (Kayne West, Young Jeezy) and even quotes West. He tries three times to revive hip-hop, and like always, the third time is the charm. Well done, well done.
7) Phone Home - This has to be one of the most original songs that a rapper ever created. With the likeness of E.T., Wayne spits how "we are not the same, I am a martian." It's rather a song for bragging rights. Let's be honest, he can you compare to someone who is as crazy as this guy? This track shows the little kid in him.
8) Tie My Hands (featuring Robin Thicke) - So we meet again? Thicke has returned to do a song with Wayne. In this track, Wayne raps how the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is still in effect. He also talks how he thinks President Bush doesn't care: "my whole city under water, some people still floatin/and they wonder why black people still voting, cause your presidents still chokin." With a slick beat, and smooth chorus, this song is a rap song very close to R&B.
9) Mrs. Officer (feat. Bobby Valentino) - This song has to be another on of those funny, sexy songs. With Bobby moaning a siren over the beat, and Wayne backing it up with an experience with a lady cop, he delivers another hit for the ladies. This song is really something that can be played in a convertible on a hot, sunny day. This shows how much chemistry Wayne has with his collaborations.
10) Let the Beat Build - Just as the name implies, we have to build something before we can do it. Unfortunately, here is a boring track. Not because of the lyrics, but the way he makes us wait, for the beat to drop. It's just a lady yelling in the background. We have to wait 1 minute and 20 seconds just for a few more instruments. Then merely 2 minutes, for a real beat to kick in. I do give him credit on his creativity, as he "lets the beat build."
11) Shoot Me Down - After hearing this song for the first time, I'm like what is this guy talking about? Well listening to it countless times, I figured out that it's one of those "hate me or love me" songs. Calling out everyone who dislikes him, he is ready to take any challenges. The chorus moans in a way that can only mean something that is serious.
12) Lollipop (feat. Static Major) - With a catchy beat, and an even more catchy chorus, there is no wonder why this song was number one on the Billboards for four (4) straight weeks. Wayne show's his creative said again "so i let her lick the rapper/wrapper." Laughing through the song and giving crazy metaphors. He decides to take the Mike Jones approach and repeating himself a lot. But the way he does, is truly nice and funny at the same time. No doubt, this song helped sold this album.
13) La La (feat. Brisco & Busta Rhymes) - After hearing this song for the first time, I skipped it. But after listening to it, I noticed that this track is more of a freestyle than a song. Only Wayne could deliver something like "fuck we/I'm all about oui like Paris" Brisco (Wayne's protege) steps up to the plate with a monster verse. And to end it up, a surprised guest, Busta Rhymes delivers a killer-flow like usual.
14) Playing With Fire - Doing all the research I could do, I still cannot find the sample of this song. This song is one of those monster hits. With lines like "the bitch say I'm hot/I said no bitch I'm blazing" he clearly states he is a show-stopper. The chorus yells, giving him his "rock" side of the rapper's ego. This song is full of metaphors. One could only imagine why you
wouldn't like this song.
15) You Ain't Got Nutin (feat. Juelz Satana & Fabolous) - Hearing this song twice made me realize, Wayne really didn't care or he couldn't match the first two verses. Fabolous & Juelz literally took over this track. As matter of fact, it was like Wayne was
featured on the track. The beat is similar to something Fabolous could come up with, which is probably why his verse favors over the other two.
16) Dongetit - This has to be one of those tracks that you have to listen to it over and over. Just like the title, the first time around you just "don't get it." In each of his verses, Wayne talks about personal problems he had throughout his lifetime. He manages to find a slick sample to fit the song perfectly. His rhymes are somewhat debatable to what he means. Just like Lollipop, we have another double-line "But I know you don't understand/cause you thought lil wayne is weezy/But weezy is wayne." But we aren't finished here. Wayne goes on to talk about black people endind up in jail. (Again, we really can't understand it.) And to end it, he talks about, no wait,
disrespects Al Sharpton.
Well there you have it folks. Tha Carter III review. Listening to it, makes me realize why this guy can make anything and put some sugar on top. After all, it was labeled "the most anticipated album of 2007/2008." Just pulling in 78mins worth of music in 16 tracks is quite impressive. I don't know if you are wondering if I brought this album, but yes I did. It is to me, worth the money. Like I said before, if you don't like Lil Wayne and/or rap, don't comment, but comment on the review.
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III *full review*
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. Lollipop is still hot, it's been on the billboard hot 100 for 19 weeks now.
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