Rolling Papers

Wiz Khalifa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic Records
• ASIN: B004LFO0ME
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,502 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Rock > Rap Rock
  • #84 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Pop Rap

Track Listings

1. When I'm Gone

2. On My Level (feat. Too $hort)

3. Black And Yellow

4. Roll Up

5. Hopes & Dreams

6. Wake Up

7. The Race

8. Star Of The Show (feat. Chevy Woods)

9. No Sleep

10. Get Your S**t

11. Top Floor

12. Fly Solo

13. Rooftops (feat. Curren$y)

14. Cameras

Editorial Reviews

2011 release, the third album from R&B rapper Cameron Jibril Thomaz, more commonly known as Wiz Khalifa. The album includes the first single 'Black and Yellow', produced by Grammy winning team Stargate (Rihanna, Beyonc and Katy Perry). The track refers to the colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers - a football team from Wiz Khalifa's hometown. Wiz Khalifa was recently named MTV U.S's Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010, beating acts such as Nicki Minaj and J Cole.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable with Flaws April 8, 2011

By Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The description of rap music has transformed in recent years greatly. This transformation isn't to say that gangsta or `southern' rap idioms are dead, but in recent times, rap has become characterized by a more alternative, crossover nature, if you will. Opponents may state this has compromised the style while proponents will state this intellectualizes a rather `unintellectual' genre. Positions aside, promising rapper Wiz Khalifa's major label debut Rolling Papers falls in line with modern rap, much like his contemporaries B.o.B., Drake, and KiD CuDi. On Rolling Papers, Wiz raps, sings, and `smokes' his way through the material. Rolling Papers is well rounded overall, but not quite the home run of Thank Me Later (Drake) or B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray [Explicit] (B.o.B.). Creative, Rolling Papers shines through its flaws.

"When I'm Gone" opens the album with a mysterious tone, highlighted by acoustic piano and an air of introspection. Wiz begins rapping past the one minute mark, allowing the track to build up and simmer into a synth-driven effort. Wiz sings through a lengthy but unifying hook that helps set the tone for this effort. "When I'm Gone" does not mark a valedictory performance, though second cut "On My Level" featuring Too $hort extends the momentum greatly. Jim Jonsin's low key production work is a perfect match for Wiz's stoner rhymes, not to mention a fiery collaboration with underrated rapper Too $hort. "Black and Yellow" is pop er...... I mean hip-hop gold produced by Stargate - an unlikely collaboration for Wiz or the Swedish pop/R&B hit makers (Beyoncé, "Irreplaceable", Ne-Yo "So Sick") . "Roll Up," similarly, proves another collaboration made in hip-hop heaven between Wiz & Stargate - who would've thought?

"Hopes & Dreams" is a welcome change of pace, but falls short of the greatness of previous cuts. "Wake Up" brings Stargate back to the fold for another great cut, even if it sounds ever too similar to "Roll Up." "The Race" is exceptional as well, again alluding to Wiz's `smoking habits' in the hook: "I'm riding around, smoking, good music aloud, kinda do my thing, no disrespect to the... some smile up in your face then they don't on the low, now I just stunt on my own..." "Star of the Show" featuring Chevy Woods may be the slightest bit too long, but the production stands out if nothing else does. "No Sleep," a popular single from Rolling Papers gets production credits from Benny Blanco. "No Sleep" is a bit too lazy and `same-y', but works.

"Get Your S**t" uses strummed guitars, sounding more like an adult contemporary R&B song as opposed to a hip-hop cut. The use of background vocals prove to be a nice touch. "Top Floor" is enjoyable, while "Fly Solo" reminds one of "Erase Me" from KiD CuDi's Man on the Moon 2: The Legend of Mr Rager. "Rooftops" featuring Curren$y is unmemorable while "Cameras" closes the album solidly, though not exceptionally.

Overall, Rolling Papers is a solid and creative showing from Wiz. It does not `reinvent the wheel,' but it does make the MC competitive with his contemporaries. Had this album been trimmed down slightly more - particularly at the end - from 57 minutes to say 45 - 48 minutes, it probably would have been a stronger, more cohesive showing. As is, Wiz's idiosyncrasies shine throughout making Rolling Papers ultimately worthwhile. Read more ›

24 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Average Love of Success, Green & Money March 29, 2011

By Bryan A. Mabe

Format:Audio CD

Wiz Khalifa has taken over the mixtape circuit for the last couple of years while building his own and label, Taylor Gang. The majority of fans have felt blessed with the amount of free music that has been created from VERY classic mixtapes from Wiz. "Kush & Orange Juice" has been the most acclaimed. If Wiz were to just feed off of that mixtape, polish it up production wise, he would have crated a very solid album. However, he decided to crate an album that has more mass appeal, with pop choruses and references. The aftermath of such an effort leaves more to be desired. It's an OK album, but could have been more polished and complete; something that could have satisfied mixtape fans as well as mainstream appeal. There is the problem with "Rolling Papers." It doesn't seem to have an identity. Songs that could have been "feel good" tracks are muddled down with average beats that are not upbeat. "Serious" songs, if you can call them that, are victims of the same average beats.

Track by track:

1.) When I'm Gone - 3/5 - Wiz opens up the album with a track that is his retrospective outlook of his success. He speaks on wealth and the need to splurge it because it won't accompany him when he is gone. It's a somewhat "feel-good" song, yet doesn't solidify as much pop appeal as he was trying to pull off. The overall feel of the song feels as if it doesn't really know what it wants to be...a serious song or a feel good song.

2.) On My Level - 3/5 - This will remind most hip-hop fans of early 90's rap. The beat is hard, almost southern sounding which would sound great with a couple of other features (Bun B, Chamillionaire, Crooked I for example). Instead, it has Too Short, which is a good addition, but having him on the song doesn't necessarily make it better.... Other MCs could have added to the song for it to be more than just a little over average song.

3.) Black & Yellow - 4/5 - I've never been a fan of a lot of songs which suffers from a repetitive chorus, but Black and Yellow is a song that is catchy and different from many other songs on the radio. It is the solidified hit of the album and might just be the only commercial hit for Wiz. It's a great track which has inspired many remixes in the mixtape market.

4.) Roll Up - 3/5 - "Roll Up" is a track that plays into Wiz's marijuana loving reputation. It is an ode to a woman, but looking closer into the lyrics, it could be a love letter to Mary Jane. Regardless, it's a well produced track that seems to have Wiz's signature sound to it.

5.) Hopes and Dreams - 3/5 - Another track that displays Wiz's success with money and women. It has the opportunity to be more than just a dense song about his favorite topics, but sadly doesn't get there. The beat is sub-par, but it is not a "bad" song. It just shows the limited range Wiz has in his material.

6.) Wake Up - 5/5 - My favorite track on the album. The beat is soft and mellow and Wiz's lyrics finally get serious. He speaks on a range of topics relating to success, and he even offers a bridge in which he "sings." Something that might remind fans of B.O.B. or Kid Cudi.

7.) The Race - 3/5 - This track seems to be thrown together. The mix doesn't seem complete. There just doesn't seem to be anything special about the track. Wiz tries to add his singing again for extra appeal, but it just seems forced. The last verse however, is the only one that Wiz sounds like he is putting effort into it. All in all though, it is an OK song. He seems to have knack to making average tracks that aren't necessarily bad, but aren't great either.

8.) Star of the Show - 4/5 - This song made an appearance on one of Wiz's mixtapes. It was a favorite of mine when I first heard it and it is one of my favorites from this album as well. It's a song that feels complete. That's something that is not as common on this album as one would like to see.

9.) No Sleep - 4/5 - This is the first song that seems to be executed perfectly in it's intentions. It tries to be a upbeat track that is a party song and it succeeds. The beat fits the lyrics and chorus. Sadly, it took nine songs into the album for such cohesion.

10.) Get Your S*** - 4/5 - This is a letter of some sort to a woman in Wiz's life. It is a track that seems to have the most "deep" lyrics that are rare from the rest of the album. He allows us to take a look into his bad relationship. Many can relate to him and the words he rhymes up.

11.) Top Floor - 3/5 - Another track that appeals to the "feel good" atmospheric mood. Lyrically, Wiz is sub par once again, but the track is decent. It just doesn't appeal to me as much due to the lyrical shortcomings. Choruses are a strong point for Wiz it seems and he doesn't disappointed with this track, but it will not be a track that repeatable to most.

12.) Fly Solo - 5/5 - This track has a guitar to add to its sound that resembles a track from Travis McCoy (of Gym Class Heroes) or an artist with a band backing him. It's an excellent song. The lyrics seem to be more cohesive with the feel of the song. Wiz shows his true nature on the track and it shows.

13.) Rooftops - 4/5 - Currensy is features on this track. He is one of Wiz's most common features on his mixtapes. The overall feel of the track is great. Another which dedicates its subject matter to money and success. However, it works. There are so many tracks on the album that deal with the same subject matter. Some work better than others and this one is one of them that feels right.

14.) Cameras - 4/5 - Another good track that shows the true Wiz Khalifa. He sounds comfortable with his delivery. It's a track that can easily be a radio hit. It's a mellow song that once again deals with superstardom and success.

All in all, Wiz Khalifa's "Rolling Papers" isn't an outstanding album. It might not even be great. However, the songs that work, work well. There aren't many tracks that stand out and more than a few that sort of blend in with one another. Lyrically, I feel as if Wiz needs to be more creative. His flow doesn't seem anywhere close to where it needs to be in order to be a respectable MC. He seems more like an artist that is playing the role of a rapper rather than an artist who gets to create the way he wants to create. With a more say in the creative process, I think Wiz would mark his own style and name into today's hip-hop. Instead, he might just be a forgettable MC who peaks with "Black & Yellow." Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars What I Feared... (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars) April 3, 2011

By Chandler VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Hip Hop's Rookie of the Year, Wiz Khalifa, has been having a buzz in the rap game for a good minute right now. Last year, he caught my attention with his mixtape Kush & OJ full of smoked out songs that anyone can vibe to. Since then I became a fan of his music as well as other mixtapes hes released (most notabily Cabin Fever). One benefit of making mixtapes is that you don't have to worry about your label's hands in what songs you can put out, leaving you in full control of what your fans wanting to hear. So when he releases his debut Rolling Papers you can pretty much can expect its not going to be like those mixtapes hes released in the past, because Atlantic Records is going to try to appeal to a larger crowd focusing on sales. The lead single "Black & Yellow" was catchy enough to give them what they wanted.

With the album itself is not as bad as one would expect. There are a lot of great tracks on here to satisfy fans of Wiz. He works better on dark smoked out beats like "On My Level" featuring Too $hort. "Star of the Show" featuring Chevy Woods is another that falls into this category, and is a huge standout from a lyrical standpoint. The songs appealing to larger crowds, like "Roll Up" (2nd single), "Get Your Sh..", and "Fly Solo" makes Wiz sounds forced and out of place. Lyrically Wiz holds his own with his own rap style like on "The Race", and the aforementioned "Star of the Show". Production here helps out a lot as well, as all the beats on help matches Wiz' flow. As I mentioned before, I find Wiz to be at his best when he is making songs over darker, more funkdafied beats.

The overall product itself is very good. Sure everyone is not going to be happy with his debut after hearing some of his work prior to this release.... I will not say I'm fully satisfied with the album myself, as my biggest fear is that he is going to join a long list of rappers who releases mixtapes that are better than their actual albums. When you developed a loyal fanbase through that route, it's hard to please them when you have a powerhouse record label like WEA telling you what songs to make. I'm sure there are a lot of songs that could have been on here that didn't make it (ie "Black & Yellow (remix)", "2 Timez "(feat. Gucci Mane) just to name a few). But for right now, I'm glad that Rolling Papers has been released, and will have a moderate amount of rotation for the time being. If you have not tracked down some of Wiz' previous work, I recommend you do so asap. Peace.

Lyrics: C
Production: B
Guest Appearances: B-
Musical Vibes: C+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Star of the Show (feat Cheavy Woods)
2. On My Level (feat Too $hort)
3. Top Floor
4. The Race
5. Rooftops (feat Curren$y)

Honorable Mention:
1. Cameras
2. Hopes & Dreams Read more ›