Lil’ Wayne: I Am Not A Human Being

Lil Wayne

Cash Money Records: I Am Not A Human Being

It is no secret that Lil’ Wayne has the ability to sell. When he released the rock themed Rebirth nine months ago it was widely considered his worst effort and garnered poor reviews from a majority of publications. Yet, it debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, sold 176,000 copies in its first week and was certified gold. Although it seemed Weezy was on top of his game due to the commercial success of Rebirth, creatively he had fallen way off as far as matching the lyrical powerhouse that was The Carter I-III.

I Am Not A Human Being, is Wayne’s (born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) unintentional redemption album. Even as his off-stage antics suggest otherwise – his previous addiction to “syrup,” the current addiction to marijuana, his tattoo-riddled body, his war zone teeth and the two arrests in two years – Carter hones his most musically mature album to date.

The title of Human Being rings true; the record is a culmination of Frankenstein-esque origin. First off, Carter had very little to do with his eighth studio album’s promotion since he has been serving a one year sentence at Riker’s Island on weapons charges. So Wayne’s manager Cortez Bryant has lassoed that responsibility for the most part. Second, most of the songs on Human were initially meant for The Carter IV but it has reported that due to the time Wayne has spent in prison where he has been able to actually write material, he wants to “start at square one” when working on IV after he gets out. Consequently, some of the tracks were used for Human instead. Even on the production side there is a sense of Frankenstein-ism because only one producer contributes more than one beat.

There are a few ways in which Carter has ironed out his rapping style on Human. There is absolutely no auto tune anywhere on this album and for the time being, Wayne has tossed aside this recent popular rap tool. His delivery and flow are calmer and more fluid, exploring a much slower rap speed. He is known for keeping his lyrics in his head, in turn he is prone to rushed, rest-filled, spoken-word type verses that were more like conversations than songs. This time its hard to believe that he didn’t write this stuff down. Wayne hardly stops spitting rhyme after rhyme in a monotone snarl with close to no flaw. The verses have the classic Lil Wayne swagger and cheese but are steadier and more concise.

The song “YM Banger” is one of three hard copy exclusive tracks. It’s a Michael Cadahia beat intended for Young Jeezy that features spiraling keys taking turns building up and down like a rocket about to launch over deep toms and claps. Wayne’s verse is the fastest on the album, and even then its not fast. “stack of paychecks with a whole bunch of comma’s/still wear red like an old 49er/fuck shittin on ya, dump the whole toilet on ya/Weezy F baby bitch I hotter than Uganda,” – What would a Lil Wayne album be without another Carter-shit reference.

The Young Money team is all over the Human loud and proud. Its funny, with the exception of Gudda Gudda and Nicki Minaj, a lot of the YM rappers sound like little Lil Wayne’s and yes that’s including Drake. Its not necessarily a problem though cause Carter and his Toronto protégé team up for the best songs on the album. Songs like the cheating jam “I’m Single” or the record’s single “Right Above It.” The best of the best is a ballad called “With You.” It’s a StreetRunner production with a sweet Valerie Simpson sample, where Mister Drake and Carter trade choruses and versus over a light piano melody, framed in the early stages of the track listing. Wayne  kicks off the lullaby-like chorus with “Damn you the shit, and I’ll rip my heart out and hand you the shit, and I don’t really know how to handle the shit, but tonight its moonlight and candles and shit,” and Drake ends it with a simple, soulful “With You” over and over.

Overall, I Am Not A Human Being is a good album. Lil Wayne holds it down as a competent MC, even from behind bars. It won’t turn heads like The Carter III did and The Carter IV probably will, but it will make them nod. This is a recommended listen for diehard Young Money and Lil Wayne admirers but for the rest, its okay if you leave it on Mars.

Buy the album at our record store on Amazon

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