Rating: NNN
Wiz Khalifa’s carefree flow shines early on his fifth studio release. The album’s second track, We Dem Boyz, showcases his ability to glide over a beat while the production builds into a powerful earworm. The tune also illuminates a rarely revealed sense of humour from the Pittsburgh-bred emcee primarily known for being stoner rap’s lone current crossover superstar.
Wiz has never shied away from top-40-baiting tunes many rappers eschew, and he’s crafted a few more on Blacc Hollywood with varying degrees of success. Ass Drop features the stuttering hi-hats and dance-heavy chants that club hits are made of. On Promises, Wiz attempts the emotive singsong flow that is trending in rap right now. Too bad the song suffers from unctuous, smarmy writing.
Blacc Hollywood peaks when Wiz reverts to the hopeful, aspirational tone that powered his initial rise: the Curren$y-featuring House In The Hills combines an up-by-my-bootstraps narrative with palpable incredulity at his success. It’s the hit-chasing emcee at his most compelling: personal, endearing and undeniably heartfelt.
Top track: House In The Hills
