Throughout music history, countless artists have served time in jail. One of the
major issues these artists face is the danger of becoming irrelevant in the music industry while they are gone. That has not at all been a problem for rapper Lil’ Wayne.
Through previously recorded songs and collaborations with different
artists, Lil’ Wayne has managed to remain popular. In an attempt to not be forgotten, the rapper (whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.) released I Am Not A Human Beingon iTunes on Sept. 27, the rapper’s birthday.
Bloggers prompted fans to download the digital album as a birthday present for their favorite incarcerated rapper to help him celebrate his 28th birthday. The physical copy of the album will hit shelves on Oct. 12 with two additional songs.
The online version has 10 tracks that showcase Lil’ Wayne’s unique style. As expected, the rapper features his protégées Drake and Nicki Minaj, who have raised the Young Money music label to new heights while their mentor has been away.
“I Am Not A Human Being,” the title track on the album, is too similar to the hip-hop/rock disaster that was the rapper’s early 2010 album Rebirth. Drake’s performance in “Gonorrhea” is not impressive, but he makes up for it in “Right Above It” and adds his famous vocals to “With You.”
“That Ain’t Me” features British singersong writer Jay Sean, and makes the listener want more. The song is reminiscent of Wayne’s previous work, using substantially meaningful lyrics that seem to be absent in recent projects.
Some songs on the album should already be familiar to frequent radio listeners. Radio DJs have not turned their backs on the rapper, making it a priority to play his infectious songs such as “I’m Single” and “Bill Gates.”
Overall, I Am Not A Human Beingcomes off as a desperate attempt on Wayne’s part to keep the momentum his career had before his ordeal. There are a few undeniably catchy songs, but that is not enough to salvage the album.
Lil’ Wayne’s eight-month prison sentence will come to an end this upcoming November. There is no question that as soon as he is released, he will pick up right where he left off. Until then, his fans have this album to sustain them.
