WIZ KHALIFA - Rolling Papers

I don't know too much about Wiz Khalifa. In the few things I have read about him online, I know that a lot of his "fans" consider him a "sell-out" because he's on a major label now (Atlantic) and this album was a "let-down" based on the strength of his previous mixtapes. Well, I never listened to those mixtapes, and I'm one of the people that first heard Wiz when "Black and Yellow" came on my radio's speakers. So maybe I'm not qualified to talk about this album, but I was hooked on that single the first time I heard it. Every time it came on, the volume went up and I was singing along to the chorus. Eventually, I said to myself, "Self, you should get his album and listen to it."

I'm definitely not any sort of expert on the hip-hop/rap genre, but I will tell you that I enjoy this album the whole way through. Not all of the songs are 100% awesome, but a song like "Roll Up", with its synth backing, is fantastic. Sure, the song material is kinda fluffy (being there and wanting to be with a girl who apparently is with some sort of loser boyfriend but is cheating on him), but who cares. It's nice to see a rapper who isn't afraid to show a heart once in a while. It's probably my favorite track on the disc. And don't worry, we still get plenty of references to "hoes" and "bitches" on other songs so Wiz isn't a total softie! Haters gon' hate on this record for sure, but I'm digging it, so there.

3OH3 - Streets Of Gold

One of my favorite albums of 2010. I listen to this when I'm at the gym because it really gets me pumped up. I listen to it when I'm just hanging out at home. I listen to it when I'm thinking about partying that night. I listen to it after a night of partying. I listen to it when I'm doing homework. To be honest, it's scary how many times I've played this album. They've definitely gotten better since 2008's Want. Most of the songs are still about girls, sex, and partying, but we also get some "heavier" material (well, heavy by 3OH!3 standards) like the breakup song "R.I.P.". Obviously this album isn't a "huge artistic achievement" but you better believe that it's fun and it's stocked with catchy songs. And isn't that the point of pop music?

www.myspace.com/3oh3
www.3oh3music.com

TRAVIE MCCOY - Lazarus

Travis "Travie" McCoy is famous for being the frontman of Gym Class Heroes. He released his first solo album, Lazarus, in June of 2010. I really like the album's first two singles, "Billionaire" (which also features Bruno Mars, who is riding high on the charts right now with a song I cannot stand) and "Need You" so I decided to check out the rest. I've been looking for fresh new jams anyway. The album is a mishmash of pop, hip-hop, and rock elements. The singles are fantastic, as are some of the other songs (though a few are just so-so). I understand that "We'll Be Alright" is going to be Travie's third single, and there's no doubt why: it borrows from Supertramp's "Alright", and it's got hooks, it's catchy, and it's upbeat. "After Midnight" will probably be a single, too. A bunch of songs feature other famous artists so who knows, those could probably be singles too. Say what you will about these songs being overprocessed and manufactured, they're still catchy. The album is just a fun ride that you can get your swagger on to. Or something like that.

www.myspace.com/traviemccoy
www.traviemccoy.com

N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo

N.A.S.A. is the acronym for North America/South America, and is a collaborative effort of artists from both the hip-hop and indie music realms. Brought together by the duo of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon, who met in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the result is a hip-hop/funk album that is real cool. I'm certainly no aficionado in regards to this genre of music, but I enjoyed this and especially the collision of artists that you would never expect to be appear on the same tracks together (But David Byrne and Chuck D do go together like peas in a pod!).

www.myspace.com/nasa
www.squeakecleanblog.com/