Rolling Papers Wiz Khalifa Artist

If it wasn't for {|Black and Yellow,|} {|Wiz Khalifa|}'s story would match the mixtape past of {|Currensy|}, {|Freddie Gibbs|}, and even {|Lil Wayne|}, but that unrepresentative mega-hit -- and unofficial Pittsburgh Steelers anthem from the previous Super Bowl season -- made {|Rolling Papers|} a highly anticipated release for a wider audience than usual. Those looking for more singalong sport anthems and party tracks will be severely disappointed with the rapper's first major-label release, but anyone who has followed the alt-pop side of hip-hop -- from {|B.o.B.|} on down -- will find this familiar ground. Past the big hit, {|Rolling Papers|} casts {|Khalifa|} as a more earthbound and approachable version of {|Kid Cudi|}, or {|Currensy|} for the masses, both of which are meant as compliments. They are also meant as cautions for those who don't appreciate slick productions -- crafted by {|Stargate|}, {|I.D. Labs|}, {|Jim Jonsin|}, and others -- topped with stoner-ambiguity lyrics. Half of the confused highlight {|Roll Up|} seems to be about smoking weed, while the other half is about flirting, or being true to your friends, or maybe just rolling up. {|Hopes and Dreams|} is an ironic title for a song about {|Khalifa|}'s money going to strippers, while the {|B.o.B.|}-like {|Cameras|} is {|Kanye|}'s {|Gold Digger|} without venom, where fame might be a blessing or it might be a curse. These smoking songs would border on dream states if it wasn't for {|Khalifa|}'s keen sense of melody and fat sack of hooks, and when you take into consideration his growing-up a fan of {|Bone Thugs-N-Harmony|}, his fellow Midwesterners hold an obvious influence throughout the album, from the free-association rhymes to the full-on embrace of weed. Just like any given {|Bone|} album, {|Khalifa|}'s chilled and confused {|Rolling Papers|} is an acquired taste, and while it's misrepresented by its single and the mixtapes that surround it, it is purposeful mood music, perfect for bong loading or just hanging out. ~ David Jeffries