Some of Wiz Khalifa’s most beloved projects have been the mixtapes, not the albums, whether it be “Kush & Orange Juice” or “Taylor Allderdice.”
Early Tuesday morning, after he jumped on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to sing — yes, sing — the pop song “Speed It Up,” from the “Sonic the Hedgehog” soundtrack, the Pittsburgh rapper dropped via Wetransfer what could become another fan favorite with “It’s Only Weed, Bro.”
Guess what? Weed is a central focus, as always, along with Khalifa’s status in the hip-hop world, his women, wealth, jet-set lifestyle and all the usual topics. But the feel is sooo nice. Khalifa, pimpin’ in fur and a cane on the cover, serves up some of his sweetest grooves on the seven-song, 17-minute mixtape, ranging from ’70s blaxploitation-style soul to the boom-bap of “Vanity Fair” and the ’80s synth-pop of “Big Shadow.”
While mumble rap may be the rage, it’s never going to Wiz’s. Just about every word is drawn out and clearly enunciated in his inimitable style.
“Use the Manners,” which sounds like we wandered into a late-night party, is rapped over Weldon Irvine’s delicious 1979 soul song “Morning Sunrise.” Khalifa delivers the message, “If you don’t know me personal/please don’t call me Cam/And if you do, then some weed should be in your hand.”
On “Easy Access,” he sums up his worldview in football terms: “Goin’ for it on fourth down/why you [n-words] puntin’?”
If you don’t want to download “It’s Only Weed, Bro,” you can check it out on YouTube. Weed optional, depending on your medical or geographic situation.
First Published: February 11, 2020, 2:54 p.m.
