Lil' Wayne Album: “500 Degreez”

With his former Hot Boys bandmates long gone from Cash Money's roster, Lil Wayne's third album finds him trying to navigate big changes at the label. The bestselling Big Tymers are now the Cash Money prestige act, and the 19-year-old Wayne is often forced to insist he's still relevant.

It isn't a pretty sound, especially when he desperately flashes his bankroll on "Way Of Life," a Tupac-sampling mistake, and reminds anyone who'll listen on "F--k You" that he's still part of the Cash Money clique. One tune is actually titled "Look At Me," which sums up his dilemma nicely. Things don't stay that dire; although not as pop-friendly as the Big Tymers' Hood Rich, the electro-bounce beats (courtesy of Jazzy Pha, in addition to label mastermind Mannie Fresh) are intermittently interesting, and Wayne wraps his nasal, Big Easy drawl around a good idea or two, like "Bloodline," a singsong defense of heredity. But like Project English, the last outing from Wayne's former Hot Boys partner, Juvenile, this workmanlike effort makes its star sound farther than ever from his early promise.

How the hell is the title of this CD not a diss to former Cash Money Millionaire Juvenile? The way I see it is that with this CD, Lil Wayne is out to prove that Cash Money is hotter and stronger than ever, even with the departure of Hoy Boys Juvenile, Turk, and B.G. But after listening to this CD, I would have to disagree with Lil Weezy. This CD is definitely not even on the same level of Juvenile's 400 Degreez, becuase nothing here can even touch Juvenile's "Ha", "Back That A** Up" and "U.P.T.". But this CD is still good for what it is: bling bling rap that you don't have to take seriously.

With tracks like "Way Of Life", "500 Degreez', and "Look At Me", Wayne shows that same fire that made the Hot Boyz so hot. As for the lyrics, don't try to sit there analyzing them, because Wayne spits it simple and straight-foward. His lyrics are what they are, sometimes funny and witty, and sometimes stale and repetitive. His little kid voice is distinct, but his flow is not as good as he thinks (he still says he one of the most UNDERRATED rappers out). If you listened to the Big Tymers latest "Hood Rich", then you can expect the same on this CD.

One of the things that got to me on this CD was the production. Manny Fresh does his usual pretty good job, but after listening to the CD 21 tracks straight, you can't help but notice that Manny's sound is getting a little old. Another small gripe I had was the track "... You", which has the be the 10000000th time a rapper has a track named like that on his CD. This track you could pretty much skip without any worries.

So, if you're a fan of Cash Money, then this a must buy for you, a fun CD with party songs and flossin' anthems. But be warned, don't come in expecting an instant classic like the title suggests. As for Cash Money Records, I don't think they could possibly attain the success they had before when the Hot Boys were intact, but with signings of TQ and Mac 10, and the recent merge with Rodney Jerkins, they are still trying.

Okay. You all know that Juvenile left Cash Money at this time and words were exchanged with Lil Wayne and now we have this sorry attempt at a comback. For starters Lil Wayne can flow well on occasion. Most of the time he falls on his face especially when he feels himself. This album shows you that arrogant rappers will always fail to make a quality album. The Good: Way Of Life was a decent first single. Gangsta's And Pimps is not bad even though Jazze Pha's awful singing could be left off the track. Bloodline and Where Ya At show his bits and pieces of his true potential. Gangsta S*** feat Petey Pablo is a dope collabo.

The Bad. Look At Me is corny. Lovely is not far behind. Worry Me, Young N Blues and Fo Sheezy tranquilizers on wax. Go Hard is just as pathetic.

The Ugly: Lil Wayne's cheap rendition of Juvenile's 400 Degreez is so lame it's shameful. F*** You is the worst subliminal diss I've ever heard and lines like "I get sums and lumps like the measels" make every claim that Lil Wayne is best rapper alive seem laughable. Get That Dough sounds like clown music and all those skits are stupid and repetitive. Dishonorable mention: What Does Life Mean To Me. Bottom Line: Lil Wayne's 500 Degreez is a tepid release from a rapper who believes all the hype around him too much. The production was weak, the guest were wack and Wayne sounds pretty bored on here. If Lil Wayne really believes that he is the greatest of all time then he needs to put his Cash Money where his mouth is and prove it by making quality albums not this half-a**ed commercial s*** I heard on here. And to think he thought that he could surpass Juvenile's 400 Degreez with this lukewarm release. Boy was he wrong!

After taking a year off the scene, Lil Wayne returns with his follow-up to "Lights Out" with "500 Degreez." After Juvenile released the supposed classic with "400 Degreez", Wayne is out to prove that his spit game and this album is wayyy hotter.

1. Fly Talkin' (Intro) - No Rating

2. Look at Me - 4/5

3. Way of Life (Featuring Big Tymers & TQ) - 3.5/5

4. Big Tigger Live on the Radio (Skit) - No Rating

5. Gangsta and Pimps (Featuring Baby) - 4/5

6. Lovely - 4/5

7. Gangsta S*** (Featuring Petey Pablo) - 4.5/5

8. Big Tigger Live on the Radio (Skit) - No Rating

9. Bloodline - 4/5

10. Where You At - 4.5/5

11. Worry Me - 4.5/5

12. 500 Degreez - 4.5/5

13. Go Hard - 4/5

14. Young'n Blues - 3/5

15. Believe That (Featuring Blaque & Mannie Fresh) - 3.5/5

16. Rob Nice Live on the Radio (Skit) - No Rating

17. F*** You (Featuring Big Tymers) - 4/5

18. What Does Life Mean to Me (Skit) (Featuring TQ & Big Tymers) - No Rating

19. Get That Dough (Featuring Baby, Tateeze & Cristale) - 4/5

20. Fo Sheezy - 4.5/5

21. Fly Talkin' Go Home (Outro) - No Rating

Overall:

60.5/75

3.5 Stars

After 2 solid (for the most part) efforts, this album is below them both. Production is very very solid (minus 2 or 3 tracks) but the hooks are wack on lots of them. It doesn't even feel like a Southern album like it should be. Only check it out if your a die hard fan of Lil Wayne, Cash Money Records or the Hot Boys.

ALright alright. Some people like to think they are INTELLIGENT so they don't listen to rap. That's fine, listen to classical by all means. But i would just like to note that for one, the person who wrote the above review wrote it with many spelling mistakes and grammatical errors and apparently they are intelligent? ok....

Anyway, this CD is not 'wack' something that only very 'lame' people would say it's actually extremely entertaining AND the lyrics are very solid throughout. Those of you who only listen to the beats without paying any real heed to the lyrical 'flow' will not be disappointed but will not receive their money's worth from the CD. Pretty Damn Hot.