Khalifa Still Has Room To Grow As Evidenced By 'Rolling Papers'

Wiz Khalifa tells one reporter about his new album, "I learned, ummm ... you know, I learned I could work harder than I ever thought I could." The title of his new album, Rolling Papers, is not very subtle, and is rather self-explanatory. Even on the album cover, green smoke covers his face. The variety of topics and lyrics he creates is very limited, and every song is basically about smoking weed, a woman, or getting rich. There are only a few songs that are really catchy on his album, including his most popular single "Black and Yellow." Don't get too excited because most of his songs are not like "Black and Yellow," but much slower and repetitive.

His music style has been described as something between hip-hop and pop, which does relatively explain his laid back, mellow tunes. Even with a beat, most of the songs are not as memorable and fast-paced as "Black and Yellow."

Ever since his unofficial theme song for the Pittsburgh Steelers became big, there has been a lot of hype around his name and his new album. Well-known magazines like the Rolling Stone have featured the 23-year-old rapper and predicted his success as a leader of Pittsburgh hip-hop. Even Lil Wayne recognizing the popularity of Khalifa's anthem for the Steelers, came out with the song "Green and Yellow," as a response for the Green Bay Packers.

His new song "Cameras" once again talks of fame and smiling for the cameras. This song is decent, but once again the unoriginal subject matter, paparazzi and cameras has been done many times before.

"Black and Yellow" is perhaps the one song most worthy of hype, especially for its upbeat tempo. The rest of the songs are very slow and sound like he still has room to develop. Based on his overnight success and popularity, his dream probably will not end soon. Just like he says in his new song, "Wake Up," he doesn't want to wake up yet. He could be something soon, but there is definitely maturity lacking in his lyrics.

It is hard not to laugh at the lack of depth in his responses in one interview with a reporter for DrJays.com. He explains, "I rapped about some things, rapped in a different way, I feel like I grew up as an individual, you know, matured a little bit." He also goes on to say, he thinks he really "out-grinded" himself. In answer what he will take from his album for the next one he responds, "Increase the criticism on myself." The interview also talked about how he was becoming more humble, and how he used to be very rude. He definitely has an interesting personality, but his songs leave room for development.

He was not always known for hip-hop but moved onto it after being in the mixtape circuit. Khalifa was born in 1987 in Minot, ND, moved around until he has recently settled in Pittsburgh. Cameron Thomaz, which is his real name, tried writing lyrics at age nine and began recording when he was 12.

In one of his new songs, "The Race," he says in the beginning, "Nothing new, ‘cause it's exactly what I do." That aptly describes most of his songs. His melodies are tedious, repetitive and nothing really new. Rolling Papers in no way lives up to the promise of his album-like mixtapes, the likes of which will stand out as milestones in his career.