Deal or No Deal Album Review

Today's new, technology-infused culture of hip hop is allowing the world to gain exposure to talents who otherwise may never be heard.  The latest new artist to take advantage of this is Pittsburgh's own Wiz Khalifa. Many would agree that leaving a major label company would spell almost instant doom for an artist in the music industry but luckily for Wiz, success has not eluded him.  His latest album, "Deal or No Deal", released Novemeber 24, 2009, reached the number 1 spot on the iTunes Store Hip-Hop/Rap chart and even cracked the overall top chart on the iTunes Stores.

"Deal or No Deal" is essentially summed up in the album's first single "This Plane".  In this euphoric, somewhat spiteful track, Khalifa discusses his angst felt against individuals that have hindered his artistic progress while also flaunting his good fortunes he has found by leaving them behind. Lines like "It's lonely at the top, I'm tired of having company/ Uh, so while you busy trying to fit in, I'm a stand out / And view my life through this lens to see how it pan's out" show Wiz's determination to remain unique in this industry of "Copy-Cat" artists.  It is in the unique and refreshing outlook on life one can only find from being released from some great oppression that the foundation for all of "Deal or No Deal" can be found.  Another stand out track features Curren$y, an artist who too can relate to the postion Wiz now is in, entitled "Friendly".  In this easy-going track the two come with an ultra-confident demeanor and take turns extending a "friendly" invite to the ladies.  As Wiz rides the waves of the synthesized beat, he speaks "If You Wit It, Get In! What You Sippin? I Hit It Out The Park That's If You Pitchin'!" as he imagines his dialogue with his potential company for the night.  He changes the pace with "Hit The Flo" a potential club banger sampling Soulja Boy "Donk".  Essentially, this album is a look into the smoke, money, and luxury-filled life that the 22 year old Wiz Khalifa now lives despite not having a major deal.

Between the lines, from beginning to end, Deal or No Deal is a solid album.  His production definitely caters to his unique delivery and allows Wiz to truly express his thoughts on his situation while also inviting listeners in to actually hear what he has to say.  Here is the breakdown of the album by the numbers:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 4 out of 5
Lyrics: 3 out of 5
Re-playability: 3 out of 5
Features: 1 out of 5
Overall: 3.0 out of 5

Wiz Khalifa Interview with Fab 5 Entertainment

Part 2 of Interview

The Making of Red Carpet (The Movie) with producer Ryan Tedder