AudioShocker

I was raised in Pittsburgh; specifically Squirrel Hill. My sister and I both attended Taylor Allderdice High School and did normal Pittsburgh things like eat at Primanti’s and the ‘O’. So, it was both surprising and exciting when Nick told me about Wiz Khalifa - a rapper from Pittsburgh. According to Wikipedia, Wiz (or Cameron Jibril Thomaz) went to Allderdice too. What a coincidence!

The first Wiz Khalifa track I ever heard was Pittsburgh Sound and I dug it. Youngin’ on his Grind was kinda ehhh and I believe Nick did not feel it either. I don’t think Wiz is as inspired as JayZ or anything - but I like that he reps the 412, how he refers to PA as Pistolvania, and that he produces his videos locally on a small budget (or so it seems).

Now then, I currently live in PEORIA, ILLINOIS - hardly a hothouse of hiphop talent and certainly not a trendsetting market for music. Last week, I heard a new track that sampled that ridiculous Alice Deejay techno-pop song Better Off Alone. Imagine my surprise when the DJ came on and said “Hope you liked that new joint by Wiz Haleefa.” I nearly crashed my car!

I raced home, flipped up YouTube, and briefly mourned upon discovering that DJ was in fact telling the truth. So, try to stay calm - I’ll break it down for you with what I like to call: The AudioShocker Method

The Beat: I’m not sure what posessed Wiz to choose this beat - or why it is getting airplay. I know the economy is in the toilet - but listening to music from 1999 isn’t going to reverse the recession. This track is not a viable economic stimulus package. In short: too much synth, too little knock. This is inline with last week’s Usher video.

The Video: Like I said earlier, Wiz’s videos always look really amateur. Whether that is a label issue or a personal preference is unclear - but I don’t mind. I have a strong feeling this was taped in Pittsburgh. The tip off? None of these girls are good dancers, so they couldn’t be professional video hos.

The ‘around the world’ concept was good - even if it was entirely green screened. I really enjoyed the part with the British Guard getting down. It rips off that Fergie video, but I’ll let it slide. Also, the astronaut doing the moonwalk - PRICELESS! That sealed it for me.

My only real gripe is that in a city FULL of Indian women, the casting director couldn’t find 4 for the India segment? I swear I saw a white chick in there somewhere. Or maybe that was for the Middle Eastern portion. Either way, poor casting.

The Content: Another song about making it rain on girls in the strip club? I’m really getting tired of this. Where are these strip clubs that have good looking girls? I ask, because Pittsburgh is not one of them. The chorus is weak and the verse is devoid of new slang or funny references (both extremely important in my book). I feel like I have already heard every joke and punchline in this song before. You know, in every one of those other songs about strippers and the rain dance.

The Vocals: Wiz doesn’t have much in the way of a unique style. He lacks a distinct sound that you would immediately recognize and associate with him. Maybe he just needs more time in the game.

The Bottom Line: Wiz regurgitates tired thematic content over an ill-chosen beat and presents it with a rough around the edges - but entertaining video.