Kid Cudi and High Places

November 2010: High School

 I just started high school. Like many others, I am having a good time. I feel alienated and alone because people keep messing with me. High school is intimidating and I don't know anybody.

In homeroom, I strike up a conversation with the kid next to me. He introduces himself to me. His name is Mike. We talk about music. I say I don't listen to rap. Rap is crap. He tells me to listen to Kid Cudi. That night on my roof, I listen to "Soundtrack 2 My Life".

The moon will illuminate my room and soon I'm consumed by my doom 

I've got some issues that nobody can see
And all of these emotions are pouring out of me

I'm floored. It's like I'm talking to someone who understands what I am going through.

June 2013: Summer

Mike and I are are standing at the top of the fire tower on Apple Pie Hill. It's hazy. Pine trees stretch out as far as the eyes can see. 

I turn on my Bluetooth speaker and select Cudi from a playlist. The music breaks the silence of nature. 

I'll be up up and away, up up and away
Cause they gon' judge me anyway so whatever
I'll be up up and away, up up and away
Cause in the end they'll judge me any so whatever

Life has been good recently. Kids don't mess with me that often anymore. I don't need a clever comeback, I just have to laugh in their face. It takes all their power away. For the first time, I feel like a pretty cool person.

May 2018: Graduation Approaches 

It's six in the morning. My friends and I are sitting on top of the Fordham bleachers watching the sunrise. A friend passes me a warm Natty light out of a cardboard 12 pack. Everyone is laughing and talking about the good times. We're going to miss being able to do stuff like this, just hanging out with friends whenever we want, with no strict schedules to tie us down. But careers are fast approaching and soon we are going to meet for drinks at times we schedule in our day planners. Someone is playing "Soundtrack 2 My Life" on a Bluetooth speaker.  Cudi's vocals waft through the morning air. 

So now I'm in the cut, alcohol in the wound
My heart's an open sore that I hope heals soon
I live in a cocoon opposite of Cancun
Where it is never sunny, the dark side of the moon

I snicker a bit. The rhymes sound corny and Cudi is a little too emotional for the situation. I realize even though this music might not have impressive lyrics, I'll never look at it with anything but fondness. These songs have been with me for too long to give up. In fifteen years, my kids will laugh at me and my corny music, but I don't think I'll care. 

Rolling Papers 2 Review

On Rolling Papers 2, Wiz Khalifa offers more of the same hazy stoner rap that made him famous. Wiz raps about three W's. Women, Weed and Wealth. He's been doing the same thing since 2009. Predictably, Rolling Papers 2 talks about money and marijuana for most of its runtime. 

"Mr. Willams" is a highlight of the album. THEMXXNLIGHT and Curren$y give the track an R&B vibe while their slick flow makes the track cohesive . Wiz's verse is typical of the album. "Bootsy Bellows" is another impressive cut. While the verses are standard, Wiz spits a catchy hook over a funky beat. The bass line, which is immaculate, pays homage to funk bass legend Bootsy Collins.

I was most impressed with "B OK" because Wiz opens emotionally on up the track. He raps about the personal pain he has felt throughout his career. The death of his sister and his tumultuous relationship with model Amber Rose are the focal points of the song.

Wiz Kalifa's stoner mentor Snoop Dogg makes an appearance on Rolling Papers 2. Unfortunately, Tha Doggfather is not at the top of his game. Snoop Dogg, who normally provides entertaining verses, falls flat. His verse on "Penthouse" adds another layer of mediocrity to an already mediocre song.

This might make the album better

At 90 minutes long, Rolling Papers 2 became a chore to sit through.Tracks were stylistically all over the place, from trap to R&B. The songs felt all over the place, like it's a playlist instead of a deliberate album. Maybe this album would better serve someone as the background to a late night smoke session. Nothing on the album is jarringly bad, but nothing is exciting.

Conclusion: Wiz is sticking to the formula that made him popular. This album is competent and confident but does not push any boundaries. If you like Wiz Kalifa's past music, here's a buffet. If you don't, skip it.