Lil Wayne 500 Degreez CD

Parental Adv. Feat:Big Tymers, Tq,Baby,Petey Pablo,Blaque +

Producers include: Mannie Fresh, Jazzie Pha, Cash Money Millionaires, Big Tymers, Mack 10.
Recorded at Sony Studios, New York, New York, Patchwerk Recording Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
Personnel: Lil' Wayne, Big Tymers, TQ, Baby, Petey Pablo, Blaque, Mannie Fresh, Tateeze, Cristale (rap vocals).
Recorded at Patchwerk, Atlanta, Georgia and Sony Studios, New York, New York.
Audio Mixer: Leslie Brathwaite.
Recording information: PatchWerk Recording Studios, Atlanta, GA; sony Studios, NY.
Following Big Tymers' Hood Rich on up the charts, Lil Wayne's third album tries to trump the big Cash Money hit by ex-labelmate Juvenile (400 Degreez). With the smooth, laid-back productions of Mannie Fresh leading the way for Wayne's drawling delivery, 500 Degreez does just that. Yes, it's a little top-heavy, but the highlights come quickly, with the leadoff (after the intro) "Look at Me" sporting a freakfest vibe along with Fresh's top-flight beats. The whole album's powered by the infectious party hit "Way of Life," building on the rocksteady rhythm of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid in Full." Even better is "Gangsta Shit," a synth-heavy roller with Petey Pablo besting even Wayne himself on the mic. ~ John Bush
Lil Wayne comes on as hard as can be on 500 DEGREEZ, throwing gangsta imagery around like Rip Taylor with a fresh supply of confetti. Still, no matter how strenuously he underscores his gangsta themes on such representative tracks as "Gangsta S***," "F*** You," and "Way of Life," his hard-hitting approach is offset by a subtle-yet-undeniable sense of humor. For one thing, there's Wayne's voice itself, which at its most vituperative has echoes of Eminem's Jerry Lewis-isms. Then there's the production, which is laced throughout with goofy ensemble vocals and synth riffs that bespeak a deep devotion to the street-cred quirk of George Clinton. Such guests as Baby, Big Tymers, and TQ are on hand to bolster Wayne's hard-as-nails image, but he still can't hide the sly grin behind his thug-life frown.