Album Review: Lil’ B, I’m Gay (I’m Happy)

Lil B


I’m Gay


(released June 29, 2011)


I’ll admit, I have been sucked in. I’ve been a very harsh critic of the bizarre Lil’ B, whose young fans herald his as one of hip hop’s next greats. All I’ve seen is a typical, tattooed troublemaker who resorts to publicity stunts (like his album title) and vomit-inducing songs (“Wonton Soup!?”) to sway audiences.


But I guess I’m the only one who feels that way. Lupe Fiasco wrote a 10 billion word blog post praising B’s new album, and yesterday I read a quote from the Based God himself on Vibe.com:

“I’m Gay is going to be one of the most classic albums to ever touch down in hip hop. Once you hear the music and see the measures I’m going through for the people, it’ll be one of the Tupacs, the Biggie Smalls, the Lil Waynes, the DMXs, the Black Robs, the Beanie Sigels, the Jay-Zs, the Commons, the Kanye Wests, The Lupe Fiascos. It’s just goin’ to be real hard, the real love, the real struggle, the real pain.”

His album is gonna be as great as Black Rob’s? Boy this guy certainly sets the bar high.


Then I saw his JJ Evans memorial album cover (yeah I know it’s really Marvin Gaye’s but I’m sure Lil’ B doesn’t know that) and just gave in. I thought if nothing else, the album would be good for a laugh.


And I had so much to say I’m going to break the album down, song by song.



Trapped In Prison: Immediately I’m taken off guard. I expected this album to be about drugs and Chinese food. No, the prevalent theme is the black man’s struggle, and the prison referenced in this track is the mind of man. That’s actually cool, but here’s the problem – Lil B’s flow is horrible. He stumbles through his bars like a drunken Rick Ross looking for a midnight snack. And then, he drops quotables like this: “I ain’t a drug dealer, I’m a life liver.” Uh, OK.


Open Thunder Eternal Sunshine: Throughout the album, it’s like B’s brain shuts down for a few seconds on a couple tracks. For example: “9 to 5, can’t even pay the bills … uh … we need … to manage money.” And it doesn’t help that it sounds like his tongue is the size of a giraffe’s.


Game: This is actually listenable. I’m a sucker for soulful beats, and B somehow conned producers to give him some decent material. He bites Kanye West’s style a bit on this one by dragging out the final syllable in each line. It’s OK when Kanye does it, but annoying when B stumbles all over himself.


Unchain Me: According to B, the album is called “I’m Gay” to support the oppressed LGBT community. When no one bought that garbage, he said the album simply means “he’s happy,” which he reinforces here. Uh huh. Again, B occasionally shines where he tries to kick wisdom: “the rap game is like the slave trade” but gets overcome by his own suckiness: “people die for a piece of paper, it’s so stupid … why man, live however you do it.” What does that mean?


Neva Stop Me: I feel so dirty for saying this, but I kinda dig this. B sounds like a mushmouthed Common rapping over something from Raekwon’s last album. But of course, B brings ants to my picnic: “I’m in the hood like ant spray.” What does that mean?


Gon Be OK: Lil’ B helpfully reminds us that we have a black president. Yeah playa, we’ve had one like four years now. He half-heartedly sings the hook, which makes it sound like a drunken lullaby. But again, the beat is really nice.


The Wilderness: “People dying every day just to buy a T-shirt.” What does that mean? Is it really that hood in Hot Topic?


I Hate Myself: Lil B’s conscious-rapper act really wins me over here in this examination of a black man’s self hate. “I see myself in the mirror but I don’t see nothing.” For once, I know exactly what he means. If his flow was better I’d consider putting this on my iPod. Too bad he raps like his brain is simmering in a Crock Pot.


Get It While It’s Good: Now we’re back to reality. “New money on my mind like a nosebleed.” Say it with me: What does that mean? I guess B gave up on trying to save the world – this song is all over the place. He’s so high it sounds like he has five pounds of gauze up his nose. Guess he needed it for that nosebleed.


I Seen That Light: This features a sped-up Eric Benet sample – where is this guy getting his beats? Again, I have no idea what’s going on here. “Flying to the snow and I visit the sand” – is he going on vacation? Selling drugs? Liberating the oppressed? What does that m… never mind.


My Last Chance: This time, B swipes old Johnny Gill vocals.  If you can endure four minutes of mumbling raps you’ll dig up a couple of jewels: “The death of a woman means one less man, so give respect to a woman….” Sounds like something Wu-Tang’s Masta Killa would say. Seriously.


1 Time Remix: As dull as dishwater. Don’t operate heavy machinery while listening to this one.


Lil’ B is the lame guy at the college poetry night who swears he’s deepest man on campus. In his head he sounds like Gil Scott-Heron, but when his words come out they sound more like Jill Scott’s hair dryer – a monotone hum. In fact, the first two-thirds of the album sounds like unrequested spoken word at Starbucks. But thanks to some decent beats and flashes of brilliance he’s done the impossible – created an album that isn’t an utter joke. Yeah, I’m shocked too. I’m Gay is like a conscious Timbaland and Magoo album – bafflingly entertaining in spurts despite some really clunky raps.


Don’t confuse me – Lil’ B is not a good rapper and this is not a good album. But if he improved his flow and put down the crack, he could be almost as good as … Black Rob. Like Whoa.


Best tracks: “I Hate Myself,” “Neva Stop Me”


2.5 stars out of 5