Waka Flocka Flame

Flockavelli isn't a good album in the traditional sense. There is no standard by which Waka Flocka Flame could be called a good rapper. His rhyme schemes are beyond basic; his flow is really just a few variations on the same staccato bark; and he really only raps about one thing: being incredibly gangsta. So, if Waka Flocka Flame is such a terrible rapper why is Flockavelli one of the most enjoyable albums of the year? It's simple: Flockavelli is fun. It's the audio equivalent of an action movie. Its mixture of cartoonish violence and gangster archetypes makes for entertaining storytelling. The beats, which mostly come courtesy of Lex Luger, are filled with Southern-fried, skittering hi-hats, which make the album exciting and kinetic, but not complex enough for anyone to have to think about it. "No Hands" is, without a doubt, the album's highlight. The collaboration with Wale and the Roscoe Dash is about as deep as a puddle, but it's also one of the catchiest nuggets of pop-rap to come out in the past decade. If you're looking for something smart or innovative, Flockavelli doesn't have much to offer. But if you're just looking for dumb fun, then it may be exactly what you're looking for.