Ever since Wiz Khalifa released his breakout mix-tape Kush & OJ a few years back, fans could not get enough of his music. Since then, Wiz has enjoyed a contract with famed label Atlantic and has been featured by numerous artists such Rick Ross, Wale, Currensy and Gucci Mane.

     Since then, Wiz has changed up his sound quite a bit, but soon expressed a desire to go back to his roots.

     Wiz would release a letter to his fans claiming that he would go back to the music that had made him so successful, saying that he hasn’t been this excited about any of his projects since Kush & OJ. He was referring to his recently released mix-tape Taylor Allderdice, with which Wiz hopes to overlook the haters and revert back to his signature sound.

     Like he has been for years, the Rostrum rapper is still all about his weed, his women and his crew. His insistence on sticking to this small scope of subjects limits the diversity of content within the project, but why fix it if it isn’t broken? It’s hard to fault Wiz, music is supposed to be a way of expression; he truly seems to be talking how he lives it.  

     Both the production and Wiz’s presence on Taylor Allderdice carry the mix-tape but, similar to Kush & OJ, the soundscapes is what really sets the tone. Taylor Alderdice is infused with the signature sounds of Kush & OJ producers Cardo (“California”) and Sledgren (“Never Been Part II”) and Big Jerm (“The Cruise”).

     The tape also features Cabin Fever producer Lex Luger (“The Code”). Taylor Allderdice easily has the best production of the year and arguably the best beat is by little known “Sparky Banks” on the track “Guilty Conscience.” All these producers have many unique sounds to contribute resulting in a varied yet cohesive backdrop.

     Khalifa’s songwriting is as strong as ever, as he continues to deliver some of the catchiest hooks hip hop has ever heard. “Never Been Part II” is one song on the album that I was really hyped up to here being that the first part of “Never Been” was one of my favorite songs by Wiz. The production is on point and Wiz lends his versatile flow to compliment the beat as well as any other rapper.  That said, I really feel that this song could do without Wiz’s soon to be wife Amber Rose, as she really adds nothing to the track.

     Wiz continuously stresses how much he loves his team. This can not be argued as Wiz keeps his crew relevant featuring Taylor Gangers Chevy Woods, Juicy J and Lola Monroe, on Taylor Allderdice. The two non Taylors that were featured include Smoke DZA and Rick Ross. Not once though, is the tape’s star upstaged by a counterpart.

     To call Taylor Allderdice Kush and OJ: Part Two would be completely inaccurate. Kush and OJ was made at a completely different time in his life, at that time Wiz was fighting for buzz and to get signed. It’s more of a progression from Kush & OJ where the 2010 XXL Freshman builds on what he has already established and perfected. Wiz sounds completely in his comfort zone which is exactly what fans want from him. This seems as a good start to a year that Wiz claimed would be “huge.”