The first collaborative album between the two shines at times, yet also disappoints

When ‘Trust Fund Babies’ was announced to be the first collaborative project between Lil Wayne and Rich The Kid, most didn’t know what to think of it. Was Lil Wayne becoming a has-been? Was he stooping down to Rich The Kid’s level to find a new audience in a younger generation?

While it wasn’t clear at first, it became immediately evident off the first listen what this project is for. It seems as if Lil Wayne and Rich The Kid found themselves in the studio together and simply wanted to have some fun. Creating a single together slowly turned into developing an EP, which in turn came out to be a full 10-track joint album.

Across the whole project, there lies a sole feature from the Compton-based rapper YG. While it’s far from one of his best verses, he still halfheartedly delivers, likely out of respect for Lil Wayne as one of the “greats” that came before him.

With a lot of filler songs across the album with a lack of replay value, there is still a handful of songs that have the potential to stay in the general public’s rotation for a few weeks to months. Songs such as “Headlock”, “Shh”, “Bleedin’” and “Buzzin’” all have a certain level of aggression and catchiness that hold some level of replay value depending on the listener.

Sadly, however, much of the album blends together through similarly styled production and flows. Tracks such as “Feelin’ Like Tunechi”, “Yeah Yeah” and “Still” are perceived as forgettable right after the first few listens.

One of the standout aspects of ‘Trust Fund Babies’ is the production of certain tracks. Notably, the beat on “Headlock” must have been created with the same ingredients that nightmares are made of. Both aggressive and distinguishable, Lil Wayne finds a pocket that few others can and dives in deep on the track.

Overall, Rich The Kid tried to hold his ground alongside a rap titan in the industry, but couldn’t hold his footing on the project. It may be some of his best work, but he still gets overshadowed by Lil Wayne.

Wayne, while still miles ahead of many other popular rappers, seems to be out of his lyrical prime. Nobody can hold a candle to his 2005-2008 run of music that cemented his legacy, but it’s still disappointing to see a rapper of his caliber release halfhearted music compared to decades before.

The album can’t be critiqued too seriously in the end, as it’s clear that it was made between two respective artists looking to have fun in the studio. While ‘Trust Fund Babies’ may not have been expected by the two to put up massive numbers on the charts, it will certainly keep their names relevant and in rotation across the music industry until their next solo LPs are released.  

Review: 2.5/5