By Odeisel
A year ago, Lil B was mainly known for getting his jaw tapped on a Youtube vid that went viral. A year later all eyes are the release of I’m Gay, an album with naked truth telling, legitimate societal observation and solid production.
“Mental slavery, n***as be hanging off the trees in the woods, and the hood is more than Martin Luther King fighting for a dream,” is how he opens the album on lead track, “Trapped In Prison.” Lil B notes that it’s easy to fail but hard to think for yourself. He seamlessly bounces from the record business, to income disparity and global poverty through the course of his opening salvo. Violence in the streets and shattered dreams are the topics on “Open Thunder Eternal Slumber.” People medicate the pain away with drugs and think money will fix everything, but the dough just exacerbates the woes.
Dramatic strings, a bumping drum and clashing cymbals form the backdrop on “Game.” B notes the fake well-wishers that disappear when you need them but track everything you say, waiting to trap you with your own words. He then pivots to the prison industrial complex, noting, ”New kids on the block putting new bids there, new jails with new beds there/ they waiting to put some new kids there.” “Cry Little Sister” is dramatically sampled on “Unchain Me.” Lil B raps about creating his own lane when other doors were closed to him.
They ask for my money, every other day like I’m asking for something, but when I had nothing they was laughing…they told me I would never make it rapping
He thumbs his nose at the death threats he got when he named his album I’m Gay and exhibits a hazy, somber-tinged defiance that is undeniable.
“Neva Stop Me” ropes you in immediately with a compelling combination of a hard drum and street lyrics against dramatic string work. B questions the presence of God when the streets are so cold and the good die young. There is disconnection with quizzical lines like “In the hood like ant spray” but it doesn’t derail the package.
Barack Obama’s “Change” speech is triumphantly stitched to the intro of Joe Hisaichi’s “One Summer’s Day” for the uplifting, Wizard of Oz-like “Gon Be Okay.” Lil B raps, “I never came from the bottom, that’s just a façade like seeing water in the desert, this song is depressing but it’s uplifting holding on to my spirit. “ “The Wilderness,” finds Lil B tackling the forces of materialism and overpriced education. Unfortunately Lil B’s flow is a mumble and doesn’t drive his point home unless you’re looking for it. Imagine “Fight The Power” with Clarence from Def Jam accounting instead of Chuck D. 
The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” is slowed to a crawl and Lex Lugered on the Keyboard Kid-produced “I Hate Myself.” The issue of the Black Community’s self-hated, bolstered by media images and lack of knowledge of its history are addressed simply but eloquently. “Get It While It’s Good” lightens the album up a bit, with Lil B riding ‘till the wheels fall off and getting all he can from the rap game. “I Seen That Light” brings the mood up higher, rapping about shining in the face of the haters. Chicks want his for the dough lying about love, Dudes act like they cool but want to see him fall. He’s hip to the game and isn’t falling for it.
Johnny Gill’s “I’m Still Waiting” is brilliantly chopped up for “My Last Chance” as Lil B recounts the decisions he made to leave the hood behind. The album closes with the saxophone-infused “1 Time Remix”. Over a funky bassline, B ends the album on a fun note, jazzy note.
I’m Gay succeeds, with mature themes, refreshing openness and beats infused with disparate elements and varied rhythms. The main flaws are Lil’B’s deficiencies as a rapper. His delivery vacillates from lucid to incoherent. There are times when weak lyrical connectivity makes you go, “WTF,” but it’s not enough to sink the album. We fell for the banana in the tailpipe. Lil B had something to say and he (mostly) delivered. It’s the album Lupe should have made.
(The album’s cover work is homage to Marvin Gaye’s I Want You album with noted changes to the banners above the dancers. Gaye’s born name was Gay which he had changed to remove any connection to the word ‘gay’)
3.75 out of 5
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