New Era. Review on Willennium - Will Smith

I'm not gonna beat around the bush - Willennium is a major improvement in every way over Big Willie Style. Beats, lyrics, and overall delivery - dang, I had no idea Will had this in him! Of course, there are tracks that cement Will's place on the jiggy throne. ''Will 2K'' is an example for starters (with K-Ci on the backing vocals) - this is the party anthem they'll be playing on December 31, 1999. Also, ''Freakin' It'' is bound to get that bum shakin'. Wanna dance a little more? Peep ''Da Butta'' (with Lil' Kim) and La Fiesta for more proof. Something else we all know Will for is his sense of humour. He has not lost it here at all. I mean, who else could refer to McGruff (not the rapper - that dog) while saying ''taking a bite out of crime?'' (La Fiesta) Or how about this laugh-fest from ''Uuhhh'': ''Plan down pat like Sajak / Wheel of Fortune away / Price ain't right - I don't play! / Find yourself in Jeopardy? / The first clue - what is Will Smith / Hot to death - not you!'' Or this joker from the same song: ''Eclecticism is a virtue / It may not be a word but it's definitely a virtue.'' Okay, one more from Kel Spencer (guesting on Uuhhh): ''Cats rockin' the same flows every day 'cause they lame / True players gotta change their uniforms after the game.'' Now for the stuff you are not expecting. You know the expression - ''If you don't know your past, you don't know the future.'' Will, knowing this, put on some killer old-school jams as a reminder that he was around in the 80s - and they're convincing. One of my favourite tracks is ''So Fresh'' - it's an old-school jam with Jazzy Jeff on the tables, and Biz Markie and Slick Rick rocking the mic with Big Willie. That beat is going to make you pull a John The Baptist (i.e. lose your head), and the BizMark and Rick add some nice touches. And then there's Pump Me Up with Will and Jeff. This reminded me of ''The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff'' - with Will's call and Jeff's response. And in case you forgot what Jeff could do with two tables - well, I'll leave that for you to find out. Here's something else I know you do not expect - Will's https://lyrics. To some, this is an oxymoron - but there are many examples of Will's lyrical improvement. Also, Will's not beating around the bush - he's bold this time around. You may be doubting, so here's some examples: ''Volcanoes erupting, rage in the sea / Ain't the second coming of Christ, it's the first coming of me'' (I'm Comin') How about this one: ''I read in Rap Pages they referred to me as soft / Yeah, more like Microsoft / Will Gates of the rap game'' (Freakin' It) (This metaphor is kind of scary considering Microsoft's recent troubles). And if you really want something to relate to, check ''The Rain.'' Of course I'm not going to tell you everything! However, be prepared for constant scratches, clean lyrics (and some deep ones), and a big improvement over Big Willie Style. Welcome to the Willennium - resistance is futile. Oh yeah, the Puffy comparisons? Except for three tracks, the buck stops here! This is a victory for clean hip-hop and hip-hop PERIOD.