Waka Flocka Flame

Let's get one thing out of the way up front. The answer to the question you're asking right now is, "no." No, after two studio full-lengths, one collaborative album and more than two-dozen mixtapes, Waka Flocka Flame still can't rap. It's possible that as an MC, Flocka has actually regressed since 2010's Flockavelli, which is kind of impressive, in a twisted way. Of course, no one cares that the lyrics on Triple F Life are beyond basic. The genius of Waka Flocka is his ability to turn his weakness into a strength, which he does brilliantly here. Triple F Life is good because it's big and stupid. Flocka is too busy being hyped up and yelling, "Bow!" and "Flocka!" to think about things like punch lines, metaphors or making things rhyme, and that's fine. In fact, the lack of lyrics is what makes Triple F the perfect club record; it's all energy, hot beats and shout-along choruses. That said, it's not just Flockavelli redux. In terms of production, Flocka has broadened considerably in the type of beats he's, uh, not rapping over. There's still a great deal of aggro-heavy trap-crunk, but "Get Low" is straight bubble-gum pop, while "Fist Pump" is laced with a heavy dose of electro house. Rap purists are always going to hate Waka Flocka Flame, but that's okay; Flocka's having too much fun to care.