Isolated lines on four tracks criticize gangsta rap (“All you rappers yellin’ ’bout who you put in a hearse/Do me a favor, write one verse without a curse”). Smith’s streetwise friendship anthem, “Potnas,” promotes loyalty and companionship. Adversity leads to positive change on “The Rain.” The actor/rapper tells the cautionary tale of a gun-toting punk who gets shot (“Afro Angel”) and says he doesn’t need marijuana or alcohol (“Pump Me Up”), however . . .
Social drinking is part of a “Will 2K” party, and gets blamed for a cheap fling (“No More”). On “Da Butta,” Smith explains, “[I’m] married but I flirt a little.” Make that a lot. His sexual interest in strange women on “La Fiesta,” “Afro Angel,” “Interlude” and “Can You Feel Me?” contradicts other claims of fidelity. Rapping in the voice of his character from the film Wild Wild West, Smith brags, “Any damsel in distress will be out of that dress when she meets Jim West.” Substantial boasting leaves a bad taste, especially when the artist compares his multimedia emergence to the second coming of Christ (“I’m Comin”). Mild profanities and threats of retaliation appear as well.
While certainly no angel, Smith tries to inject a little conscience into his music. He decries gangsta violence, misogyny and obscene language, but still does his share of ogling women and crowing about how great he is. In the end, Willennium is more trouble than it’s worth.
