Wiz Khalifa: O.N.I.F.C. – review

One of hip-hop's natural supporting acts, whose breakthrough hit was a good-natured chant-along homage to his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers football team, Wiz Khalifa has always made for an unlikely crossover star – and an even less convincing bohemian eccentric, the image he has run with since becoming affianced to model Amber Rose. (On the cover of his second album, the flamboyance of his snow-leopard coat is matched only by the awkwardness of his expression.) Neither is it borne out in his music: Wiz Khalifa is a serviceable but limited type, mostly concerned with getting stoned, capable of adequately riding a catchy hook (Work Hard, Play Hard) or interesting beat (the keening bird cries of Paperbond, the creepy-lullaby loop of Fall Asleep). But his album's finest turns come from guests – in particular, newcomer Lola Monroe's clipped contempt on Initiation. Wiz himself is most notable on O.N.I.F.C. for his curious decision to ape the most grating aspects of (his fiancée's famous ex) Kanye West's flow – drawn-out braying vowels, grunted "huh"s – and the unfortunate brag on Let It Go that "I'm the shit, literally."