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When rumors surfaced that Lil Wyte had died…they were partially true. For most fans of the 2003 debut album, “Doubt Me Now”, the following he built up was swiftly destroyed by his horrible follow up, “Phinally Phamous”. The dreaded sophomore album, synonymous for ending most artists’ careers hit Lil Wyte hard, but was this just a sophomore slump or something more?

For the diagnosis, you need to scrutinize his career; Lil Wyte is an artist who has been banking on making it big for years, off of really only one factor, being part of Three 6 Mafia’s inner circle. However, Hypnotize Minds (his record label) never really saw him as a legitimate chart topper they should invest in. But when Lil Wyte’s debut album “”Doubt Me Now”” sold 130,000 copies with little distribution and even less PR, parent company Warner Brothers couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, and signed him to a one album deal with newly re-launched imprint Asylum. This new deal also renewed the interest of Three 6 Mafia in the advancement of his career.

With a new deal and the backing of a major record label, this champion of the underground took to the mainstream and the result, 2004’s, “Phinally Phamous”. While anticipation for the album was at a fever-pitch, many fans watched with a vigilant eye. Would all the extra money and pressure change Wyte? Would he become less underground and, “sell out.” When the album was dropped, the answer was yes. Working with Three 6 Mafia transformed his street style beats and his sturdy choruses into a badly serviced reproduction of Three 6 Mafia in almost every way, it just didn’t work. The album flopped and Lil Wyte in a sense, died.

However, history had other plans for Mr. Lanshaw. God bestowed upon the Three 6 Mafia, an Oscar. So when Three 6 Mafia reconvened after months of partying, they had Warner Brothers begging for them to do different projects and keep the motivation and press coverage boiling. One of the projects the label demanded was for the guys to get some new artists for their imprint on WB, Hypnotize Minds. So after a showcase the label demanded Lil Wyte be signed immediately and to get into production on a new album, the album became the one we are finally about to discuss, “The One and Only.”

“One and Only” is Lil Wyte’s third album and perhaps, his most imperative. Signed again with Warner Brothers, Lil Wyte has the limelight and attention securely focused on him at all times. His last album failed, he cannot afford another flop. So Lil Wyte stepped his game up even further, with the help of Three 6 Mafia not only with production, but also lyrically. The mistakes that could have ended his career on Phinally, Phamous, had to be fixed and mastered. So with the assistance of Juicy D and DJ Paul, “The One and Only” after all the hype, was finally released on June 5th, 2007.

The album features 20 tracks, including the stand out street single that made Warner Brothers sign him after a showcase, “Talking Aint Walking.” The highly volatile diss track directed at the various “haters” in Wyte’s life, takes you lyrically back to his “Doubt Me Now” mentality, while still instituting a very Three 6 Mafia style chorus. This track in a sense is all encompassing of exactly what “”Phinally Phamous”” was supposed to be. Other standouts include “I got Dat Candy” which they are using as the Radio single, which again encapsulates a Lil Wyte who has finally regained his form. Notables on the album also include “Feelin real pimpish” which describes the high life the Hypnotize Minds Boys are living as of late. “Gun do Da’ Talkin,” and “Suicide” round out some of the highlights of the overall solid album.

The Bottom Line: The bottom line is this, the album is like I said, solid for lack of a better term; it seems as if he knows “Phinally Phamous” was unsuccessful and did more damage than good in the eyes of his listeners. So with a second opportunity to finally hit the charts high he aimed for the stars. The decision to again bring in Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat to help him not only with production but with the writing is one that made the difference big time. As previously stated “”Phinally Phamous”” failed because it sounded like Lil Wyte was trying to be Three 6 Mafia. However, Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat helped Lil Wyte to become Lil Wyte again…just with Three 6 Mafia’s production and help writing Choruses. Better than “Phinally Phamous”, yet doesn’t hold a candle to “Doubt Me Now”.

Tracklisting

1. One And Only, The
2. We Ain’t Kool
3. I Got Dat Candy
4. That’s What’s Up
5. Talkin’ Ain’t Walkin’
6. Get High
7. It’s On
8. Feelin’ Real Pimpish – (with Project Pat)
9. Get Wrong
10. Chappa On Da Back Seat – (with Project Pat)
11. Gettin’ Money Boy
12. Cake
13. Got’m Lookin
14. Fu*k’d Up
15. Suicide
16. Ghostin’
17. Do It Fluid
18. Dat Boy – (with Project Pat)
19. Gun Do Da Talkin’
20. Outro

Websites

Lil-Wyte.net
MySpace.com/LilWyte

Record Label:

• Hypnotize Minds

Release Date:

• 06/05/2007

Reviewer:

• Kevin Dank