Like many new artists, L.A.’s Tyga is getting publicity more for who he knows than what he’s done. As the rumored cousin of Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy and the next big thing off of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money imprint, Tyga’s got friends in high places. Friends only get you so far and on his debut release No Introduction, it’s up to Tyga to deliver quality music to ensure his self-proclaimed future stardom.

In that he’s failed, as the album is consistently devoid of musical worth. Vapidity is the central theme of both the production and lyrics. “First Timers” typifies the sugary feel of the album, as Tyga boringly tells a breakup story over a beat that manages to rip off both the Backstreet Boys and Slick Rick. Tyga spends too much time talking about teen angst, failing to connect with any listener who has left puberty behind. Entire tracks are dedicated to meeting girls online (the horrific “Aim”) and playing phone tag on voicemail (“Press 7″). All of these tracks feature a production style that derives itself from Avril Lavinge rather than Run-DMC; it’s really more teen pop than rap. In this context, a standard club-banger like “Coconut Juice” actually seems refreshing; at least it’s got the narcissism and beat style that fans are used to. Read the rest of this entry »