Wiz Khalifa Flies High at 'Taylor Allderdice' Mixtape Listening

“You can clean to this, cook to this, you can iron to this,” says Wiz Khalifa, describing the versatility of his new mixtape, Taylor Allderdice, which he played at a private listening session at Jungle City Studios in New York on Sunday night. Through a smokey haze, the Pittsburgh rapper encouraged his guests to kick back and drink up as he played the lengthy mixtape from beginning to end, rarely pausing to introduce the tracks.

He actually may not have needed to pause. Taylor Allderdice is evenly thematic, collectively containing Wiz’s signature “fly high, stunt hard, and carpe diem” sentiment. The beats, however, are refreshing, as some of them lean toward the West Coast, others borrowing a Dirty South swag (a possible influence of Taylor Gang signee Juicy J, in attendance along with Chevy Woods and labelmate Mac Miller). Prior to its release next month, the rapper has given his public a taste with “California,” “Mary 3x,” and “My Favorite Song”—all ripe with chronic inclination to reflect on his definition of the good life.

Other subject matter on deck ranged from allusions to sippin’ sizzurp to Amber Rose-related braggadocio (“That’s just how you live when your wife’s a model”). The compilation’s strength thus far seems to lie in the production and the rush of endorphins provided by Wiz’s mischievous content.

Taylor Allderdice drops March 13 and Wiz’s second major label album O.N.I.F.C. is due later this year.

–Rajul Punjabi