I Am Not a Human Being (song)
| "I Am Not a Human Being" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Lil Wayne | |
| from the album I Am Not a Human Being | |
| Released | September 27, 2010 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:05 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Drew Correa |
I Am Not a Human Being is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne, serving as the title track to his digital EP and later full‑length album of the same name. It was released on September 27, 2010, during Wayne's incarceration at Rikers Island.[1]
Background and composition
The song was recorded shortly before Lil Wayne began his prison sentence. It features a distorted, guitar‑infused instrumental with sharp 808s and synthesizer accents. Wayne's lyrics pair dense wordplay with aggressive delivery.
Genre and style
I Am Not a Human Being blends elements of hip hop with rock. Rolling Stone described the track as having "power‑chord‑packed rock rap," directly associating the song with a rap rock hybrid style.[2]
Release and reception
Although not released as a commercial single, the track attracted notice from several critics:
- Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song's "angry title track showcases Wayne's ability to at once spit funny similes and tough talk, but its punk‑hop guitar riffs barely even compete with the ones on his much‑derided 2010 rock album, Rebirth."[3]
- Vice observed that with the title track of I Am Not a Human Being, Wayne came back to rap in full force, calling it an "alien coming‑out party" that cemented his guitar‑driven aesthetic.[4]
- Contactmusic described the track as "quite rocky and experimental," noting its "heavy thudding bass" and calling it a "surprising offering" from the Louisiana‑born rapper.[5]
- The Line of Best Fit singled out the track as "the one truly bad song here," criticizing its "grating '99 Problems'–inspired beat" even while noting its role in Wayne's evolving persona.[6]
Music video
A music video directed by David Rousseau and produced by Alexandra Sdoucos premiered in September 2010. It features Wayne performing against stark, black‑lit backdrops that emphasize his glow‑in‑the‑dark tattoos and the song’s otherworldly theme.
Personnel
- Lil Wayne – vocals, songwriting
- Drew Correa – producer, songwriting
- Marco Rodriguez‑Diaz – songwriting
References
- ^ Gale, Alex (September 21, 2010). "Full Details on Lil Wayne's Birthday Mini‑Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Rosen, Jody (October 4, 2010). "I Am Not a Human Being Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Wete, Brad (October 6, 2010). "I Am Not a Human Being". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Thomas (October 7, 2010). "Lil Wayne's Alien Rap‑Rock Reinvention on 'I Am Not a Human Being'". Noisey (Vice). Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Sarah (October 8, 2010). "Review of Lil Wayne's 'I Am Not a Human Being'". Contactmusic. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Oliver (October 9, 2010). "Album Review: Lil Wayne – I Am Not a Human Being". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 11, 2025.