Rebirth (Deluxe Version)

What’s left to do when you’ve already backed up your claim to be the best rapper alive? Pick up a guitar and move on to rock, naturally. Rebirth is hip-hop’s equivalent of Michael Jordan switching to baseball, with fascinating fusion experiments like the warbly, emo-inspired lead single “Prom Queen” and the surprisingly poignant grunge ballad “Paradice.” Rock star Wayne’s at his most endearing on “Knockout,” a pop-punk anthem reminiscent of peak blink-182 with an artfully Auto-Tuned guest verse from Nicki Minaj.