Record executive and rapper Bryan 'Birdman' Williams claims Lil Wayne's new album 'Rebirth' isn't a rock record – instead it's simply “great music”.

Lil Wayne has been criticised in some quarters for his upcoming release which, musically, sidesteps his multi-award winning masterpiece 'Tha Carter III'.

However, Cash Money Records boss Williams says critics are "misunderstood" because the rapper isn't aiming to make a pure rock record.

He tells Vibe magazine, "It's not a rock record, that's what I think people are getting misunderstood.

"When you speak about a rock record, you think he's got a guitar and everything, but it's not that. It's going to be some of those types of beats, but it's just great music.

“I don't think no artist can do what he about to get done (sic). My son is a rock star."

His plaudits for Wayne didn't stop there. He continued: "He can rap, he can sing, he's just an artist. I don't think no one will ever be greater than Wayne because I don't think no one puts in the time or the quality.

“If someone do come along, can you imagine what he'll have to do? He's got to put out a thousand mixtapes, do a thousand records and sell 100 million records. 2Pac, Jay-Z and Biggie didn't get to the shit Wayne's done."

(by Scott Colothan)