Iggy Azalea's 'New Classic' Not Much of a Classic, Afterall

After a short delay, the release date for Iggy Azalea's debut album is just around the corner.

The album, boastfully titled, 'The New Classic,' sounded promising, especially with all the hype that label mate and collaborator, T.I. has been giving it. Unfortunately, 'The New Classic' doesn't quite live up to it's name.

Since she came onto the scene back in 2011, Azalea has not only made it on the U.K.'s top 20 list three times over the past few years, but is the first white female rapper to grace the cover of 'XXL' magazine.

Combining the quirky aesthetics of Gwen Stefani and the fiery personality of Nicki Minaj, she was quick to draw the attention of major record labels and eventually signed deals with Grand Hustle and Def Jam Records.

Contending with Azalea's popularity is an increasing controversy; there has been quite a media storm surrounding her lately. For one thing, she has an ongoing feud with rapper Azealia Banks, who called her out for referring to herself as a "runaway slavemaster" in one of her songs. Recently she was also under fire after some less than P.C. tweets she posted surfaced, including racist and homophobic remarks. Moreover, the star has been accused of using black people as accessories in her music videos (just watch her video for "Pu$$y") and of blatant cultural appropriation (in the video for her song, "Bounce," she sports a sari and bindi).

Let's put the controversies aside for now and focus on Azalea's music:

Though 'The New Classic' definitely brings a certain energy and playfulness to the hip hop scene, it's not exactly groundbreaking. Azalera's spit-fire rapping is self-assured but her lyrics are disappointingly lackluster. Songs like "Don't Need Y'All," "Work," and "Impossible is Nothing"---all about rising from rags to riches---are laden with eye-roll worthy cliches ("No money, no family.

Sixteen in the middle of Miami"). Repetitive synth beats and poppy hooks liken the star to--but ultimately fail to distinguish her from---her contemporaries.

Even in "Fancy"--one of the more promising songs on the album--guest MC Charli XCX's performance clearly outshines Azalea's.

Daring outfits and flash music videos can't disguise a lack of originality.

Sure, some of Azalea's songs are catchy, and occasionally she surprises with a clever line or two ("Valley girls giving blow jobs for Louboutins./ What you call that?/ Head over heels."), but she'll have to do better than that if she really wants to be taken seriously in the business.

The album's official release date is April 21st.