When arguably the most successful artist in music today decides to try something different, it definitely stirs up a bit of buzz. And that's exactly what hip-hop mega-star Lil Wayne is trying to do with his newest album.

If you've seen Lil Wayne in concert, you probably saw this move coming a mile away. Frequently during his shows, the N'awlins MC will pick up a guitar and attempt some sophomoric shredding. Back in January, Lil Wayne took his six-string tendency one step further when he announced the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2008 multi-platinum juggernaut "Tha Carter III" would be a full-fledged rock album.

That album, "Rebirth," will come out this summer. So far, the first single, "Prom Queen," has given listeners a taste of what to expect: Plenty of standard-issue distorted guitar, big drums and some emo-esque lyrics that Wayne sings/speaks through Auto-Tune (apparently his second-favorite instrument).

The album has been the subject of strong debate among some music fans. On one side, you've got Lil Wayne followers who think his attempt at artistic expansion will gain him an entirely new audience. On the other hand, there are those who believe his attempts to rock out will result in him falling flat on his tattooed face.

I can't say I'm standing on either side. I'm just the guy standing off to the side asking myself this: Why is Lil Wayne choosing to make an "artistic" move by doing something that has long since become a novelty?

What I'm referring to rap-rock or rappers who try to rock. Either one will qualify for the sake of argument.

Look, I thought it was really cool when Aerosmith and Run DMC got together to bust the rap-rock genre open with the single "Walk This Way." I was also on board when Public Enemy and Anthrax gave rap-metal its roots when they remade the Public Enemy track "Bring the Noise" back in 1991.

Of course, what followed in the late '90s and early '00s was a style of music that grew from the public's fascination with watching two musical cultures and genres on supposedly opposite sides come together. It was why rap-metal bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rage Against The Machine and Linkin Park dominated rock radio. It also could explain why rap group Cypress Hill released a rocking track like "Rock Superstar" or why P. Diddy put out a rock remix of "All About The Benjamins."

But a lot has changed since then. Rap-rock has turned into a musical period few people want to revisit. Otherwise, Limp Bizkit's reunion wouldn't be looked upon with such disgust.

I appreciate any musical artist pushing the limits and trying new things for themselves. And right now, Lil Wayne's got the music world in the palm of his hand - and he's seeing if it wants to take the leap with him. I just happen to think that the new thing Lil Wayne is trying is an old, outdated thing for a lot of listeners. No new boundaries are being pushed here besides his own. This is not Lil Wayne's "Kid A" or "The White Album." I wouldn't even say that "Rebirth" is as much of a departure as the album that inspired it, Kanye West's latest experimental release "808s and Heartbreak." I just think that after this album is released, and despite what success it may have, a lot of people will want the self-proclaimed "best rapper alive" to stick to what he's good at.