Lil’ Wayne was raised in the rap game. Unlike a slew of middle-aged rap veterans that have swam in the pool of perseverance for years, the barely 20 year-old Dwayne Carter made it to the top early. After his label signed a landmark deal with multimedia conglomerate Universal, he claimed his stake as one of the hottest young artists in the industry.
Bred in New Orleans Hollygrove Community, a low-income neighborhood located in the 17th Ward, Lil’ Wayne entered his teenage years as an artist on New Orleans independent success story Cash Money Records. After rapping for the label’s heads at an autograph signing, Wayne got (co-CEO of CMR) Bryan “Baby” Williams’ business card and got his big break. “Baby and Slim met me, I was like ten years-old. I know I wasn’t rappin’ about nothin’–but they stilll gave me a shot.” Wayne said in a calm matured voice. “That’s why I got a lot of respect for them–that’s where the family part came in, because it became more than just a record company.”
His consistency and work ethic led to his debut appearance on B.G.’s 1993 EP “True Story.” Six years later, Wayne had two albums under CMR’s supergroup Hot Boys, numerous awards, record sales, and a promising future. It was time for the boy to become a man as he was prepping his debut as a national release under the Cash Money/Universal merger.
“I been a man. I took the responsibility–Like I dropped out (of school) to get in the world early. I don’t look at this shit like I’m in the industry–I’m a regular ole nigga. I ain’t tryin’ to distinguish myself from everybody living their regular life,” he says revealing that beneath the throwbacks, platinum, tats and whips, there is a determined young man content with self. “My goal is just to be successful. I did that when I was 14 years-old. I’m just livin’.” he said nonchalantly.
AD LOADING...
Almost a decade deep in the game, the youngest Hot Boy is now the lone survivor of the group (with B.G., Turk, and Juvenile pursuing independent label ventures), and is putting the weight of Cash Money’s most successful album on his shoulder. “I ain’t never tryin’ to be the same, I’m always tryin’ to be better,” he says of the retrospective title, “500 Degreez.” “I’m just lettin’ people know that–alright you know that 400 (Juvenile’s 1998 “400 Degreez“) was the best selling Cash Money album, so I’m calling mine 500, you already know what that’s like,” said Wayne, taking a break from cruising the city in his platinum Benz Wagon.
With a lot of speculation surrounding the CMR imprint, Wayne is focused on his career. “I don’t even care about everybody, I’m just doin’ me,” he says of his fractured Hot Boy ensemble. Though there have been some obvious disses (from Wayne’s freestyle over “Oh Boy” on a Squad mixtape and Juve retaliation “A Hoe“), Wayne says that he’s more concerned with his “500 Degreez,” and upcoming projects. After publicly stating his loyalty to Cash Money and his stance in the situation on television and magazines, Wayne is only looking forward to the July 23 release of his third album.
“My single right now is “Way of Life“–its one of the hottest videos on TV right now,” he says confidently of the CMR take on 2Pac’s “Hit Em Up.” The song, which samples the same record, features new Cash Money act TQ and Big Tymers riding an infectious groove braggadocio style. He continues, “I’mma come out with a second single before the album drops. It may be a song off the album called ‘Look at Me.'”
Expect Lil’ Wheezy to follow the same format on “500 Degreez” as he did on his previous albums–Mannie Fresh production, charismatic lyrical content, and a load CMR guest appearances. However one cameo separates this album from the past CMR releases. “The only other outsider is Petey Pablo,” he said of his collaboration with the North Carolina rep. He was just in the studio that night. So we was like, you wanna get on somethin’. I just so happened we was doing my album.”
AD LOADING...
Cash Money has also enlisted the talents of veteran producer Jazze Pha (Eighball & MJG, Nappy Roots, etc.) to contribute tracks. After adding some spice to the Big Tymers “Hood Rich” project, and working on Baby’s solo album, “Birdman,” Jazze came into to add some different flavor. “Alotta hits these niggas be listenin’ to, niggas don’t even be knowin’ Jazze did that. Baby recognized that,” Wayne said about the newest member of the family. He has also been working with New Orleans DJ/producer Raj Smoove for upcoming endeavors.
Lil’ Wayne has been managing to stay busy through launching his new label, and pumping mixtapes from his crew, Squad. “Its a Cash Money label–Cash Money/Young Money,’ he explains. “Young Money is just Baby givin’ me my privilege to do what I wanna do. I’mma always be a Cash Money artist,” he said, negating the question of whether he will abandon ship.
He further explains deading the situation, “I do my Cash Money thing and I do my Young Money thing. All my Young Money niggas is like Baby’s kids. Everybody from Cash Money know my niggas. I ain’t tryin’ to do my OWN thing–like venture off from Cash Money. Fuck whoever else is doin’ they OWN thing.”
