By Moke Kelekome
A handful writers have held the torch for you since 1998. We thought by the time you reached your current age, you would be the best rapper around. And after listening to your last album, The Carter, I think you have fulfilled the prophecy. That album is incredible.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. You know I’m always going bring it.
I didn’t feel like that on your other albums. All of my hopes were based on all the guest appearances and features you had on all the other Cash Money albums when you were only 13. At that age you were so amazing with the lyrics and sound effects.
It was just me going through stuff. When I was 13, 14 and 15 I had a different frame of mind. I was like a grown man in a child’s body, so there was a lot of wisdom in my talk. Them years that you may not have liked, I was still on fire as Lil Wayne or as a Hot Boy. How you like The Carter, you may not have felt that way about 500 Degreez, but I know about 500,000 people who did. So, to each his own.
But you do understand that The Carter was great on several levels from concept to execution.
You have to understand where I was when I made that album. That album right there was real personal to me. I probably went through more during the time I started thinking of songs and whatnot. Juve was gone. B.G. was gone. Cash Money was in a different space. I had family things going on. I was becoming more of a businessman. It was just me growing and talking about the things that were in my heart. I always spit from the heart. I just don’t sit there and put some silly concept together like a gimmick. Do you know I recorded that album without writing down one lyric?
Wayne, I’ve seen you write in the studio several times.
You didn’t see that when I was recording on this album. I know a lot of rappers say they don’t write no more because Biggie and Jay Z started that. All them muthafuckas be lying. But I’m not a rapper. I’m a god on this microphone, ya heard me? Writing is for rappers and I’ve moved way past that into some other shit. You’ve heard the best of Biggie and Jay Z, how can you write beautiful shit like that? Only a muthafucka with a mind beyond the simple shit you see can do it like that. The Carter was like that. You can’t map that out on paper, that kind of genius comes from something beyond just an idea. I swear on everything I love—you can ask Baby or Fresh—I went into the booth and just spit that shit, whether I made it on the spot or just thought about it in my mind for a while. I’m a god in this. Only a few people can say that and I’m sitting in one of those chairs.
What caused this sudden explosion of genius?
Honestly, I’d have to say weed. Other niggas talk about smoking every day. I smoke a little all the time. If you knew how much weed I smoke every day. . . man. Shit I’m smoking right now and I bet you couldn’t even tell. I don’t even get high no more. The shit doesn’t affect me like that. I can’t get high, but it has opened up parts of my mind that allow me to do what I do with the music. I see things and put things together I could never do on paper sitting at a table. My vision, my mind is just expanded to other realms that allow me to do what I do.
So your relationship with weed and creativity is on some Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye type thing? You’ve awakened the genius inside you.
I don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. The shit just allows me to do what I do. I might have to read up on Bob Marley or Marvin to see what you are talking about, but I just know I’m a god on this microphone and I don’t want to be put in a category with just a rapper.
I hear you, but are you calling Ice Cube, Tupac, or Big Daddy Kane just rappers? All of their classics were written among a bunch of other classics.
I ain’t said shit about anybody else. I’m just telling you what’s going on with Wayne. For all that other shit you writers be doing to stir up controversy. I’ve been in this game too long to fall for that. You have to come better than that.
Hold up! I put you on your first cover. You know my style, I don’t try to trip up anybody, but I do ask the questions most powder puff writers won’t ask. You made a statement about what separates you from other artists who record Hip Hop or Rap music and your answer put out something that needed to be qualified, ya dig?
Man, look! All the people need to know when they read this is that Weezy got a new album coming out called the Carter 2. All that other shit ain’t even worth talking about. That’s all the people need to know. That and that I got my new label running called Young Money Records. That’s the future right there.
We’ll get to that in a minute. Explain to me what the rumors were about you possibly signing to Def Jam once Jay Z takes over.
Alright it’s like this: I was doing shows with a few of their artists and they got at me. I listened to see what they was talking about because I am a business man as well as an artist. That is what the story is, no more, no less. Where all the rumors went crazy was on the internet speculating and doing what you writers do looking for some kind of story. I’m on Cash Money. Everybody seen the tattoos, I’m Cash Money for life. My label, Young Money Records, is coming out under Cash Money. I’m starting a new chapter here at Cash Money through my label. We built a legacy, and I’m going to keep it moving.
What kept you over at Cash Money while the rest of the Hot Boys left?
You would have to talk to Turk and B.G. about what they issue was. Juve is back with his own arrangement between him and Baby. Me? I ain’t never had no problems and I don’t really know what them other cats is talking about, so I can’t speak on it. Wayne is good though. You don’t hear me complaining about money, I’m rich. I got four albums, my own label and I’m rich. What am I going to complain about? And you know how me and Baby get down so why would I leave or be complaining when all my business is straight and taken care of? It’s all good over here with me, and like I said, I can’t speak for nobody else.
What about the rumors that Mannie Fresh is leaving?
I haven’t talked to Fresh, but I would say those are just rumors. See, writers are always on it, creating rumors. A writer will see Baby or me going into Sony or something and run to their computer to say, “Rumor has that Cash Money will be on Sony,” right? C’mon, why do ya’ll do that type of stuff?
I don’t know any of my peers who do that. And you know what square I stand on, so miss me with that. Though I’m sure that happens on the internet news side of writing, I can’t speak on that though, that ain’t my world.
The only reason I talk to the magazines now is for the fans who can’t reach you until you do a show in their town. I talk to them through my music and when I do a show live. If I didn’t have to talk to the media to promote albums, I probably wouldn’t, unless I was really feeling the magazine or the writer. Some of the stories you read are just nonsense, and some people really don’t know what they are talking about.
Back to Fresh though…
He did a couple of tracks on my new album, The Carter 2. I used a lot of other producers, some who are under me at Young Money Records and some who have given me music when I travel. See, Fresh has been doing every Cash Money album you have ever heard by himself. I needed to expand my sound on the album, but still have Fresh on there giving me his best, just not on every song. Think about it : Fresh is responsible for the entire Cash Money catalog after a while he’s going to need new inspiration just like I would. That’s with any true artist or musician.
Let’s talk about The Carter 2. Nobody has heard any of the music yet so tell me about the album.
Nope. You’ll hear it when it comes out, then you tell me about it. All the people who read this article need to know is that The Carter 2 is coming, and that your boy Weezy is in control of this thing. That’s all people need to know. I’m talking about who are the producers or guests or any of that shit because writers spoil the anticipation when they do that. I don’t need people who get the album for free forming opinions, good or negative, before the people who are the real fans buy it. I think reviews should come out a week or two after the album comes out. You can’t sit in the office with your walkman or disc player and feel this street music. How are you going to give an opinion on my music before the people have had a chance to decide? You listen to music to make a deadline. People listen to music for pleasure and writers listen because they get paid to. Some writers review albums by artists they don’t like only because that was the only job they were offered and they need that little $50 or whatever ya’ll get paid.
What is the deal with going off on the writers? Did somebody do you wrong or something? I’m not saying some of what you say isn’t true to some degree, but you’re saying writers in general. Be specific. You know that doesn’t happen with your boy here, so who are you talking about?
I don’t keep up with writers because they are too many of ya’ll and most ain’t worth remembering. I know you and your work because you was the first one to put Cash Money out there like that. I know the Murder Dog because they keep it real with the streets. But in every city, every country you meet more writers who ain’t asking stupid questions. There are too many of ya’ll to call by name, if I could even remember their names. But the quality of work speaks for itself, and you know this. You don’t even read them other magazine or newspapers for the same reasons I just talked about. So no, I’m not even going to tell you about the album. When you hear it, call me and tell me what you think. I’ll probably be gold on my way to platinum by then.
Confident as ever.
How can I not be? I’m a god in this game and I am not here to play games. Too many rappers pretend to be this confident but really ain’t. You known me since I was a teenager, I’ve always been confident. The streets raised me, so that is just in me. And tell the truth, I’m one of your favorite artists because of that. That’s why you asked to do this interview because you know Wayne is on that level that these rappers aren’t. You can’t wait for The Carter 2, so you listen to and enjoy it like you did the first one. That’s all this is about when it comes down to it. I make good music that people can feel and enjoy. Miss me with all that other politics or rumor stuff.
Okay, since you won’t talk about The Carter 2, let’s talk about Young Money Records.
That’s my label. That’s the label of the future. You know Wayne only associates with quality so my artists are going to be. . . no I’m not going to say you’ll see.
What happened to Squad Up? Are they going to be on Young Money?
No. They wanted to go their own way a while back, so I gave them their release. They are doing their own thing. I’m not involved with them or their business.
I was thinking about this when you first mentioned doing your label. Being that at age 13 you have watched Cash Money become this major force as well as witnessed all the happenings at Death Row, Roc-A-Fella, Rap-A-Lot, Murder Inc., G-Unit and No Limit- what are you going to bring as an executive that will change the game?
Repeat that! I’m not sure what you are asking. Be clear.
As a child who has grown up watching musical empires being built and destroyed, what are you going to bring to change the game as a grown man? Are you going to play the music industry game as it has been or are you just going to have another label and keep the system moving?
What is your reason for asking me that? What is it you are trying to get at? Are you asking if Young Money is going to be bigger than Cash Money? Young Money is a part of Cash Money, so I’m not trying to outdo Baby. I’m just trying to put out good music with artists I believe in to keep this thing going.
You’re missing my point. Let me put it this way. You’ve been living in New Orleans all of your life then you run for Mayor when you’re 35. The city hasn’t changed at all, so when you get elected, are you going to change things for the people in the city or are you just going to ride the same system as all the previous mayors? Is Young Money Records going to revolutionize distribution, artist contracts, merchandising? You’ve had a front row seat in the music industry since you were 13, is your label going to revolutionize the game or just put out music?
Of course I’m only going to put out the best music as the product of the business. I see what you are asking now. I don’t know. That’s a good question, I’ll have to think about that for awhile. The best question you have asked since we started the interview. I’m going to think on that when I smoke when we get off this phone. You’re right I was here for Cash Money and I seen No Limit, the ROC, and everyone else do their thing. I think you might be putting too much on the whole prophecy thing. I was god on the mic, not the savior of the business. But that is a very good question and I’ll be thinking about that when I smoke. While I think about that, you just wait until you hear The Carter 2. I’ll answer your question then and you tell me about the album then.
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