During a time when music sales are declining, Lil Wayne has not only managed to garner major cross-over success but also carve his own niche in today's music scene.If you're still in disbelief that the 'A Milli' rapper isn't one of the hardest working men in the hip-hop show business; try factoring in having a highly-anticipated album ('Tha Carter III') go platinum within its first week of release, being one of the most in-demand artists out, performing alternative songs on stage with Kid Rock, starring alongside Forest Whitaker in the upcoming 2009 flick 'Hurricane Season,' and garnering 12 BET Hip Hop Award nominations.
Also, did we mention Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.) is currently leading this year's Grammy Award nominations in eight categories, including "Album of the Year?"
The pint-sized rapper is having the best year ever.
Being nominated for music's most prestigious award may not only have some fan's surprised; the New Orleans-born lyricist, himself, says he's at a loss for words.
"Wow I'm just simply speechless right now, every time I think something comes along that amazes me, something greater happens," he said about the nominations. "I owe all this to God and of course my fans, which is why I do this. I love making music for people and it's a great feeling to know how much my music is appreciated."
Lil Wayne's road to 'The 51st Annual Grammy Awards' didn't come overnight. The in-demand rapper, who released his sixth solo album in June, has been signed to Cash Money Records since the age of 15.
Making a name for himself through the label, he helped spawn the popular hit song turned Webster dictionary term 'Bling, Bling' and was apart of the platinum selling hip-hop group The Hot Boys. Watching the MC develop into the multi-platinum artist he is today has been a thrill to Cash Money Co-CEO Ronald 'Slim' Williams.
"We've worked with Lil Wayne since he was a teenager, signing him as part of the legendary hip-hop group the Hot Boys with Juvenile, B.G. and Turk," Williams explained. "We have had the pleasure to see him grow and mature, both artistically and personally, into a multi-platinum superstar, but even more importantly, a loyal member of the Cash Money family, using our label as his base of operations," he continued.
"The success of 'Tha Carter III' was the result of Wayne's tireless work ethic and incredible creative ability, and on behalf of his New Orleans hometown, my brother, Baby, and I are honored to salute him as the artist with the most nominations at this year's Grammy Awards," he concluded.
In addition to his various projects, Lil Wayne will be headlining the 'I Am Music' tour featuring T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Gym Class Heroes and Keri Hilson. The tour kicks off December 14 in Miami and wraps up January 19 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
'The 51st Annual Grammy Awards' will air live, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS February 8.
Comments: (14)
Add a comment
By: Ms Tee on 12/05/2008 8:18AM
What does it say about us as a people that we could make a song about a female going down on a man the number one song and keep it there for weeks? What kind of brilliance did it take to "create" that track? You can't hate because the track's catchy hook is what got the album out there in the first place and put L'il Wayne on top. I remember a supervisor at work saying that he was calling other supervisors to alert them of a meeting and if he heard that ringtone one more time he was going to throw up. But, what can you say, this was his year. Yes, the little creature appears to be "The best in the business"-- For now.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: juanita Copeland on 12/05/2008 8:56AM
This is the ignorance at it's best and talk about hatred of women demonstrated by Wayne what's his name.
I was born in New Orleans and we were not allowed to go to City Park in the day. Here he stands, the white man's worst nightmare, showing ignorance, hatred of women and it's glorified. We won't even talk about his showing his drawers and about all of the misguided youth who will follow in his footsteps instead of Cornell West or other intellectuals.
God help us all if this is what's popular among young folks.
What morals? ethics? love of mankind?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Cassandra on 12/05/2008 12:47PM
TIME 4 CHANGE
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: P.Williams on 12/05/2008 3:55PM
I think Lil'Wayne is finally getting the respect he deserves. Long time due, even though his music is explicit towards women, it sells. If women didn't do what they do behind closed doors just because he's a recording artist, he wouldn't rap about it. I for one like the old Lil'Wayne myself, but now if you listen to him, not just the mainstream, but the mixtapes, you'll hear he has graduated from a rapper to a lyricst. One of the best of all time. Lil'Wayne also attented The University of Houston, he obtained a degree in Psychology. The baggy jeans and showing of the drawers is a symbol of where he from, nothing to do with intelligence. If the youth idolize him, they'll read about him and other forms of research, not just from seeing him perform. 'Album of the year' grammy-nomination, I salute him. Don't too much care for the new piercing, but hey, his music is fine by me.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: MIRRORS EDGE on 12/06/2008 1:54AM
Yalll dont like lil wayne but on the other end there is kanye west doing just as well and yall dont even respect that man for what he does...so clearly most black people (and of course not any white people) are going to be happy with whos on top in the music industry unless its a white person....Yall get mad when no black person is on top then when one gets on top you dont support him just because you dont agree with the way he makes his money. but youd agree with him if he gave you some of his people...some of you black folks need a lesson in supporting your people..you really suck at it.
Lil Wayne Do ya thing homie keep making that money!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Rockie28 on 12/07/2008 11:26AM
Lil Wayne's music doesnt influence the stuff people say it does like drugs, sex, and violence. That stuff was here before Lil Wayne and it will be here long after him. I'm a good student, virgin, and very responsible and I love Lil Waynes music. You dont see me doing drugs and licking lollipops and all of that. People do what they wanna do. Dont blame someones music for peoples bad actions and behavior. Besides none of this killing and drugs and stuff in the black community is not because of Lil Wayne. It's because of the PARENTS. Dont blame music on ya'll parents BAD PARENTING SKILLS. Teach your kids to grow up and be something!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: scott on 12/07/2008 8:31PM
some of you people are insane, im gonna be honest, i have bopped my bead to a couple of his songs but then i catch myself, you say that his music doesnt influence but it does, you say that he is the best at what he does, and that is sooo not true. he raps about things that most other men think and its mainly about women and money, oh and drugs, thats why so many people agree with him. its ashame because with all the rappers out there who have something different to rap about like common, and oh yeah even kanye west now, lil wayne is at the top:( im not "hating" on his success because as far as im concerned he can have it, all that money, and you cant take it beyond the grave!! so go ahead and praise him in all his glory but the truth is he is helping lead alot of people straight to hell!!. its all about upbringing, the sagging pants, all the tattoos, people look at him as a fashion statement, and just because he went to college doesnt make him brilliant, lets not forget he already had millions of dollars to help put himself through school. I just wish that he would find a new method of expressing himself!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Nicci C. on 12/07/2008 11:57PM
To me, Lil' Wayne looks just like the muppet, Gonzo. Hooked nose and all. There is not much that I can say other than the world loves ugly idiots. Lil' Wayne and Flavor Flav fit that bill perfectly.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Nicci C. on 12/07/2008 11:57PM
To me, Lil' Wayne looks just like the muppet, Gonzo. Hooked nose and all. There is not much that I can say other than the world loves ugly idiots. Lil' Wayne and Flavor Flav fit that bill perfectly.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: robert on 12/08/2008 2:33AM
you must be ffnn joking rappers suck no talent people who cant sing so the ryhm
Reply to this Comment | Report This