While standing in line at Zia Records in Phoenix, Arizona, I knew this moment was going to be special because I was meeting one of hip-hop’s greatest mentors, artists, and moguls — Nipsey Hussle — the man who is teaching an entire generation how to be your own boss, reinvest, and stay true to who you are.
As the line was approaching Tha Great, he called out to some of his homies in the back whom security was trying to cut off. One of the gentlemen was the guy who Nip sold a ’85 Cutlass Supreme to, helping spark Hussle’s music career.
This was a beautiful moment. To witness two friends who came from nothing, reunite and celebrate this special moment. From signing a deal with Epic Records, to forming his own record label, All Money In, it’s all coming full-circle for the 32-year-old emcee. Neighborhood Nip’s first studio album of his career, Victory Lap, is born to the world.
Ladies and gentleman, hustlers and grinders, dreamers and revolutionaries alike, Nipsey Hussle is asking us to come together as one. Victory Lap is a time for reflection.
Look how far you’ve come. The late nights and early mornings you’ve spent dedicating your blood, sweat and tears to your dream is starting to finally pay off.
People who have doubted you are starting to realize your greatness. The same greatness that you knew was in you all along. In the moment when you faced fear, you remained solid and overcame everything.
You were prepared for the opportunity and when it arose, you seized it. Your vision is coming to fruition. Nipsey Hussle told us on Mailbox Money, “Opportunity plus preparation they meet, it’s nice,” and it still reigns true. That is why we love and appreciate Nip. His music is just too real.
From the jump Nipsey Hussle has remained true to this game. Always representing Crenshaw and Slauson Ave., Nip has become the voice of the Los Angeles streets.
Nipsey Hussle’s ability to paint a vivid picture through his words allows listeners to connect with him on a deeper level. Fans who bump Nip feel his pain, aggression, happiness, and business acumen all in one.
When you listen to his music, it just makes you want to get off your ass and be somebody.
Hussle’s music makes you reevaluate your own life. It makes you question if you are on the right path. Nip’s story of overcoming the streets, but still giving back to the same streets he’s seen death and destruction on is nothing short of inspiring. It leaves no room for excuses to ever not chase your dream.
The message Neigborhood Nip is giving us is simple — if you believe in yourself with everything you have, be vulnerable, and never quit, your dreams will manifest in divine order.
As we continue on our own marathons of life, let’s celebrate Nip’s Victory Lap together. Be sure to listen as it’s streaming on all platforms.
Peep the video above to see how he made it all happen his way. #VictoryLap.
From beefing with The Rock to baby mama drama and social media rants, Tyrese should probably just chill out and lay low a little bit.
But even when Tyrese Gibson tries to lay low, he still somehow, finds a way to take an L. It’s gut wrenching to watch sometimes because we love Tyrese.
We love seeing Mr. Gibson having fun as Roman Pearce from the classic Fast & Furious series. We remember his legendary role in the hood drama Baby Boy. So when we see Tyrese wild’n out we laugh, but left still feeling bad for him.
On Valentine’s Eve, Tyrese was serenading fans at the Valentine’s Love Jam in Detroit.
As the “Best of Me” singer was wrapping up his gig, one lady wanted to make it a night she’d never forget. After making up her mind to shoot her shot, the female lunged on stage running toward the singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx9GPHBLDIk
It seems like Tyrese didn’t even have time to think “What Am I Gonna Do” as the “Sweet Lady” darted toward him. Caught off guard as the woman was sprinting toward him, Tyrese gave her a jolt she’d never forget.
Nearly stumbling to the floor, security rushed to rescue her, making sure she didn’t fall off the stage or put herself in any more harm. Tyrese appeared apologetic as he did not leave the stage until he received confirmation that she was fine.
However, in this situation I don’t give the L to Tyrese. I give it to the woman rushing the stage. Of course Tyrese could have given the woman a hug like she wanted.
Damn It Tyrese! Lmao he gave that a girl a line backer shove lmao
With everything Tyrese has been through recently, his only focus is to see his son and secure his bags. I did find it hilarious that he handed the towel to another group of female fans and not the woman he pushed.
Maybe back in 2002 when Mr. Gibson was really poppin’ with his music, he would have accepted the woman’s shot. Ladies you have to understand you can’t keep jumping on stage expecting to for men to accept you on stage while artists are wrapping up shows.
It’s a “Shame” that it had to happen to Tyrese. Do you still want to see Roman Pierce in Fast 9? Let us know in the comments!
What’s poppin’ world! It’s almost tax season aka shmoney season! Before you go flex on Instagram with your money, I’m going to teach you a simple way to make passive income while flipping cars.
I’m a college student who lives life freely, able to create content daily because I’ve established passive-income. This is free game you cannot get anywhere else so bookmark this link and start letting your money work for you. Don’t even trip.
A business license isn’t required to be your own boss. Copart is the plug. All that they require you to have is a valid driver’s license, and you’re good to go.
Buying and selling cars is one of the easiest ways to flip your tax return. The great thing about it is, you don’t have to know much about cars. Coparthas it all consolidated for you. With over a thousand vehicles available each week and located in all 50 states, there is enough for all of us to eat.
Understanding terminology
Before going into a live auction it’s important to know what you are looking for. Copart has cars classified under many genres, but the only cars you should be interested in are run/drive (meaning the car runs) with a clean title. Most customers are afraid of salvage titles because it is too much of a headache to get cleared by the DMV.
Automatic transmissions are most desirable for buyers over manual transmission vehicles because not everyone know hows to drive stick. As far as damage goes, only go for cars that have normal wear, or if the damage is listed as mechanical.
Unless it’s a truck or RV, let’s keep the mileage under 150,000 so you get the most bang for your buck. Make sure you have four or five whips on your list of potential buys.
If you’re the type that needs to see under the hood, say no more. Monday-Saturday, Copart allows you to preview cars in person at their facility.
Go in with a winning mindset
If you want to make it in the U.S., you have to understand America is a ruthlessly capitalist country. Success comes with collaboration.
With that being said, it’s imperative to find a mechanic in your neighborhood who’s willing to work with you on the price if your car ever needs maintenance.
Mechanics are businessmen too, and if you come to them honestly with your plan in hand, the majority of the time they will work with you since you are helping their business bring in more money.
Be sure to research your area for the cheapest auto-parts store around. Sometimes cars can be a little pricey to fix up and the goal is to spend as least as possible when trying to flip a car. I wouldn’t recommend flipping cars if you are not willing to reach out to a mechanic. Don’t worry about having a dealer’s license either.
It’s not going to stop your grind. Most states allow you to buy 2-6 cars a year to sell without possessing one so it’s all good. If you ever reach that limit, just start buying cars under your mother’s, father’s, sister’s, or brother’s name.
If you are really about your hustle, nothing will stop your grind. Believe in yourself and the rest will work out.
The flip
If you play your cards right, you can snag a whip for $300 or $500 and flip for $2000 profit. Before we get into the buying aspect of the car game, you have to know what you are looking for.
With selling apps like Let Go, Offer Up, and Craigslist, as well as the presence of Facebook Marketplace, it has become easier to make a sale. You can even use a Wal-Mart parking lot as a car lot to maximize the amount of eyeballs seeing your whip. Whatever it takes!
When making the sale, you can accept a downpayment of $1500 or $2000 and let checks roll in every month until the car is paid off. Then, you can take that down payment money and go buy another car and start stacking up.
This will allow you to be able to breathe financially, feel like a boss, and make more investments since you’ll have money to play with.
There might be a car that you see during an auction that you may want to buy for your personal use, like Maybach Benz or Jeep Rubicon. We all can dream, right?
Let’s make those dreams a reality. It’s 2018! Let’s diversify our portfolios and win more.
Stop wasting your money start having your money work for you.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in a slump as of late.
After a wild sequence of trades before the deadline, which seemed to be LeBron James clearing house, the “King” visited TD Garden yesterday to play the Boston Celtics.
Former Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, and championship winning coach Doc Rivers were in attendance celebrating the retirement of Paul Pierce’s jersey.
Why against the Cavs? Who knows. Maybe Pierce wanted to rub it in James’ face one last time. Coming into the game, the Cavs seemed vulnerable.
With an almost completely new cast and no Kevin Love going up against the Celtics, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference, it seemed like it would be a cakewalk for Boston.
Nevertheless, it’s completely asinine that Pierce and the Celtics chose to retire his jersey against long-time rival LeBron James who’s still in his bag.
As long as the Cavs have LeBron James running the show, they will always be contenders. I understand Paul Pierce is “The Truth” and wanted to keep it real, but Dave Chappelle would classify this case as “When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.”
The Celtics got routed 121-99 as the Cavs cruised to victory. Paul Pierce made that bed and today he is still laying in it, feeling hungover from his spoiled celebration. Although the Celtics’ bench was filled with sour faces yesterday, one former Celtic was able to steal the show. That Celtic was Kevin Garnett.
KG had Twitter going bananas trying to figure out how in the HELL his hoodie stayed on his head! Was it super glued to his head?
Maybe Kevin Garnett is a marketing genius because this isn’t the first time that KG has blessed us with his hoodie swag. What wizardry is KG cooking up over at Area21 with his stylist?
T.I.’s sideways caps was a mystery, but what Garnett is doing has to be breaking the rules of physics. I guess given that your squad is down by 30, you have to figure out someway to keep eyeballs glued to the game right?
Some say Kevin Garnett tapes his hoodie to his head which enables him to style it anyway he desires. We need answers!
One thing I do know is, if we ever find out the company of who designs his hoodies, invest stock in that company because prices are going up. What do you guys think?
Here’s what Twitter was saying.
Let’s discuss Kevin Garnett’s hoodie. I’m gonna say that double sided scotch tape holding that up. https://t.co/MxnE46YpY5
Ok, someone help me. Wtf is up with Kevin Garnett’s hoodie stuck on his head. It gives me anxiety for the hoodie, like just let it fall dude it’s been hanging long enough.
National Signing Day is a proud moment for young men and women chasing their athletic dreams while seeking a higher education.
It’s an event where the school, community, family, and friends gather together in celebration of their star pupils choosing what college they will attend.
Local media and press are there to cover the event, evening garnering attention from ESPN. All the years of blood, sweat, and tears are finally paid off at this moment.
For the nation’s #5-ranked wide receiver Jacob Copeland, it’s a milestone he’ll never forget. But what was supposed to be an exciting and emotional event quickly became kind of a downer for the wrong reasons.
The 4-Star commit Jacob Copeland is now a Florida Gator. While Gator fans are ecstatic about the commitment, his mother didn’t seem so thrilled about the decision.
So much so, in fact, that she left her son’s side and walked away from the commitment table. Wearing an Alabama sweatshirt and a Tennessee hat, no words were spoken as mama Copeland departed while her son was putting on his Florida Gators cap.
Sports Illustrated would later report that Copeland’s mother returned to give her son a hug and watch him sign his letter of intent.
Regardless of the circumstances, Copeland’s mother’s actions should not be chastised. This is one of the toughest decisions EVER for young high school athletes to make. This is a time when family circles have to be tighter than ever.
The pressure for student-athletes at times seems insurmountable due to the expectations placed on kids coming out of high school. Copeland handled the situation with poise and class.
He didn’t throw his mother under the bus and most importantly he followed his instincts. For a mother, it is hard to let go of her young cub.
Sure if Copeland chose ‘Bama he’d get more exposure and could be playing for national title in his first year, but it wouldn’t be HIS choice.
@JCope1era
It is important for fans and media outlets to report the full story in its entirety instead of only reporting what they see because it’s trending.
The Copelands have lives and are human beings just like you reading this article. Be sure to follow the young star Jacob Copeland on Twitter at @JCope1era.
And don’t worry too much about him, Jacob spoke on his mom dipping on him and it’s nothing serious! Best of luck bro!
What my mama did today was hilarious 😂 if you knew her personally that’s her job. PUT ON A SHOW! 🤦🏾♂️😂😂
We are in the second month of 2018, and Drake has already been full of surprises.
Drizzy of course blessed us with Scary Hours; a two track EP featuring “God’s Plan” that has been killing the Billboard charts and breaking all the streaming records. When did producer Boi-1da know the record would smash? He said,
“Instantly. With Drake, he never misses. Soon as I heard it, I knew it was going to be great.”
No lie, Drake is blessed. With his wealth and celebrity status, it seems like the “Controlla” MC is making the conscious effort to spread his blessings not only with his music. Imagine skipping class the day after the Super Bowl only to have OVO’sleader have the entire school in his music video. I’d be sick!
On Monday, Drake made an unexpected visit to Miami Senior High to shoot part of his music video for “God’s Plan”. If you are thinking they captured visuals inside classrooms or the hallways, then you’re sadly mistaken.
A drone captured all of the footage and of course students and faculty had their snapchats and cameras working overload. After the festivities came to a close, Drake donated $25,000 to the school and offered to help design new uniforms.
Drake’s philanthropy doesn’t stop there. After receiving multiple scholarships with an inspiring essay, Destiny Paris, a student at the University of Miami, thought she had reached the scholarship limit. Unbeknownst to her, Champagne Papi had another gift up his sleeve. Drake pulled up on Paris with a $50,000 check toward her tuition.
“Oh you gotta love it!” Paris shared her story and her encounter with Drake on Instagram.
No the giving isn’t over yet. Drake must have missed the memo that Christmas isn’t until December! This time, Drizzy was helping people with their groceries.
We have apps to have our groceries delivered to us. Walmart encourages you to shop online and pick up what you purchase at the store. We are encouraged to be lazy or as I say “work smarter.”
But if you are still an OG shopper, you never know when someone may, oh I don’t know… buy everyone in the store’s groceries. Yesterday, Drake ran up a check at Sabor Tropical Supermarket in Miami, Florida, spending $50,000 on shoppers’ groceries!
Imagine walking into the grocery store just to pick up a “few things” to have Young Money’s hottest act, Drizzy Drake, buy your food. Drake even stopped to take pictures, sign autographs, and help shoppers find what they need.
It’s hard enough finding a Walmartassociate to help you with what you need. The fact that there’s a superstar helping you shop is unprecedented.
Drake is truly living God’s plan and it goes to show that when you have, you should give. Not only does it make you a better person, it enhances the community.
We need Aubrey Drake Graham to keep pushing the Kulture forward and setting examples for younger artists coming into the rap game.
Update: The Drake blessings continue down in Miami.
Unless you are an undeniable legend like Michael Jackson, Elton John, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, or Eminem, it is hard to become a household name just for your music.
I mean think about it for a second. How many artists do you know that get love in every household in the United States regardless of race?
These days it’s hard to deny the influence that the Migos has had on the culture in the past few years. Since blowing up on to the scene, they’ve started plenty of the trends from flows to the dab, but now they’re in unfamiliar territory.
While the reviews of their latest album haven’t been extraordinary (some critics are calling it a “data dump“), there is a silver lining for the Migo gang.
Culture II may not be sonically different from any other Migos project before, but it definitely sets up Takeoff’s solo career to finally get poppin’. Deemed the most lyrical of the group, Takeoff shines brightest on “Notice Me”,blazing the track with his unique triplet flow.
All three members had their space to glow and are prepping their audience of how they’re coming in 2018. If one thing’s for certain, the three-headed dragon draped in Versace and dripping in diamonds we call Migos isn’t splitting up anytime soon.
Recently, hip-hop’s hottest trio stopped by Big Boy’s radio-station to discuss Culture II. During a recent interview at “Big Boy’s Neighborhood”, Migos’ Offset ruffled some feathers by making some bold claims saying, they’re the best group ever in any genre.
Yes… you read that right, not even the biggest rap group, the biggest GROUP…. EVER! No Beatles, no Hot Boyz, no Wu-Tang Clan, no Outkast, no Pink Floyd, no AC/DC, no Three 6 Mafia, but the Migos ladies & gentleman.
You are probably laughing that statement off in disgust, or shaking your head in disbelief. They may not have a Grammy under their belt, but neither does Tupac Shakur or Biggie, so let’s not write off Migos’ claim as the best group ever just yet.
The Migos are Atlanta’s hottest artists and they’ve had hip-hop culture on lock down since breaking onto the scene in 2012 with “Bando”.
Offset was still in jail and Takeoff and Quavo were rocking “Free Offset” shirts. After having the underground on lock with “Bando”, it was time to capitalize. Fast-forwarding to 2013, Migos knock it out the park with their hit single “Versace”.
You would have thought Migos had a sponsorship with “Versace” the way the whole world was mimicking their song. In fact, Migos’ “Versace”made Drake want to hop on their wave.
Through 2014-2016, Migos had the whole globe dabbing along, dropping multiple hits like “Handsome & Wealthy”, “Look At My Dab”, “Fight Night”, and“Pipe It Up”. That’s when we knew Migos would be a staple in the rap game.
When the dust clears, Offset’s statement could be right. In 2017, Migos scored their first number one album with Culture.
It’s February 2018 and most people still can’t get “Bad & Boujee” out of their heads. Donald Glover’s (aka Childish Gambino) Migos’ shoutout at the Golden Globes last year catapulted their mainstream stardom, making Migos more appealing to suburban audiences.
Still to this day, that moment remains a main contributor to their success in capturing a mainstream audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4bprZkOqiU
Now, they’re even performing on Ellen.
They’ve been in the game for six years, and their audience is growing with them. As trendsetters their momentum will continue to steamroll forward. And don’t think that they’ve gone pop either. Quavo is out here robbing fools and they’re still very much with the shits.
If you are expecting the Migos momentum to slow up, think again.
As their music matures so will the artists they work with. Migos still have unreleased flames with Kanye West that music fiends have been itching for. Takeoff and Lil Yachty (Lil Boat!) are also looking to bless our ears with a collab project in the near future.
They could be the legends our grandchildren will talk about when it comes to hip-hop and music in general as Migos continue to develop new trends and sounds.
So if you want to hate, hate while you can. There is still the time to do it, it’s just running out. Quickly.
Greatest. Ever. Those are the two words football fans regurgitate when talking Tom Brady.
I’ve also expressed the same sentiment, and on paper how can you deny that as fact? 6x Super Bowl Champion, 13 Pro Bowl Selections, 2x Regular Season MVP.
But are we really going to sit here and act like Tom Brady isn’t a product of the system?
In a league that sees coaches hired and fired at the drop of a hat, Tom Brady has been blessed to have the same head coach for 17 seasons in Bill Belichick.
Brady is in his tenth year with Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention former OC Charlie Weis was there for Brady’s first four years winning three Super Bowls in that span.
When Tom Brady got injured in 2008, Matt Cassel was at the helm and led the Pats to an 11-5 season. When Brady was suspended in the first four games last season, backups Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo had never started an NFL game. Because of the offensive system in place, they combined for a record of 3-1.
In the 2001 AFC Championship game, Drew Bledsoe stepped in and defeated the Steelers because of the offensive scheme. If you haven’t caught my drift yet, let me reiterate, TOM BRADY IS THE PRODUCT OF THE SYSTEM.
He has logged over 10,000 hours in his offensive scheme. You can literally plug and place a player at their respective positions on that offense and the Patriots wouldn’t miss a beat. When the backups come into play they’re going to succeed, and their trade value drastically increases.
With Jimmy Garoppolo traded to San Francisco for a 2nd round pick and Jacoby Brissett traded to Indianapolis for receiver Phillip Dorsett, it’ll be interesting to see how their careers pan out away from the Pats.
If you ask any quarterback, past or present, they’ll express to you that it’s hard to establish continuity with the coaching staff when coordinators are coming and going like an Uber. Hell, since 2012, Joe Flacco has had FIVE different play-callers in his ear!
Unless you have the skill set of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, or Drew Brees, I challenge any quarterback to be elite.
There wouldn’t be a Brady without Belichick, but there would be a Belichick without Brady. Tom Brady isn’t the greatest ever and even he let it be known in an interview with ESPN saying,
“I don’t agree with that, and I’ll tell you why. I know myself as a player. I’m really a product of what I’ve been around, who I was coached by, what I played against and the era I played in. I really believe if a lot of people were in my shoes, they could accomplish the same kinds of things. I’ve been very fortunate.”
That is what makes Brady great. What I won’t take away from Brady is his love for the game, winning attitude, and work ethic. Those intangibles are unmatched and that’s why he is deemed the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtrQOm_GmWM
Love him or hate him, you have to respect him. When it is time to win, Brady puts his team in a position to win. At age 40, Brady continues to snooze off “father time” exemplifying greatness. It doesn’t look like he’s planning on slowing down anytime soon.
“I always said my mid-40s…. and naturally that means around 45. If I get there and I still feel like I do today, I don’t see why I wouldn’t want to continue.”
However, with Josh McDaniels leaving for a head coaching job with the Colts after the Super Bowl, we will see if Brady can still be dominant.
If Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers switched places with Brady, would you still be calling him the “Greatest ever”?
You are a superstar, a global icon, and your greatness in this game of basketball has already been solidified.
There is nothing else you can do to propel your legendary career. To Millennials and Generation Z babies, you are the equivalent of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
However, there is one thing that separates you from Jordan and Bryant and that is the dunk contest, or rather your absence from it.
Here are 5 reasons why you should enter the next All-Star Weekend dunk contest.
You could be the savior of the dunk contest
LeBron James, you would go down as the savior of the dunk contest. People want to see the best participate in the events that make All-Star Weekend special.
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for fans and athletes. I know basketball players are interested in the business side more than ever nowadays, but this act would further demonstrate the love that you have for the game.
You’d win
It’d be a landslide victory! Yo LeBron, we’ve seen the dunks that you perform during pregame warmups and they’re absolutely insane. They’re bananas.
Why wouldn’t you want to have fun and put on a show for the whole basketball landscape?
The memories would stand the test of time
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there are not many memorable LeBron James moments. Besides “The Block” he had vs the Golden State Warriors, we know LeBron for his ferocious dunks and being a walking triple-double.
As great as LeBron has been since any of us can remember, he’s more known for being ridiculously consistent instead of single moments that would define his legacy.
If he shut down the dunk contest, it would be talked about for generations to come. It would be the most watched dunk contest of all time (think Jordan from the free throw line).
More stars would participate
It would bring more life to All-Star weekend!
If LeBron was in the dunk contest, more big name superstars like John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Lonzo Ball, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Andrew Wiggins would be eager to participate on a consistent basis.
Who would not love the pressure and level of competition that superstars bring out of each other? Wouldn’t it be crazy to see LeBron James face off against Zion Williamson in 2020?!
The Kulture needs it
In a world full of egos, it would be a beautiful demonstration to show that you’re not too big for an event. The dunk contest used to be a highly-acclaimed event but has turned into a joke of late.
Kids who dream of playing in the NBA used to talk about being in the dunk contest and would practice dunking religiously to one day be able to show the world what god-given abilities they are capable of.
Let’s give the future something to be excited for! You can restore its legacy while further cementing yours. The dunk contest is the NBA’s most electrifying event during All-Star Weekend.
It is still an affair that everyone crowds around the television for, hoping it returns to its glory days when the NBA’s brightest stars used to participate.
Besides Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon’s 2016 showdown, every year Magic Johnson is forced to say that the dunk contest is back when in reality we know it’s trash.
King James, you would be forever immortalized if you made a surprise entry into the 2018 dunk contest. There is nothing left to prove, so have fun with the rest of your career. On behalf of all NBA fans, LeBron James, please do it for the the Kulture.
Let’s rewind it back to a simpler time. It’s 2006. You’re probably in middle school or high school trying to bring “Sexy Back” like Justin Timberlake or obsessed with Borat.
Jay-Z’s retirement has left a void in New York, and N.Y. MCs found themselves fighting for the crown.
50 Cent is beefing with every rapper in the Big Apple (with good reason). T.I. is claiming “King of The South,” and Lil Wayne just declared himself the “BEST RAPPER ALIVE” whileNas is leading the “hip-hop is dead”crusade.
His reasoning is because New York is the Mecca of hip-hop culture, and with NY artists beefing with each other, ‘hip-hop’ is killing itself. Think of it as your childhood home. It groomed you to be the person you are today.
Your childhood memories would be lost if your house was ever sold or washed away. Put it this way, if a rapper from the South was claiming king in an era where Southern hip-hop wasn’t as mainstream, hip-hop is dead. Due to the lack of media outlets and exposure, rappers from the South were viewed as simple, lacking substance and slow.
We are still in 2006. Lil Wayne is out to prove he is the best rapper alive. Remember, Nas is saying hip-hop is dead; even after the release of Weezy’s now critically acclaimed album, Tha Carter II. This ignites a fire in Wayne.
The disrespect that Wayne is getting from Nas is asinine. The lyrical assault displayed on C2 was flawless. Inspired, Wayne went back to the lab and dropped another classic, Dedication 2, within a 5 month span.
Nas is still not giving him the credit he deserves. The amount of classic material Lil Wayne is about to release… to this day in 2018, is still unmatched.
Wayne dropped Dedication 2, Like Father Like Son, I Can’t Feel My Face with New York artist Juelz Santana, Lil Weezy Ana,Drought 3, The Carter 3Files, and countless features all building up to his album, Tha Carter III.
It’s 2008 and Lil Wayne is gearing up for the release of his biggest album to date. He’s not worried about the sales because Tune knows he will at sell at least a milli (y’all catch that? lol).
Weezy’s still out to prove that he is the BEST RAPPER ALIVE, and at this point, he is putting Southern hip-hop on his back. On “Dr. Carter” he proves it. In the track “Gossip” he says,
“Stop, analyzing, criticizing, you should realize who I am and start epitomizing”
“Dr. Carter” is a lyrical onslaught full of subliminal shots to Nas that would change the landscape of the rap game forever. What “Dr. Carter” is doing is pulling the plug on New York hip-hop and bringing the crown to the South.
In 2007, at the BET Hip-Hop Awards Wayne performed “Gossip”. Responding to Nas telling him that he’s the best rapper in the game and he doesn’t care about his props. In 2008 he would change the rap game forever. Once again to quote the track,
“You don’t have to pick me to win the title fight, but I’m a wear that championship belt so tight.”
It took years for Nas to make “Hip-Hop is Dead”and it took Wayne two years to craft the perfect song to respond. The first verse on “Dr. Carter” addresses concepts and originality.
When Nas dropped “Hip-Hop is Dead” he did it as a concept. It was his campaign to help him sell records.
Wayne sees this as Nas lacking originality and conceptual ideas that actually push the culture forward. Tunechi is mocking Nas because his music isn’t popping and is ridiculing Nas because he only has one style while Wayne has several.
Wayne raps:
“All I need is ONE MIC” (one of Nas’ best songs) All I need is one take, like hey brighter than a sun ray, gotta pistol on the playground watch the gunplay”
This is a direct diss to Nas. In Nas’ song, “I Gave You Power”, he compared himself to a gun.
Lil Wayne is saying that he’s that much smarter than Nas and he’s essentially playing with him like a kid. Nas sees what Wayne is doing, but won’t acknowledge him as one of the best. Wayne understands this and that is why he is dissing him so effortlessly.
Displaying that, when it comes to rap, he’s that much better than Nas, Wayne goes on to explain to the world not to be like Nas, but to be yourself.
Weezy also says “gotta work everyday, gotta not be cliche….gotta have faith,” he understands that’s cliche and that’s why the first verse ends with a flat line because he was telling you what society tells you to get you motivated. It’s an extended double entendre. Be yourself and you’ll always win. On “Dr. Carter” he says,
“So I stopped writing, Now I’m like lighting and you ain’t Vince Young so don’t clash with the Titan.”
In the second verse it’s all about respect. When Nas said hip-hop is dead, it was disrespectful to the rap game and to Wayne personally.
Weezy is not tripping anymore because he knows Nas’ career is dying off. Nas also criticizes rappers for using other rappers rhymes. Most notably, he’s criticized Jay-Z for biting lyrics.
Jay-Z said when he uses a Biggie line, it’s to embrace his legacy. This second verse is used to pay his respects to Kanye, Jeezy, and Swizz Beats. Nas made a career off rapping over samples to criticize the use of others work in your own work is hypocritical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QieWURWhLFg
That is what Weezy aims to show Nas. He also says Nas can’t battle Wayne bar for bar because he couldn’t keep up and that’s why his career is dying. So Lil Wayne gives Nas a Vicodin, tells him to relax and watch how easy it is for him to run the rap game, killing his career in the process.
In the last verse, Wayne brings it home with his own unique style. His swag and confidence on the track brings his words to life to the point that you can see it vividly. The rap game is alive through him.
If it wasn’t for Wayne’s hard work and sacrifices, there wouldn’t be Future, 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Drake or Lil Yachty, Kodak Black and many more of your new favorite artists.
