Side projects, grammy nods solidify Lil’ Wayne’s place in music stardom
It's been a long time since hip-hop and hip-hop artists were embraced by the mainstream of American culture. Still, there was something strange and remarkable this past February watching Katie Couric -- as part of a CBS pre-Grammy special -- chatting up New Orleans-bred rap star Lil' Wayne.
Lil' Wayne will offer a preview of his next record, the rock-oriented Rebirth during his performance at FedExForum.
T-Pain joins Keri Hilson and Gym Class Heroes on Lil' Wayne's "I Am Music" tour, which is making a stop in Memphis Sunday.
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Seeing the tattooed and dreadlocked Lil' Wayne, singer of last summer's suggestive smash hit "Lollipop," palling around with the cherub cheeked Couric -- the two went bowling, talked about music, using marijuana, and the impact of Hurricane Katrina -- was affirmation of Wayne's newfound status. Indeed, his last album, Tha Carter III, sold some 3 million copies and earned eight Grammy nominations, cementing his place in the pantheon of music superstars.
Saturday, Lil' Wayne makes his way to Memphis to perform at FedExForum, part of a his "I Am Music" tour supporting his last album, and offering a preview of his next record, the rock-oriented Rebirth, due later this year. Fellow rapper T-Pain, R&B songstress Keri Hilson and hip-hop/rock band Gym Class Heroes round out the package bill.
Since he began releasing the first of his trilogy of Tha Carter albums in 2004, Wayne's popularity has grown exponentially. But in a way, Grammy honors and platinum albums have always seemed to be Lil Wayne destiny.
Born and raised in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, the 26 year-old Wayne -- real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. -- was a child prodigy, writing raps by the time he was in grade school. He was soon discovered and mentored by Cash Money label mogul Bryan Williams, and began doing guest performances on the label's releases. In his teens, Wayne became the youngest member of rap group The Hot Boys, who released their chart topping major label debut in 1999.
Before long, however, Wayne was ready to branch out, going solo for the first time with The Block Is Hot. A savvy rap vet by the time he was 17, Wayne continued to make the charts with a succession of solo efforts including Lights Out (2000) and 500 Degreez (2002).
But it was the release of Tha Carter in 2004 and Tha Carter II in 2005 that saw Wayne make a dramatic creative leap. With Tha Carter and Tha Carter II peaking at No. 5 and No. 2 on the Billboard charts respectively, it would set the stage for his breakthrough, Tha Carter III.
Released last summer, the album shot straight to the top of the Billboard charts, selling a remarkable million plus units in its first week alone, and ultimately becoming the biggest selling album of 2008. Critics and peers also hailed the disc as one of the year's best with the record finishing near the top of many year-end lists, including those of Rolling Stone and Blender magazine, and last month Wayne was awarded with a trio of Grammy awards.
Given his new high profile, Wayne has been able to indulge his myriad interests beyond rap: he writes a column and blog for ESPN, as well as appears on the network's sports debate shows like "Around the Horn" where he's frequently gotten the better of professional journalists.
Flush with the success of Tha Carter III, Wayne is using his newfound status to explore new musical avenues. His forthcoming album, Rebirth, is being touted as a rock record, reported to feature collaborations with Chicago pop-punk Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne. Fans of Wayne's hip-hop need not despair, however, as there are already rumors that he's prepping work on variety of projects, including an R&B flavored album called Luv Sawgnz, a collaborative disc with T-Pain, as well as the highly anticipated solo follow-up, Tha Carter IV.
Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes, Keri Hilson
Sunday, 7 p.m. at the FedExForum. Tickets range from $39.75 to $79.75. To purchase go to ticketmaster.com or call 525-1515.
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