‘It’s my version of love songs,’ Weezy explains in ‘Hip Hop POV’ interview, airing tonight at midnight ET on MTV. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne on “Hip Hop POV” Photo: MTV2 Lil Wayne gets love all around the world, but on his next album, Weezy plans to flip the script. During an exclusive interview with Amanda Seales from MTV’s new weekly late-night talk show “Hip Hop POV,” Wayne revealed that he is working on a new LP called Devol (pronounced “devil”). “That’s ‘loved’ spelled backwards, and it’s my version of love songs,” Tunechi explained. “RapFix Live” premiered the exclusive clip, and fans can watch the entire interview tonight (April 11) at midnight ET on MTV during the series premiere of “Hip Hop POV.” Seales went down to Miami, where she was treated to an intimate listening session by the Young Money boss himself. It’s no secret that Weezy F has a way with the ladies. With songs like “Lollipop” and “She Will,” Wayne has carved out a lane for himself as a hip-hop sex symbol — but he isn’t exactly going all loverboy on us. “What I mean by my version of love songs is meaning they’re not saying, ‘I love you,’ ” he explains in the clip. “It’s all material I did when I was locked up.” Birdman Jr. isn’t the only rap star who will pop up on tonight’s debut: 2 Chainz will join the “Hip Hop POV” castmembers — also including Charlamagne tha God, Devi Dev, Bu Thiam and Sowmya Krishnamurthy — on the show’s premiere. Don’t miss tonight’s premiere episode of “MTV’s Hip Hop POV” at midnight ET on MTV. The conversation-based show highlights some of today’s hottest news and more from a cast of hip-hop tastemakers. Fans can also join in on the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #HipHopPOV. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ Gets A New Point Of View Related Artists Lil Wayne
The Martian’s double-platinum album and star-studded YMCMB roster land him firmly on MTV News’ Hottest MCs in the Game VII list. By MTV News staff Lil Wayne Photo: Getty Images On Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne raps about his “Nightmares of the Bottom.” While the sentiment revealed a humbler side of Tunechi, the Martian reached astronomical heights in 2011 and lands in the top half of MTV News’ Hottest MCs in the Game VII list. But Weezy’s winning year was even more impressive when you consider that the Cash Money soldier spent most of 2010 behind bars . With little time to prepare, Wayne hit 2011 hard beginning with the smash rap single (and Carter IV lead track) “6 Foot 7 Foot.” As with many albums, C4 saw a ton of delays, but Weezy made up for things with his Sorry 4 the Wait mixtape . When the fourth installment of the Carter series finally arrived on August 28 (after a show-closing VMA performance), Wayne moved 964,000 copies in a single week, just barely missing the platinum-in-a-week mark he hit with 2008’s Carter III. Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC! “Wayne had a strong year; almost a million in a week doesn’t lie,” said Yomi Desalu, MTV’s senior director of music and talent. “He’s definitely remained relevant for the whole year and once he came out, he hit the ground running.” HOT STREAK Album: Tha Carter IV Selected Mixtapes: Sorry 4 the Wait Singles: “How to Love,” “She Will” (featuring Drake), “Mirror” (featuring Bruno Mars) Street Bangers: “6 Foot 7 Foot” (featuring Cory Gunz), “John” (featuring Rick Ross) Key Guest Appearances: Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation,” B.o.B’s “Strange Clouds,” Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” (remix), Drake’s “The Motto” Meteoric Metrics: Wayne’s #1 Carter IV moved 964,000 copies in its first week and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA Business Ventures: Young Money CEO continued to clock dollars off record sales from Drake and Nicki Minaj; launched Trukfit clothing line Tours: I Am Still Music run took Wayne across three continents and raked in $47 million Monumental Moment: Hours after closing out the MTV VMAs in August, Tunechi released Tha Carter IV, earning a platinum plaque in just 14 days. Forecast: Wayne should continue to dominate in 2012. YM president Mack Maine predicted that Weezy will drop sequels to Rebirth and I Am Not a Human Being, and Tha Carter V is always a possibility. “I think that’s an understatement, that he remained relevant. I think that he maintained his dominance,” said Rob Markman, MTV News’ senior hip-hop writer. When we talk about Wayne, nobody [has] sold a million in a week — since Lil Wayne. Quite frankly, I think #4 is too low.” It was another banner year for Wayne. His first-week sales were higher than that of any other rap artist and his I Am Still Music Tour, Video Music Award performance and “MTV Unplugged” special proved that the YMCMB CEO was as impactful as ever. Granted, Weezy’s 2011 style and swag were an acquired taste (see his VMA animal-print jeggings and the day-Glo-green moon boots he sported in Drake’s “Motto” video), but his lyrical prowess on songs like “It’s Good” could not be denied. Some members of the Hip-Hop Brain Trust insisted that the Wayne train had lost a bit of steam though. “You talk about Sorry 4 the Wait, people were disappointed that it wasn’t No Ceilings. People were disappointed that Tha Carter IV was not Tha Carter III, ” said MTV Jams’ Tuma Basa. A few even contended that Weezy was riding off of the success of his Young Money artists Nicki Minaj and Drake. Did the students surpass the teacher? One roundtable panelist argued that Nicki the Ninja, who debuted on the “Hottest MCs” list at #6 in 2010 , had bested her sensei. “I definitely think over the past year Nicki’s singles have actually resonated with her fans. I don’t think any of Wayne’s songs [have] — if you want to say ‘John’ that’s a Rick Ross record; if you want to say ‘She Will,’ it was a Drake record,” said Steven Roberts, a producer/writer at MTV News. The Wayne/Nicki argument became so strong in fact that moderator and show host Sway Calloway decided to take a vote. In a most surprising turn, six of the nine experts elected to move Nicki Minaj up to the #4 spot and Lil Wayne down to #5. Still, no matter how you slice the pie, it’s all Young Moola, baby! What do you think of our list? Sound off on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” using the hashtag #HottestMC! Related Videos ‘Hottest MCs In The Game VII’
Lil Wayne took time out to diss Jay-Z (again) and Kanye West after celebrating Young Money’s success at Cash Money’s annual pre-Grammy party. After celebrating the success of his label YMCMB with performances, plaque presentations, announcements ( Christina Milian is now signed to the label) and even a moment of silence for Whitney Houston , Weezy couldn’t help but take a jab at Kanye West and Jay-Z aka Watch the Throne . “I ain’t really got nothing else to say, but uh…I met a bad red bone, I took the b*tch home, I asked her what she want to watch she said surely not the Throne,” spit Weezy, who immediately dropped the mic and walked off the stage as the crowd reacted. This is the second such shot Weezy has taken at Jay-Z. On “It’s Good” from Tha Carter IV Wayne rhymed, “ Talkin’ ’bout baby money, I got your baby money / Kidnap your b*tch, Get that ‘how much you love your lady?’ money. ” The boast was supposedly in retaliation for a jab Jay-Z sent on “H.A.M” where he said “ I’m like really half a billi n*gga, Really you got baby money / Keep it real with n*ggas, N*ggas ‘aint got my lady money. ” Watch Weezy diss The Throne below: RELATED: Jay-Z & Kanye West “N*ggas In Paris” [WORLD PREMIERE] Lil Wayne Shoots Down Engagement Rumors Lil Wayne Fires Back At Luke & Disses DJ Khaled Jay-Z Speaks On Beef With Lil Wayne: “That’s Sport” [VIDEO] Lil Wayne Reportedly Fought NFL Player Dez Bryant At Miami Nightclub Kanye West & Lil Wayne Spend Christmas With The Lakers [PHOTOS] Lil Wayne Explains His Syrup Sipping Habit [VIDEO]
‘I asked her what she want to watch, she said, ‘Surely not the Throne,’ ‘ Weezy rhymes, adding to the MCs’ back-and-forth. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Here we go again. Hours before Lil Wayne and the Throne face off in the Grammy battle for Best Rap Album at Sunday night’s (February 12) awards show, Weezy threw shots during YMCMB’s pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles on Saturday night. After receiving some new sales plaques for his wall, announcing that he had signed R&B singer Christina Milian and paying homage to the late Whitney Houston , Wayne dropped an a cappella freestyle directed at Jay-Z and Kanye West. “I met a bad red bone, I took the bi— home/ I asked her what she want to watch, she said, ‘Surely not the Throne,’ ” Weezy spit before he dropped the mic and moseyed offstage, according to Rap Radar . Things began to sour after a 2009 interview in which Cash Money CEO Bryan “Birdman” Williams objected to Jay-Z taking the crown for MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game” list for that year. “I don’t think he the #1 MC, in no kinda way,” Baby said, casting the first stone. “Wayne is the best, he do the most and he make the most money. I don’t think no n—a in the business make more money than us.” Jay returned fire at the top of 2011. On the Throne’s “H.A.M.,” Jigga made it clear that not only was Birdman, a.k.a. Baby, and Wayne not holding any Hov-caliber bucks, but that financially they couldn’t even compare to his wife, Beyonc
‘Gone Till November’ will come out two years after Weezy’s release from Rikers Island. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: MTV News Lil Wayne has a story to tell. Well, Lil Wayne probably has a bunch of stories to tell, but this fall the multiplatinum rap superstar will release “Gone Till November,” his memoir based on the diaries he kept while he was locked up for eight months on Rikers Island in New York. The book, which will come out in November, two years after Weezy’s release from prison, is being described as an internal monologue, according to the Associated Press . It will be released through Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Weezy was freed from Rikers Island on November 4, 2010, after he served eight months of a year-long sentence for an attempted gun possession charge. Police had arrested the rapper in 2007 following his headlining performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre. Wayne eventually pleaded guilty to the charge and turned himself in to authorities in March of 2010. MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway caught up with Wayne in Miami at a welcome-home party just days after his prison release. When asked how his transition from prison was going, Weezy simply responded with a grin. “I forgot about yesterday,” he said after thanking his fans and family for their support. He hasn’t completely forgotten, however, now that Wayne, who has since toured the world and released his double-platinum Tha Carter IV, plans to reminisce a little. Will you be picking up Lil Wayne’s “Gone Till November”? Tell us in the comments Related Videos Welcome Home, Weezy! Related Artists Lil Wayne
‘Gone Till November’ will come out two years after Weezy’s release from Rikers Island. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: MTV News Lil Wayne has a story to tell. Well, Lil Wayne probably has a bunch of stories to tell, but this fall the multiplatinum rap superstar will release “Gone Till November,” his memoir based on the diaries he kept while he was locked up for eight months on Rikers Island in New York. The book, which will come out in November, two years after Weezy’s release from prison, is being described as an internal monologue, according to the Associated Press . It will be released through Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Weezy was freed from Rikers Island on November 4, 2010, after he served eight months of a year-long sentence for an attempted gun possession charge. Police had arrested the rapper in 2007 following his headlining performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre. Wayne eventually pleaded guilty to the charge and turned himself in to authorities in March of 2010. MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway caught up with Wayne in Miami at a welcome-home party just days after his prison release. When asked how his transition from prison was going, Weezy simply responded with a grin. “I forgot about yesterday,” he said after thanking his fans and family for their support. He hasn’t completely forgotten, however, now that Wayne, who has since toured the world and released his double-platinum Tha Carter IV, plans to reminisce a little. Will you be picking up Lil Wayne’s “Gone Till November”? Tell us in the comments Related Videos Welcome Home, Weezy! Related Artists Lil Wayne
Did Lil Wayne fall off the wagon and relapse? As we previously reported, according to the terms of his probation , Lil Wayne cannot consume alcohol or drugs for three years. However, now comes word that Weezy was allegedly too intoxicated to “perform” for a groupie! The woman alleges that Wayne flew her to his Miami home for a romantic weekend but passed out in his red pajamas after drinking too much lean. She snapped photos of the rock star laid out on the couch! Click here to see them! RELATED: Jim Jones Disses Lil Wayne For Wearing Jeggings & Claiming Blood! Lil Wayne Bans Booze On Tour Lil Wayne Gets Probation In AZ Case; Must Avoid Liquor, Drugs Did Lil Wayne REALLY Sell A Milli? 16 Year Old Canadian Girl Clarifies “Sleeping With Lil Wayne” [VIDEO] Rocko Brings Out Jeezy & Jeezy Brings Out Lil Wayne [VIDEO & PHOTOS] VIDEO: What Set Is Lil Wayne Claiming?
Tunechi delivered a scorching combo of ‘How to Love’ and ‘John’ to end the show on Sunday night. By Alvin Blanco Lil Wayne performs at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images Lil Wayne closes out a hectic week that included a skateboarding mishap and a Jay-Z dis by proving he’s just as much rock star as he is rap star. Weezy F. closed out the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards with a scorching performance of his hits “How to Love” and “John.” “You know, he always comes different: One day he’s a rock star, one day he’s a skater; he’s singing R&B. I think we can expect a little bit of everything in this performance,” Weezy’s musical director Gil Smith told MTV News last week. He wasn’t kidding. YMCMB wunderkind Drake introduced Weezy, who kicked off his performance singing his hit rap ballad “How to Love,” with Auto-tune effects added to his microphone. Backed by a live band, Lil Tunechi eased down the stage sporting a black top hat, snug-fitting animal prints pants, a white V-neck T-shirt and red Vans. After showing off his vocal chops and finishing the first verse of “How to Love,” Weezy then took off the hat and shirt, put back on his sunglasses, and after uttering, “Ladies and gentleman, my name is Lil Wayne,” screamed and launched into “John.” The band replaced the original instrumental with the familiar groove of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” giving the performance a decidedly hard-rock turn as the rapper hyperactively jumped around the stage. After kicking his verse for “John,” which features Rick Ross, Weezy ran into the crowd and greeted Rozay. Back onstage, he picked up a white and black guitar and told the crowd to put their hands in the air (along with plenty of expletives) and played a few notes, before removing the instrument and slamming it to the stage. With Jay-Z and Beyonc
You really cannot be serious… According to TMZ , Lil Wayne has been named in yet another lawsuit . Lil Wayne rapped on stolen property — at least according to another MC, who insists he’s the rightful owner of the beat behind Weezy’s “How to Love” … and now, he’s out for some legal vengeance. Rapper Rich Rick (right) filed the lawsuit earlier this week in L.A. County Superior Court, claiming he purchased several master recordings between 2006 and 2009 — including the beat that now appears on “How to Love” — from a group of rap producers called Drummer Boyz. Rick claims the Drummer Boyz double-crossed him in November 2010 — pitching the SAME beat to Lil Wayne … and Weezy acquired it in exchange for a 35% royalty agreement, eventually using the beat on “How to Love.” The song’s a hit — and needless to say, Rick’s royally pissed … insisting the Drummer Boyz screwed him over. Rick’s suing Weezy, the Drummer Boyz, and others for everything from breach of contract to fraud — demanding everything DB are entitled to under their agreement with Wayne … plus 10% interest. Okay, maybe this guy just threw Wayne’s name in the mix for publicity… But still: C’MON SON! Get your business together.
