In a recent interview with Taylor Rooks, Lil Wayne delved into a myriad of topics, shedding light on his collaboration with Kevin Durant, his self-proclaimed status as the "LeBron James of rap," and the transformative journey that has molded him into a seasoned artist with five Grammy wins.
The conversation touched upon the evolving landscape of the music industry, with Lil Wayne expressing his desire to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Proudly acknowledging Drake's success, the 5-time Grammy winner emphasized the importance of industry evolution and adaptation.
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Weezy extended his insights to the sports arena, offering advice to basketball prodigy Angel Reese and boldly predicting Ja Morant to be the next face of the NBA.
However, a poignant moment in the interview emerged when Lil Wayne discussed the competitive essence of hip-hop, harking back to the era of 'battle rap.' Recounting the times when rap was not just a genre but a battlefield of lyrical prowess, he painted a vivid picture of artists standing in a circle, engaging in verbal combat.
Drawing a parallel to the comedic nature of roasting in stand-up comedy, Lil Wayne highlighted how Eminem, an amazing force in battle rap, could dismantle opponents with clever and sharp-witted verses.
“Battle rap was the same. You got these people. They standing in the circle and you know…Eminem might take your head off about something you felt great about yourself in the mirror before you got there, you know, and then they come back and do the same. So, that was an art form. They had people that, to this day, there’s battle raps that went down and they are not filmed, they aren’t recorded and there are legends come out of that because of that. We don’t have that no more. I was around during that.”
“Eminem might take your head off about something you felt great about yourself in the mirror before you got there” - Lil Wayne on Eminem as a battle rapper pic.twitter.com/b0o5zWkxCI
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Reflecting on the bygone era, Lil Wayne lamented the absence of the raw, unrecorded battle rap sessions that once birthed legends within the genre. He emphasized the lost art form and the significance it held in shaping the careers of many artists, including Eminem.
"I was around during that," Lil Wayne reminisced, underscoring a sense of nostalgia for the competitive spirit that fueled the early days of hip-hop. The interview not only provided a glimpse into Lil Wayne's vast experiences and multifaceted career but also served as a poignant reflection on the dynamic evolution of both the music and sports industries.