He “Dropped the World,” stayed “Right Above It” and showed us “How to Love,” but most importantly, Lil Wayne crafted memorable explicit lyrics that made us all feel a sense of accomplishment upon memorizing.
Lil Wayne has been rapping since 1996. That’s right, his rap career has been around for longer than I’ve been alive. Lil Wayne was the rapper of all rappers in his prime, contributing to his current $150 million net worth.
Wayne has been flying under the radar for about a year, which was when his last studio album “Free Weezy Album” and his mixtape “No Ceilings 2” came out. But after several featuring roles at music festivals and concerts, Wayne recently took to Twitter when he casually announced: “I AM NOW DEFENSELESS AND mentally DEFEATED & I leave gracefully and thankful I luh my fanz but I’m dun.”
Lil Wayne’s career has experienced a few bumps in the road. Disputes with artist Birdman over money were reported as “Tha Carter V” album was being developed, and Wayne broke off his relationship with his label “Cash Money” and the relationship with the man who once thought of him as a son. In 2015 Wayne sued Cash Money for $51 million on account of Birdman withholding the album. After dropping the label, Wayne fully committed to Young Money, which took off in 2005 and features artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake.
If that dilemma hadn’t been enough, Wayne also suffered multiple health scares throughout his career rattling up social media each time. His health required multiple emergency plane landings when he reportedly experienced seizures while up in the air. Before his manager confirmed anything, rumors were spread that Wayne was dead in February 2016. That was quickly cleared up, but the severity of two episodes in the same month was complete when he stated he could’ve died in the hospital after such violent seizures. Thankfully Wayne’s health conditions are monitored more closely, hopefully ensuring the 33-year-old rapper lives a long life.
Even though he is still scheduled to perform a few times this year, his fans weren’t happy to hear about the rapper’s possible retirement. Wayne acknowledged the uproar he caused in the Twittersphere and sent out, “ain’t lookin for sympathy, just serenity” and “I’m good y’all don’t trip” to calm his fans down.
Following the announcement, rappers like Drake and Young Thug have expressed their gratitude for Wayne as a role model and leader of Young Money, which only makes these retirement rumors seem more real despite accusations of it all being a myth.
Retirement or not, Weezy will go out a legend. Two decades of rapping seems to take the cake, and if it turns out to be a myth, he has a solid fan base awaiting his return.
