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Originally posted by ExCluWeeZy
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Can someone copy and paste it please? I'm at work and that site has too much shit going on...
Originally posted by DMC927
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SPOILERGet over being rich.
Money has always been a dominant theme in Lil Wayne's music, but his relentless lust for it is also what's driven him to acquire so much of it that he's become completely complacent. When MTV asked Wayne about Drake's Take Care sales last November, his response was: "We rich as shit, so numbers and record sales don't matter to none of us."
That's fine. "Money On My Mind" is probably his best song ever, but listen to the haters, Weezy. Ignoring sales figures is one thing, but Wayne uses that same rationale to dismiss critical observations, and he needs to understand how drastically the conversation surrounding his work has changed. Public opinion moved from "best rapper alive" in 2008 to top YouTube comments like "Lil Wayne sucks" in 2012, all the while his net worth has only increased.
If Wayne would stop using his wealth as a crutch and realize that lackluster output is tarnishing his legacy, maybe he'd be motivated to do better.
SPOILER
Take a break.
Rap's ridiculous cycle of consumption makes us think that artists must always be creating, but that's simply not the case. Sure, a break means that Lil Wayne would be forgotten about to some degree, but the certain success of his protégés Drake and Nicki Minaj means he will always be a factor.
Time off for Wayne would likely lead to new inspiration and a less mechanical recording process. Fiona Apple just took a seven year break between albums and is back with new, highly-acclaimed work. Weezy should consider making us miss him and do the same.SPOILER
Stop recording guest verses for everyone.
When Kanye West hopped on Wayne's "Lollipop" remix, he rapped, "You ain't finna murder me like everybody else." He didn't get murdered either, but the line alone meant one thing: Weezy's reputation preceded him.
Around that time, Wayne was toying with the nickname, Featuring Lil Wayne, and it was because he was making guest appearances for everyone from Enrique Iglesias to Outkast, and showing up legends like Andre 3000 in the process. Fast forward a few years, and what was once Wayne's calling card has become a punchline.
Even if you drunkenly rap along to his forgettable verse on French Montana's "Pop That," you know it isn't his best. Then there are truly poor guest spots like the one on Juicy J's "Bands A Make Her Dance" remix that are simply inexcusable.
Wayne's name is still a big draw for features, and he probably still gets a nice check for it, but either he find some of his old competitive spirit, work with artists like Drake who he still meshes well with, or turn the feature money down and save himself the embarrassment.SPOILER
Get rid of the "Yes" men.
There was a time when Lil Wayne didn't need editors. When he would lock himself in a studio for overnight sessions in the mid-00s, just about everything he produced was gold. Even when it was bad, it was still pretty amazing. ("Time For Us To Fuck," anyone?)
Now? Not so much. Wayne clearly doesn't have the Midas touch anymore. No one does forever, and that's okay because he's still an extremely talented rapper. Wayne and the people surrounding him just need to realize that the bright moments don't come as easily anymore. Instead of a benevolent dictatorship, Wayne should consider the group source approach that's afforded Kanye West so much success on recent projects. If someone was brave enough to tell him when lines and verses underwhelm, without stunting his range of creativity, the results would be outstanding.SPOILER
Actually learn how to play guitar.
Rebirth wasn't that bad, if you're partial to the type of TRL-era Blink 182 pop-punk that he was emulating. Obviously, many aren't, but for some, there's merit to that type of music and Lil Wayne has a decent grasp on the sensibilities surrounding it. A lot of songs on Weezy's experimental rock album are incredibly well written, too. Lines like, "If I fall, I fall up and let the clouds hug me/And if I fall down, I bet I hit the ground running" are not run of the mill. It's the production that killed that album.
The "rock" sound manufactured by producers like J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Cool & Dre was too brash for most ears, and it's understandable. However, with Rebirth 2 allegedly in the works, Wayne should consider taking the time to hone his guitar skills and put out an album that shocks critics and forces a certain level of respect. No one is expecting Weezy to become Eric Clapton overnight, but he is capable of a project like Kid Cudi's WZRD, which will go down as more a cult favorite, statement album than a completely misguided musical catastrophe.SPOILER
Compete in the X Games.
If rap is so boring and all Wayne cares about is skateboarding, as rap fans, we need to see some proof that this isn't a trite hobby, and YouTube videos aren't enough. Wayne does actually skate better than most people give him credit for, but more is necessary to validate his new obsession to listeners.
If Wayne could show the world that his shift in focus hasn't been a waste and validate it with a credible accomplishment in the world of skating, a lot of heat would come off of him, even if it meant less music.SPOILER
Write his lyrics down.
It worked for T.I. on Paper Trail. Right after TIP released his Carter IV of albums, T.I. vs. TIP, he started physically writing lyrics and released the biggest album of his career. Wayne wrote in prison, but it's obvious that he's back to his "punch me in at each bar," free associative, stream of consciousness rhyme style and it's simply less exciting and efficient these days.
Writing lyrics down could help Wayne focus and organize his thoughts, and if he's too busy skateboarding, at least pull out the notepads from prison. That "Light Up" verse was pretty good.SPOILER
Stop making sequels.
Lil Wayne began his current run as one of rap's elite with Tha Carter, which, at the time, was a new series and a fresh idea. Eight years later and he's bogged down with multiple entries in Tha Carter series (four albums with plans for a fifth), the Dedication series (fourth entry on the way), and sequels to I Am Not A Human Being and Rebirth being discussed.
Given that the last entries into all of these series were not particularly well received, it may be a better idea to start anew. Simply ridding himself of the creative energy and stigma of those tired franchises could mean a world of improvement for Weezy. Let's reboot The Lil Wayne Rap Project, word to The Amazing Spider-Man.SPOILER
Get back on drugs.
It's no secret that during Wayne's peak he was usually stoned out of his mind. It'd be unfortunate if he had to return to borderline addict behavior to produce a substantial amount of quality material again, but it's a thought. If the music hasn't improved by the time he's off probation in 2013, someone have a blunt and cup of lean waiting for this guy at the studio. Please.SPOILER
Make more personal songs.
Lil Wayne's best work in the past two years has all dealt with personal subject matter, sex and love, specifically. Whether that's his singles "I'm Single" and "She Will" or guest appearances on Drake's "HYFR" and Kelly Rowland's "Motivation." The left-field freestyle similes don't hit as hard as they used to, but Wayne's observations on lust and relationships? Poignant as ever.
No more surface level boasts about having three girls suck your dick, Weezy. Let's work towards philosophical examinations about those girls sucking your dick and what it means for your life and theirs. You know, the way you used to do on songs like "Pussy Money Weed" and um, "Pussy Monster."SPOILER
Record an album with Drake.
Since "Ransom" in 2008, Lil Wayne hasn't recorded one bad song with Drake. Clearly YMCMB's golden boy is a positive influence on Wayne and challenges him to perform his best, so take advantage of that. The two have mulled over and even publicly discussed the idea of a collaborative, Watch The Throne-style album, but it needs to be a priority, especially for Wayne. It doesn't hurt that Drake is always pushed to impress when alongside his mentor.
I Am Not A Human Being was trashed, but "Right Above It" with Drake was a triumph and their collab "Gonorrhea" was quietly awesome. That same year, Wayne floated all over Drizzy's "Miss Me." DJ Khaled put them together on "I'm On One" and the results were stellar. Last year's "The Motto" and "HYFR" are Drake songs that feature some of Wayne's best recent work. See a trend here?SPOILER
Start recording more.
Lil Wayne's recording process used to be a game of odds. He recorded so much, that even with an occasional misfire, there was still plenty of treasure to sift through. That work ethic made him the rapper he is today, and it's simply absent now.
Surely Weezy is still being solicited great beats from top producers. If he could take a break from the half pipe at least a few times a week and spend those precious hours working on music, he'd be statistically inclined to produce better records. It seems like rap has been reduced to a job for Wayne, where as it was once his passion. Re-familiarizing himself with the studio and allowing the time to let that creativity pour out again could be the answer to his problems.
Money has always been a dominant theme in Lil Wayne's music, but his relentless lust for it is also what's driven him to acquire so much of it that he's become completely complacent. When MTV asked Wayne about Drake's Take Care sales last November, his response was: "We rich as shit, so numbers and record sales don't matter to none of us."
That's fine. "Money On My Mind" is probably his best song ever, but listen to the haters, Weezy. Ignoring sales figures is one thing, but Wayne uses that same rationale to dismiss critical observations, and he needs to understand how drastically the conversation surrounding his work has changed. Public opinion moved from "best rapper alive" in 2008 to top YouTube comments like "Lil Wayne sucks" in 2012, all the while his net worth has only increased.
If Wayne would stop using his wealth as a crutch and realize that lackluster output is tarnishing his legacy, maybe he'd be motivated to do better.
SPOILER
Take a break.
Rap's ridiculous cycle of consumption makes us think that artists must always be creating, but that's simply not the case. Sure, a break means that Lil Wayne would be forgotten about to some degree, but the certain success of his protégés Drake and Nicki Minaj means he will always be a factor.
Time off for Wayne would likely lead to new inspiration and a less mechanical recording process. Fiona Apple just took a seven year break between albums and is back with new, highly-acclaimed work. Weezy should consider making us miss him and do the same.SPOILER
Stop recording guest verses for everyone.
When Kanye West hopped on Wayne's "Lollipop" remix, he rapped, "You ain't finna murder me like everybody else." He didn't get murdered either, but the line alone meant one thing: Weezy's reputation preceded him.
Around that time, Wayne was toying with the nickname, Featuring Lil Wayne, and it was because he was making guest appearances for everyone from Enrique Iglesias to Outkast, and showing up legends like Andre 3000 in the process. Fast forward a few years, and what was once Wayne's calling card has become a punchline.
Even if you drunkenly rap along to his forgettable verse on French Montana's "Pop That," you know it isn't his best. Then there are truly poor guest spots like the one on Juicy J's "Bands A Make Her Dance" remix that are simply inexcusable.
Wayne's name is still a big draw for features, and he probably still gets a nice check for it, but either he find some of his old competitive spirit, work with artists like Drake who he still meshes well with, or turn the feature money down and save himself the embarrassment.SPOILER
Get rid of the "Yes" men.
There was a time when Lil Wayne didn't need editors. When he would lock himself in a studio for overnight sessions in the mid-00s, just about everything he produced was gold. Even when it was bad, it was still pretty amazing. ("Time For Us To Fuck," anyone?)
Now? Not so much. Wayne clearly doesn't have the Midas touch anymore. No one does forever, and that's okay because he's still an extremely talented rapper. Wayne and the people surrounding him just need to realize that the bright moments don't come as easily anymore. Instead of a benevolent dictatorship, Wayne should consider the group source approach that's afforded Kanye West so much success on recent projects. If someone was brave enough to tell him when lines and verses underwhelm, without stunting his range of creativity, the results would be outstanding.SPOILER
Actually learn how to play guitar.
Rebirth wasn't that bad, if you're partial to the type of TRL-era Blink 182 pop-punk that he was emulating. Obviously, many aren't, but for some, there's merit to that type of music and Lil Wayne has a decent grasp on the sensibilities surrounding it. A lot of songs on Weezy's experimental rock album are incredibly well written, too. Lines like, "If I fall, I fall up and let the clouds hug me/And if I fall down, I bet I hit the ground running" are not run of the mill. It's the production that killed that album.
The "rock" sound manufactured by producers like J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Cool & Dre was too brash for most ears, and it's understandable. However, with Rebirth 2 allegedly in the works, Wayne should consider taking the time to hone his guitar skills and put out an album that shocks critics and forces a certain level of respect. No one is expecting Weezy to become Eric Clapton overnight, but he is capable of a project like Kid Cudi's WZRD, which will go down as more a cult favorite, statement album than a completely misguided musical catastrophe.SPOILER
Compete in the X Games.
If rap is so boring and all Wayne cares about is skateboarding, as rap fans, we need to see some proof that this isn't a trite hobby, and YouTube videos aren't enough. Wayne does actually skate better than most people give him credit for, but more is necessary to validate his new obsession to listeners.
If Wayne could show the world that his shift in focus hasn't been a waste and validate it with a credible accomplishment in the world of skating, a lot of heat would come off of him, even if it meant less music.SPOILER
Write his lyrics down.
It worked for T.I. on Paper Trail. Right after TIP released his Carter IV of albums, T.I. vs. TIP, he started physically writing lyrics and released the biggest album of his career. Wayne wrote in prison, but it's obvious that he's back to his "punch me in at each bar," free associative, stream of consciousness rhyme style and it's simply less exciting and efficient these days.
Writing lyrics down could help Wayne focus and organize his thoughts, and if he's too busy skateboarding, at least pull out the notepads from prison. That "Light Up" verse was pretty good.SPOILER
Stop making sequels.
Lil Wayne began his current run as one of rap's elite with Tha Carter, which, at the time, was a new series and a fresh idea. Eight years later and he's bogged down with multiple entries in Tha Carter series (four albums with plans for a fifth), the Dedication series (fourth entry on the way), and sequels to I Am Not A Human Being and Rebirth being discussed.
Given that the last entries into all of these series were not particularly well received, it may be a better idea to start anew. Simply ridding himself of the creative energy and stigma of those tired franchises could mean a world of improvement for Weezy. Let's reboot The Lil Wayne Rap Project, word to The Amazing Spider-Man.SPOILER
Get back on drugs.
It's no secret that during Wayne's peak he was usually stoned out of his mind. It'd be unfortunate if he had to return to borderline addict behavior to produce a substantial amount of quality material again, but it's a thought. If the music hasn't improved by the time he's off probation in 2013, someone have a blunt and cup of lean waiting for this guy at the studio. Please.SPOILER
Make more personal songs.
Lil Wayne's best work in the past two years has all dealt with personal subject matter, sex and love, specifically. Whether that's his singles "I'm Single" and "She Will" or guest appearances on Drake's "HYFR" and Kelly Rowland's "Motivation." The left-field freestyle similes don't hit as hard as they used to, but Wayne's observations on lust and relationships? Poignant as ever.
No more surface level boasts about having three girls suck your dick, Weezy. Let's work towards philosophical examinations about those girls sucking your dick and what it means for your life and theirs. You know, the way you used to do on songs like "Pussy Money Weed" and um, "Pussy Monster."SPOILER
Record an album with Drake.
Since "Ransom" in 2008, Lil Wayne hasn't recorded one bad song with Drake. Clearly YMCMB's golden boy is a positive influence on Wayne and challenges him to perform his best, so take advantage of that. The two have mulled over and even publicly discussed the idea of a collaborative, Watch The Throne-style album, but it needs to be a priority, especially for Wayne. It doesn't hurt that Drake is always pushed to impress when alongside his mentor.
I Am Not A Human Being was trashed, but "Right Above It" with Drake was a triumph and their collab "Gonorrhea" was quietly awesome. That same year, Wayne floated all over Drizzy's "Miss Me." DJ Khaled put them together on "I'm On One" and the results were stellar. Last year's "The Motto" and "HYFR" are Drake songs that feature some of Wayne's best recent work. See a trend here?SPOILER
Start recording more.
Lil Wayne's recording process used to be a game of odds. He recorded so much, that even with an occasional misfire, there was still plenty of treasure to sift through. That work ethic made him the rapper he is today, and it's simply absent now.
Surely Weezy is still being solicited great beats from top producers. If he could take a break from the half pipe at least a few times a week and spend those precious hours working on music, he'd be statistically inclined to produce better records. It seems like rap has been reduced to a job for Wayne, where as it was once his passion. Re-familiarizing himself with the studio and allowing the time to let that creativity pour out again could be the answer to his problems.
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