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I am privileged to present an AMA featuring the legendary Professor Kreston Kent. He is the author of *The Literary Genius of Lil Wayne: To be counted among Shakespeare and Dylan*, and is a must-read for Wayne fans of any caliber. The book dives into the specific literary elements and structures Wayne uses to employ his craft throughout his catalogue. Since Lil Wayne doesn't write, this is definitive evidence documenting what Wayne refuses to write: lyrical brilliance.
Prof. Kent's intellect shines throughout the work, teaching what is easily missable without the text or know-how. His approach doesn't have an "academic" attitude, but each page is enlightening. When inquired about an AMA, he was kind, humble, and more than willing to field our curiosities. Please find a way to support him by buying his book and checking out his other projects after you read.
Enjoy.
Waynespeare
What are your personal Wayne favorites: Album, Mixtape, Song, and/or verse?
Prof. Kent
Top of mind:
FWA, Carter V, Dedication 6, No Ceilings, No Ceilings 3, Funeral, Sorry 4 the Wait 2
London Roads, Fly Away, No Type, Mama Mia, Peanut Butter, Coco, Hot Nigga, Street Chains, Watch My Shoes, Don't Kill, 9MM
Waynespeare
What first influenced you to sit down and write about Wayne, and how did it turn into a full fledged book?
Prof. Kent
Frustration he wasn’t getting his due in terms of serious analysis.
Waynespeare
How long did it take for you to research and write your book? Does updating your books have the same rigor?
Prof. Kent
7 years of research. 5 days of writing. Updates are harder in a way. The first edition flowed out. Updates are more methodical.
Waynespeare
Why didn’t Tha Carter 2 make your final list of, “Album and Mixtape Rankings” at the end of your book? It is often boasted as one of his greats, especially from a lyrical standpoint.
Prof. Kent
Rhymes are almost all only 2 syllables. Just doesn’t have what later work has in terms of what I look for and write about in the book.
Waynespeare
Is there anything in particular that you cut from the book that you would be willing to share with us?
Prof. Kent
Nothing was cut.
Waynespeare
You mention that Wayne is the king of puns. Which is your favorite and/or most impressive pun by Lil Wayne?
Prof. Kent
Thinking about puns, I went to dedication five, where I think the most puns are per line/per song. Some highlights:
Levels, “everything I do I plan it out like a solar system”
Fucking Problems, “one-man band all you hear is repercussions”
Don’t Kill, “cocaine like cold cripple”
Also from the same song [Don’t Kill], “if she love me, I’m gonna love her back”
You have to follow the line before it to notice that one.
These are just arbitrary samples and I wouldn’t say they’re the best ones, but they are representative of the phase during which he was most pun-heavy
Waynespeare
How would you describe your routine/process of writing a book? Has it been different from book to book?
Prof. Kent
The first edition just poured out. Since then, efforts to structure more cleanly and fill out more details.
Each book builds up inside me til it pours out pretty fast. Then I try to pin it to a structure in editing.
Waynespeare
You’ve consistently updated your book throughout the years as Wayne released new projects. Any chance for an updated 5th edition of your book in the near future?
Prof. Kent
Yes there will be a 5th but not soon.
Waynespeare
What is your “instant skip” least favorite Wayne songs?
Prof. Kent
Anything before Tha Carter III.
And then the really bad stuff right after he got out of prison, especially features from that period.
Anything from IANAHB2
Waynespeare
Are you interested in writing a book like you did for Wayne, for a different musician?
Prof. Kent
Nobody else compares, so, no.
Waynespeare
Who are some other musicians you enjoy? What’s your current rotation look like?
Prof. Kent
Aaron Copland, Bach, Ani Difranco, and an Italian rapper called Shiva, who has a particularly beautiful line,
“le chiavi del cuore non hanno doppioni, quindi non ho altri opzioni”
The keys to your heart don’t have copies, so I don’t have another option.
Waynespeare
Ice Spice: Yay or Nay?
Prof. Kent
Nay.
Waynespeare
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet or talk to Wayne, and if so, can you share that experience?
Prof. Kent
Talked with Cortez in person and set up an interview with me and Wayne that was going to be filmed in hologram for Alki David’s production company but at the last minute Cortez and Wayne’s side ghosted when the studio had been rented, custom props built, stage crew hired, etc. It was disappointing.
Waynespeare
What are your current ventures? Can you share any exclusives with us?
Prof. Kent
I’m all over the place: Apple Watch cases (“TILT”), competitive swim training apps, my own music, poetry.
Waynespeare
Any thoughts you're willing to share? Something you've learned from life? Something you learned from Wayne?
Prof. Kent
Do the things that only you can do. Find your unique niche.
Waynespeare
As the GOAT said himself, “Much love for Professor Kreston Kent!”
Drop your own questions in Professor Kent AMA Pt. 2! You can also dm me (Lil Waynespeare) directly.
Follow Professor Kreston Kent on Instagram @bridgertravels
Also check out @tiltcase and visit www.tilt.band
Buy his book at https://www.amazon.com/Literary-Geni.../dp/1502969874
Thank you for reading!
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