What makes a rapper legendary? It seems that this is a question that has been getting thrown around the Fro a lot as of late. Someone made the point that it takes at least one classic album. Is that really true? Does Run DMC really have a classic? What about Pac? What about Lil Wayne? Regardless on my feelings of Lil Waynes discography, many will argue Wayne hasn’t dropped a classic. Many will say that the Birdman Jr. is not the type of Emcee who should be respected as a top tier artist. Now we all know Wayne, and his crew, have helped change the game in the past 5-6 years. I often compare Wayne to a young Jay-Z. I said this one time and people went crazy. Some feel that the only way Wayne is even similar to Hov is their last names. Think about it, Wayne boosted into the stardom and turned around and put his team on, who also has had unbelievable success. Jay-Z did the same thing in the 90’s. I am getting off subject a little. This piece is suppose to go over Wayne’s discography, albums as well as mixtapes. Lets get into it.
Get It How You Live It (1997)
At this point Wayne played his position. He was the creative kid who made sounds, and often found himself on the hooks. Still something about him stood out.
Guerilla Warfare (1999 – US Platinum)
This album may have gained Weezy enough popularity to lead Baby to give him a solo album. One of the highlights of this album was Wayne’s solo “Clear Tha Set”.
The Block is Hot (1999 – US Platinum)
This is Wayne’s intro to the world as a solo artist. He was already known for his work with The Hot Boys and with each artist individually. Here is where we see the star like quality Wayne possess though. He was by no means the most lyrical rapper out, but amongst his peers, Bow Wow, Zhane,and all the other “Teeni Rappers” at that time, he was the standout. I remember once I was at a magazine store and the cover had Lil Zhane, Lil Bow Wow, and Nelly with the words “Hip Hops Future.” How wrong was that magazine?
Lights Out (2000 – US Gold)
This album was recorded during a time of turmoil. The Cash Money crew was about to break up and Wayne knew it. The crew tried to put on a front like everything was OK but it clearly wasn’t. Wayne definitely showed growth on this album. Although you could see Wayne had improved on his lyricism, he still had along way to go.
500 Degrees (2002 – US Gold)
This was recorded at the lowest part of Wayne’s life thus far. The Hot Boys were over, and all of the pressure was on Wayne to be the star of Cash Money. This album was a mirror of his new anxiety.
Let Em Burn (2003)
This album was forced. The group had already disbanded and Cash Money took a lot of old songs and called them an album.
SQ1-7
I grouped these together, because honestly they have a lot of repeat songs on the cds. Wayne does show glimpses of greatness on these tapes though.
Da Drought (2003)
After a disappointing outing with 500 Degrees, Wayne starts off his mixtape grind. We were clueless to how much work Wayne had planned.
Da Drought 2 (2004)
Weezy F. takes shots at NaS and 50, but the rest of the tape is easily forgettable.
The Prefix (2004)
This is the Tape where, in my opinion, Wayne finds himself. It is also quite obvious Jay-Z is his favorite rapper with mostly Hov Beats to rap over.
Tha Carter (2004 – US Gold)
This was Weezy’s coming out party. Songs like “Go Dj” and “BMJR” showed lyrical growth, along with an unbelievable swagger. This woke up the nation, and almost led to Wayne signing with Rocafella.
Dedication (2006)
Right after Tha Carter, Wayne gets together with DJ Drama to drop the world a jewel. This tape is dope.
The Suffix (2005)
Wayne decides to get with Khaled and drop the follow up to The Prefix. This tape along with Dedication is also intended to show off new artist Curren$y and Mack Maine.
Tha Carter II (2005 – US Platinum)
Although many people will question if this album is classic or not, to me it definitely is! Wayne had already proclaimed to be the best, and this album made many a believer. His selection of raw, untamed beats with sizzling rhymes makes this arguably Wayne’s best album yet.
Dedication 2 (2006)
I said C2 was a classic, well so is D2. This tape has Wayne going in. Drama picked a great group of beats to let Wayne shine on. His ambitions and spitter are incredible.
Blow I Can’t Feel My Face Prequel with Juelz Santana (2006)
Before this I had no idea Santana had the ability to keep up with Wayne. Both had some nice verses. Ultimately, this album only makes us Hip Hop lovers mad that I Can’t Feel My Face isn’t coming.
Like Father, Like Son with Birdman (2006 – US Gold)
Okay! I can’t deny some of the things these two do together are a little skeptical (Wayne smooching Baby jokes inserted here) but this album had some great material. “Army Gunz” showed that Wayne still can get better.
Lil Weezyana (2006)
This is Wayne’s most slept on mixtape. There are tracks where he makes you forget that the project was intended to give his artists shine.
Da Drought 3 (2007)
Wayne decides to finish the Drought trilogy with a double disc filled with witty lyrics, slick punch lines, and classic material.
The Leak Ep (2007)
Wayne picked five songs that were originally slated to be on C3 that leaked onto this Ep.
Tha Carter III (2008 – US Platinum 3x)
No lie, this album was kind of disappointing even with crazy sales records. There are two big reasons for this. First off, the anticipation was so sky high, there was almost no way Weezy F. could accomplish this tall order. Secondly, Wayne’s camp had more leak, than Timberlands camp. Jerm and I discussed this a while ago, that had those songs not leaked, Wayne may have had a classic.
Dedication 3 (2008)
This was the first official tape since the majority of his music was leaked from Tha Carter III. He had seemingly gave up on the mixtape grind, but Barrack O’ Drama talked him into giving the people what they wanted…sort of. Wayne was on Auto-Tune overdrive at this point and it hurt this project.
We Are Young Money with Young Money (2009 – US Gold)
This was a nice way for Wayne to shine light on the rest of the crew. Although he sometimes steals the show, there are still opportunities for the rest of the crew to shine.
No Ceilings (2009)
Classic! If you didn’t think Wayne brought it on this tape, you’re just a hater.
Rebirth (2010 – US Gold)
He thought, “I live like a rock star, why can’t I make Rock music.” This had an unbelievable song in “Drop the World” but the rest were average at best.
I Am Not A Human Being (2010 – US Gold)
Okay on first listen, I thought this was terrible. After letting it ride out though, I noticed the worst part of this album (which should be considered an Ep) is the song placement. Wayne had some jewels on here.
Now With Tha Carter IV on the way, how should Wayne approach it? Should he focus on making a CLASSIC album? No! Wayne has plenty of classic material: Tha Carter II, Dedication2, and Da Drought 3. I feel like Tha Carter IV may very well be the most important project of Waynes career. Remember, Wayne should have matured enough to speak on multiple subjects. Hopefully Wayne can put out a really good piece of work and this album doesn’t turn into No Mercy by T.I.!