The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive,” Dwayne “Lil’ Wayne” Carter Jr., is leaving the rap game to take a stab at rock ‘n’ roll. Lil’ Wayne’s rock debut, “Rebirth,” is slated for release June 9 after being pushed back twice from its original April 7 release date.
The New Orleans native from the poverty stricken Hollygrove neighborhood is known for being fixated on becoming the best rapper in history. Now, he’s reportedly finished with rapping.
Lil’ Wayne’s first rock single “Prom Queen,” is now available on iTunes but will fans support the crossover rock album?
“Prom Queen,” which features the fireman singing only with the help of auto-tune, is a rock flavored single infused with an erratic guitar and heavy metal drums.
“She’s popular with all the guys, so innocent in my eye. I could see her in my life. She would’ve had the world if she was mine,” Lil’ Wayne sings.
Stephen Miller, a junior graph design major and fan of Lil’ Wayne, recently heard “Prom Queen” for the first time.
“Him wanting to do rock is not him really thinking he can do rock with true musical talent,” Miller said. “It’s a publicity stunt — I just think he wants some attention.”
The tattoo covered, ultra confident, raspy voiced 26-year old boasts 6 million album sales throughout his 13-year career.
His 2008 album, “The Carter III,” sold 1 million copies in its first week. He went on to become the top-selling artist of 2008 in addition to nabbing four Grammys at this year’s ceremony, including the Best Rap Album for “The Carter III.”
Lil’ Wayne has undoubtedly become a corner stone in the hip-hop community. But will he be able to continue his success with such a bold career move?
Lydia Samuels, a radio, television and film major, said she thinks fans will support the musical giant indefinitely.
“People will download his album because of his stardom. They’re going to represent him because he’s Lil’ Wayne and he’s at his prime,” Samuels said. “I don’t think what he’s doing is new. It’s definitely been done before by Run DMC and Aerosmith.”
Some students are offended by Lil’ Wayne’s crossover attempt. James “JC” Durrah, a junior broadcast major, is one of them.
“People are really going to buy into this [expletive] because they like Lil’ Wayne, and they’re not even going to take into consideration that he’s perverting a genre,” said Durrah, a singer, songwriter and vocal arranger.
“I don’t like it at all. For him to just to wake up one day and do a rock album is not okay. I feel disrespected as a musician. He’s just putting it out here like anything goes.”
Lil’ Wayne began his music career when he was discovered by the CEO of Cash Money Records, Brian “Birdman” Williams. In 1993, Lil’ Wayne joined forces with fellow Cash Money Records rapper BG releasing the album, “True Stories.”
Four years later, Lil’ Wayne became a part of the New Orleans rap group, “The Hot Boys.”
The group released the album, “Get it How U Live.” He continued to produce multiple certified gold albums until releasing the platinum-selling album, “The Carter” which marked the beginning of Lil’ Wayne’s explosive rise to stardom.
For more information about “Rebirth” or Lil’ Wayne visit http://www.cashmoney-records.com” www.cashmoney-records.com.
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