Cash Money

Lil Wayne Celebrates His Expansive Catalog With “I Am Music” Compilation

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With a career that spans nearly three decades, Lil Wayne is a definitive artist in pop culture as a whole. From his days of carving out the Cash Money legacy with the Hot Boyz to a flourishing solo career that broke records and influenced a generation, it’s impossible to deny what Lil Wayne brought to the table. However, in recent months, his status as an icon has come into question. When he didn’t land at #1 on the now-infamous Top 50 Greatest Rappers list, he made it clear that he earned that spot with his DMX-assisted single, “Kant Nobody“.

However, as we approach the sixth installment in Tha Carter series, Lil Wayne came through with a surprise drop, I Am Music. His first real compilation project celebrates his expansive career, specifically within the last 20 years. Lil Wayne’s “greatest hits” go as far back as Tha Carter and include records as recent as Tha Carter V (i.e. “Mona Lisa ft. Kendrick Lamar). Additionally, I Am Music includes massive collaborations with Drake, Eminem (via Rebirth), Jay-Z, Detail, and more.

Lil Wayne’s Greatest Hits

The release of I Am Music comes on the cusp of something big. Lil Wayne hasn’t confirmed a release date for Tha Carter VI, though the pre-save link went live last summer after announcing the project at OVO Fest. But in the months that followed, Weezy didn’t provide much of an update on when we could expect it. However, he’s currently ramping up for the upcoming Welcome To Tha Carter tour which will find him performing in significantly smaller venues than expected. The intimate setting seems to relate to the release of I Am Music and provides day-one fans of Lil Wayne with an up-close-and-personal experience.

It seems as though we could expect Lil Wayne to bank off of nostalgia in the next little while. The rapper brought his iconic No Ceilings mixtape to streaming services last year. However, DJ Drama recently confirmed that Lil Wayne’s Dedication 2 will follow suit. The Gangsta Grillz founder, who just released his new project, I’m Really Like That, recently confirmed that the second installment in the Dedication series will also hit DSPs in the near future. No timeline of when that will be but at least, one of Lil Wayne’s greatest pieces of work will be widely available in the future. 

“I Am Music” Tracklist

  1. Kant Nobody (feat. DMX)
  2. Lollipop (feat. Static Major)
  3. A Milli
  4. Love Me (feat. Drake & Future)
  5. 6 Foot 7 Foot (feat. Cory Gunz)
  6. How To Love
  7. Right Above It (feat. Drake)
  8. Drop The World (feat. Eminem)
  9. She Will (feat. Drake)
  10. Mirror (feat. Bruno Mars)
  11. Mrs. Officer (feat. Bobby V & Kidd Kidd)
  12. Blunt Blowin
  13. Mona Lisa (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
  14. No Worries (feat. Detail)
  15. Uproar (feat. Swizz Beatz)
  16. Fireman
  17. Go DJ
  18. Mr. Carter (feat. JAY-Z)

Joey Bada$$ Wanted To Sign To Young Money

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When discussing some of the most iconic hip-hop labels, so many hopeful rappers dream to one day sign with them. That happened to Joey Bada$$, who recently revealed he wanted to sign to Young Money as a kid. Moreover, the media asked him about his love for Lil Wayne at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective’s Global Impact Awards. Furthermore, Baller Alert asked Joey, “Do you prefer Young Money or Cash Money Lil Wayne?” Furthermore, the New York MC adamantly sided with Weezy’s own imprint. “Young Money,” he responded.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 04: (EDITORS NOTE: Image is captured with an on-lens filter) Joey Bada$$ performs at Metropolis Fremantle on January 04, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/WireImage)

“Because that YMCMB one is crazy,” he continued. “I wanted to be singed to Young Money, fun fact. When I was a kid, word… Yeah, I was with the smoke.” Furthermore, Joey’s talents found another home, but it’s been nothing short of a blessing. For over a decade, Joey stood and still stands as one of the game’s top lyricists and most respected artists. Moreover, his 2022 album 2000 garnered much critical acclaim and commercial success. While it didn’t get a Grammy nomination, it stood as one of the year’s lyrical highlights. Also, it’s a testament to the longevity of Joey’s career, pen, and perspective as a hip-hop leader.

Meanwhile, Young Money is one of the most successful and iconic imprints in recent memory. As an offshoot of Cash Money Records, it cemented Lil Wayne’s influence and contributed to the careers of Drake, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, and many more. Most recently, Tunechi said that its best competition is actually Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records. As unlikely as it is, the teased Verzuz battle would be an absolute treat to witness.

Still, if you’re hungry for more Young Money, many of its newest roster released the “Bars on I-95” freestyle just a couple of months ago. While Weezy and Joey walk pretty distinct and differing artistic paths, the lineage between them is well-rooted. Wayne climbed to the top of the world through the skill of his punchlines, lyricism, and one-of-a-kind personality. Much in the same way, Joey’s reputation precedes him in conversations around the best in hip-hop today. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Joey Bada$$, Young Money, and interesting what-ifs in the game.

Birdman & Juvenile Represent On “Ali”

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Birdman and Juvenile reconnected this week to deliver some new heat paying homage to one of the greatest boxers of all time. The Cash Money co-founder and the Hot Boy alumni joined forces for their new song, “Ali.” The record serves as a tribute to Muhammad Ali as Birdman and Juvenile compare their greatness to the late boxer. The smooth production — handled by D-Roc and twoprxducers — and melodious vocal performance make for an excellent return for J.A.G. In the video, they bring fans back to NOLA while also reflecting on humble beginnings and overcoming adversity. “Ali” is truly a motivational single that captures the excellent chemistry between Birdman and Juvenile after all these years.

Birdman and Juvenile joined forces as J.A.G in 2019 for their joint project, Just Another Gangsta. The collaborative outing contained 12 songs in total with a sole feature coming from NLE Choppa. Hopefully, a new project from the two arrives sooner rather than later.

Birdman hasn’t necessarily released a ton of music but he has delivered a handful of collabs. He teamed up with Quavo and Takeoff on “Big Stunna” off of Only Built For Infinity Links. Prior to that, he assisted rising Louisiana rapper Rob49 on “Hustler’s Anthem V2.”

Though Juvenile hasn’t released a ton of music in recent years, he did inspire one of the biggest artists of 2021. NBA Youngboy paid tribute to Juvenile’s 400 Degreez album art with the artwork for 3800 Degrees.

Hopefully, new music from J.A.G comes soon. We’re also hopeful that Juvenile will deliver even more solo music in 2023.

Check the single below.

Quotable Lyrics
N***a be begging, ain’t no limit to what n***as ask
We open gate, it ain’t no flood, we will pay it back
We get it back, little one fried, we’ll pay it back
She want me buy the crib, n***a, so I did that