Lil Wayne ranked some of the top basketball players of all-time during his appearance on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All The Smoke podcast.
His choice was between LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan, to which he responded, “Bron, Mike and Kobe.”
From there, he went on to explain his decision behind the ranking.
“Bron, I don’t know Bron personally so my answer for Bron would be from afar,” Lil Wayne said, noting that he appreciated his stats. “My answer for Bron is on the court. Bron, you gotta remember, I know for a fact I loved Jordan for the way he always won. As a kid, you don’t know too much about the ins and outs of the game.
“I got old enough to know how hard it is to f*cking do it back-to-back-to-back,” he added, according to HipHopDX. “So that’s where he got his respect with me to and started getting his respect with me to where he’s the greatest.”
He continued to point out that he respected LeBron’s swap between three different teams over the championships.
“That’s right there, that’s when regardless he ain’t got six, but he done it with three different teams,” Wayne noted. “And not on one of those m*thaf*ckin’ teams did he play role two. That right there is what tipped him over the Jordan scale for me.”
As he finishes up the first year of his 40s, Lil Wayne looks to be feeling more confident in himself than ever before. It was just a few weeks ago when the Louisana native declared himself to be “the best rapper alive” during a performance. Elsewhere in 2023 we also saw him sit down with Missy Elliott, at which time he reflected on the earlier days of his career when he put out over 100 features in 2007 alone.
Back then, Weezy said he couldn’t switch to any radio station in the car without hearing one of his songs. “That was an amazing moment and an amazing time. I remember being able to get into my car and turn on the radio. I don’t care if I got the station wrong, could’ve switched to a pop station by mistake, I’m still on that motherf*cker!” he humble-bragged to Elliott during their chat. In his latest interview, this one with Rolling Stone, Wayne’s confident attitude continued to shine.
When asked about who his ideal Verzuz competitor is, the “How to Love” hitmaker made it clear that he’s not one for facing off against anyone but himself. “I was interested in Mixtape Weezy going against Lil Wayne,” he teased. “That would’ve been crazy,” the legendary lyricist added before confirming he meant he aspires to split his discography’s greatest hits in half between the two eras we’ve seen him deliver over the years. “What other artists you think?” Wayne asked the outlet.
“There ain’t no other artist that can stand on the stage next to me, bro,” he further declared. “I’m sorry.” As Complex notes, Weezy discussed another interesting idea for the singing competition show last November, suggesting that his Young Money roster could show out against a few Roc-A-Fella alumni in the future. Is there a rapper that you think could face off against Lil Wayne on Verzuz and win? Let us know in the comments, and read more from his Rolling Stone interview at the link below.
What happens in Las Vegas stays there. Well, unless it occurs on the stage of iHeartRadio’s annual music festival. iHeartRadio Music Festival 2023 will return to T-Mobile Arena on Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23. At the top of the lineup for this year’s festivities are rap bad boy, Lil Wayne, rock legends Foo Fighters, Emmy Award-winning talk show host Kelly Clarkson, and Fall Out Boy.
Other acts slated to perform at the festival include Kane Brown, Lenny Kravitz, Miguel, Public Enemy, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, TLC, and Thirty Seconds To Mars. The organizers have hinted on the event’s official flyer that there are still more featured performers to be announced at a later date.
Last year’s event featured appearances from Megan Thee Stallion, Halsey, and Luke Combs. If the festival follows its yearly tradition, fans who cannot attend in person might be able to rewatch it when it airs on television the following month.
The Capital One presale for iHeart Radio Music Festival 2023 begins on Wednesday, June 14, at 10 a.m. PT. The general public ticket sale will start on Friday, June 16, at 11 a.m. PT. Find more information here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
This August, Yankee Stadium will host Hip-Hop 50 Live, a star-studded concert paying homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. To call the lineup “star-studded” would be doing it an injustice; it’s fair to say that the names billed include nothing short of hip-hop legends. Headlined by rap pioneers Run-DMC, the lineup includes Common, Eve, Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Remy Ma, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Trina, and more.
Hip-hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz, Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Roxanne Shante will headline a Pillars of Hip-Hop set, while Eve, Kim, Remy, and Trina will front a Queens Of Hip-Hop set. DJs such as Battlecat, Clark Kent, Mannie Fresh, and Marley Marl will spin, as well.
The event is billed for August 11, 2023 — which is what’s remembered as hip-hop’s official 50th birthday, the anniversary of the Kool Herc-led block party widely recognized as the moment the culture officially gelled into the foundation of what came after. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 8.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Run said, “I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” while his partner-in-rhyme DMC added, “August is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So ’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!”
Metro Boomin’s last project, HEROES & VILLAINS, left the producer’s fans pleasantly surprised at the end of 2022. While many songs from that tracklist are still in rotation, he’s got even more in store for us this year. On Friday (June 2), Metro dropped off the accompanying soundtrack for the new Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse animated film. It found him linking up with some of his closest friends, as much of his best work does. Coi Leray let her confidence shine on “Self Love,” and 21 Savage joined forces with 2 Chainz and Don Toliver for “Givin’ Up (Not The One).”
Elsewhere on the 13-track effort, we hear from three lyrical legends – Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, and Offset – on the opening title, “Annihilate.” Coming in at nearly four minutes, the song finds each artist unleashing on-theme bars such as “Weezy Carter, I’m ’bout to go Peter Parker / I’m Spider-Man, if he ain’t me, he just a creepy crawler.”
Metro Boomin’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Soundtrack is Here
Other beloved rappers who aided Metro in his latest project include A$AP Rocky and Roisee on “Am I Dreaming,” Future and Lil Uzi Vert on “All The Way Live,” and Nas on “Nas Morales.” Elsewhere, James Blake, Wizkid, BEAM, Toian, NAV, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, and JID all contribute their talents too. On its own the soundtrack is impressive, but when paired with the latest installment in the superhero franchise, it only gets better.
Check out Lil Wayne, Swae Lee, and Offset’s joint effort with Metro Boomin for the new Spider-Man soundtrack above, or add the track to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. Do you have plans to watch the highly anticipated animated film this weekend? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more HNHH release recommendations.
Weezy Carter, I’m ’bout to go Peter Parker I’m Spider-Man, if he ain’t me, he just a creepy crawler Tunechi spark the lighter, pull up in a new Ferrari Spider Spider web necklace with the diamonds She’ll turn to Spider-Woman if I bite her
Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne have recently been expressing their admiration for each other. Lil Wayne has taken it a step further by presenting Missy with a special gift. On Friday (May 26), Missy Elliott shared on Twitter photos of the thoughtful present Wayne gave her. He gifted the iconic rapper a custom raincoat and a matching umbrella that pay tribute to Missy’s hit song, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” Missy expressed her gratitude to Lil Wayne on Twitter. “@LilTunechi, once again I thank you for the amazing coat that you had made for me (purple, my favorite color),” Missy Elliott said. “And you even got me the umbrella that says ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ on it! It spells it out on the umbrella when it rains. I truly appreciate you.”
In November, Lil Wayne surprised Missy Elliott by appearing at the unveiling of her wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas. In response, Missy showed her appreciation and love for Lil Wayne, acknowledging him as the one who paved the way for a whole generation of rappers that came after him. Missy took to Twitter to express her gratitude to Lil Wayne, stating, “@LilTunechi, you have birthed a whole generation after you, and it’s easy for people to recognize someone’s greatness when they are no longer around. But I want you to know that you are legendary. No matter what others may think, your blueprint is still present and undeniable. There is no debate about it.”
Timbaland and Missy Elliot during 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage for MTV.com)
Missy Elliott apparently developed a highly discerning approach to the production of her second album. According to an interview with Timbaland, Missy recognized the quality of the producer’s work but felt it didn’t align with her artistic vision. She expressed that it might be suitable for artists like JAY-Z or Ludacris, but she needed music that would inspire her to dance and envision captivating visuals for her audience. Timbaland acknowledged that this experience elevated his skills as an artist, stating that Missy prevented him from settling for anything less than exceptional. He further likened Missy’s work ethic to that of an NBA player, highlighting her unmatched dedication and preparation.
Missy was quick to respond to the interview on social media. She expressed her gratitude for the experience and called Timbaland a genius. “Awww @Timbaland I love you bro this interview made me tear up because of how far we come,” the rapper wrote. “BLESSED I knew from the day I came to your house after school that you would change the sound & cadence of music as we knew it multiple times! #genius I Thank you.” Of course, Missy just made history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. So, it looks like her tough demeanor paid off.
Brisco, real name British Alexander Mitchell, has carved out a noteworthy career in the music industry. From hit songs to a consistent presence on television, the LHHMIA (Love & Hip Hop: Miami) star has significantly contributed to the industry. But what is his net worth as a result of these efforts?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brisco’s net worth stands at around $1.5 million in 2023. This considerable wealth is the result of a successful career in the entertainment industry, primarily driven by music.
Brisco’s music has been instrumental in his wealth accumulation. He has captivated audiences with his lyrical prowess and distinctive sound. His mixtapes and features on hit tracks with artists like Lil Wayne have played a considerable role in bolstering his net worth.
Television Ventures And Partnerships
MIAMI – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Recording artists Baby Williams, Brisco, and Lil Wayne perform at the Second Annual Ozone Awards at the James L. Knight Center August 13, 2007 in Miami Florida. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
In addition to his music career, Brisco’s visibility and earnings have been enhanced through television. His stint on Love & Hip Hop: Miami has not only increased his fanbase but has also added a significant income stream to his portfolio.
Furthermore, Brisco’s collaborations and partnerships have had a positive impact on his net worth. Through his relationships within the industry, he has capitalized on numerous opportunities, further increasing his earnings.
The Financial Lessons from Brisco’s Journey
HALLANDALE, FL – AUGUST 17: Brisco performs at Gulfstream Park on August 17, 2013 in Hallandale, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images)
Brisco’s financial journey offers a unique perspective on wealth accumulation in the entertainment industry. His story illustrates the importance of diversifying income streams and remaining consistent in the face of industry challenges.
The Significance Of Brisco’s Net Worth 2023
SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 20: Brisco performs during Y 100 Jingle Ball at BB&T Center on December 20, 2013 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/WireImage)
Brisco’s net worth of $1.5 million in 2023 speaks volumes about his skill, perseverance, and business acumen. While this figure might not put him among the top earners in the industry, it is still a significant accomplishment that testifies to his ongoing success.
As Brisco continues to influence the music industry, his net worth is projected to rise. His story is a demonstration of the potential for financial success in the entertainment industry through hard work, talent, and strategic business moves.
Conclusion/TLDR
In conclusion, Brisco’s net worth in 2023 is a testament to his journey in the competitive world of entertainment. It reflects his ability to effectively capitalize on his talents and opportunities to accumulate wealth. As fans, we can look forward to seeing how Brisco’s career continues to evolve and potentially increase his net worth in the future.
Trina’s fifth album Amazin’ was released 13 years ago and marked a shift in the rapper’s artistry. The Miami native showed the world her versatility on the project and gained new fans after its release. The rap queen kept the momentum after Still Da Baddest in 2008 solidified her status as one of the best in the game. With Amazin’, she kept the discussion running about how she truly is deserving of the title “Da Baddest Bitch.”
Amazin’ was released on May 4, 2010, under the label Slip-n-Slide Records. Unlike her previous works, the album had less of Trina’s signature sexual explicitness. However, she maintained her bold and assertive rapping style, taking no prisoners with her cocky bars. The album was packed with various anthems and saw the rapper collaborating with a wide range of artists.
The Diamond Princess had already racked up enough respect before the album’s release. Trina achieved an incredible feat by even having four albums to her name. Her four albums before Amazin’ were met with a favorable reception. Nevertheless, the rap icon still had much more up her sleeve, and with the new decade, another sound was born. Trina spread her wings musically and made room to welcome the divergence of Hip Hop in the 2010s.
Trina’s Musical Evolution On “Amazin’”
Four official singles were sent to radio, with a buzz single, “My Bitches”, released shortly after. Amazin’ also had two unreleased singles that were switched from the official set list and kept as album tracks. Trina featured several notable artists on Amazin’. She enlisted older and newer acts, from Hip Hop royalty Diddy and Rick Ross, to R&B legend Monica and fellow rapper Nicki Minaj, among others.
Trina also ensured the production quality of Amazin’ was top-notch. The bass lines were clean and heavy, and the beats packed a punch. Her suggestive and powerful rap style paired well with the sonic elements and made for a high-energy affair. The rapper is no stranger to making bold claims, and Amazin’ was no different. With songs like “That’s My Attitude” and “Million Dollar Girl,” Trina proved she had no intentions of playing nice.
Commercial Success
“Million Dollar Girl,” featuring Keri Hilson and Diddy, was a hit with fans of the rapper. The anthem, and the first single released after the album’s drop, covered financial independence women’s success. Trina was her usual confident self on the single, boasting about her wealth and status. She proudly lets her listeners know that anything Trina wants, Trina gets.
Rapping alongside heavyweights like Lil Wayne might have been tough for others, but Trina held her own. On the track “Always,” the second song on the project that features Monica, Trina came out swinging. While she didn’t shy away from confessing her love, she made it known that she was still running things in true Trina fashion.
Regarding Amazin’s commercial success, the album peaked at the 13th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. However, on other charts, it performed much better. Amazin’ hit the top spot on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart. The album also hit the second and fourth spot on the Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, respectively.
Trina’s Legacy
A highlight of the album was the track “My Bitches.” Trina has always been vocal about sisterhood within the rap community. The song hits differently today as the industry is rife with several beefs among women in rap. On the buzz single, Trina enlisted her protégées in the music video, showering love on friends. The industry is male-dominated, so the community among female rappers is needed now more than ever.
In addition, Trina’s dedication to women’s empowerment and independence was a recurring theme on the album. She showed her ability to be as hard-hitting as her male contemporaries but still effortlessly displayed her softness when needed. Amazin’ featured several anthems encouraging women to channel their self-worth, sexuality, and power.
Amazin’ was also an essential moment in Trina’s career. Many female rappers over the years have yet to release five albums. Trina expressed joy at being able to record and release five albums at the time, which is a monstrous feat. Several outlets have noted Trina’s incredible consistency as a woman in the large world of Hip Hop.
Moreover, the album was well-received, especially for Trina’s blend of old and new sounds. Her musical evolution was noteworthy for its authenticity and flexibility. Amazin’ ushered Trina into a new decade of music and sounds, and the rapper proved she could adapt. The Diamond Princess showed the world why she was to be revered and respected as an icon.
Frank Ocean isn’t the only headliner to get cut off by curfew lately. Lil Wayne recently disappointed fans in Montreal by only performing a 15-minute headlining set at the Metro Metro Festival. According to XXL, Wayne was set to headline the festival on May 19 with an hour-long set from 10-11, but per a statement issued by the festival’s organizers on Instagram, he didn’t arrive to festival grounds until 10:45.
Performers getting cut off by curfew is becoming something of a recurring theme in the music world. Frank Ocean’s headlining performance at Coachella was derailed by an injury on the first weekend that forced organizers to scramble to melt a portable ice rink that was to be used in the performance, pushing back his set for over half an hour. Then, the set was cut short by curfew, leaving fans disappointed and disgruntled as they left the festival grounds. Frank was subsequently removed from the second weekend with Blink-182 upgraded to headliner status.
Rap lyrics about video games have been appearing in the genre for years. When rappers drop brand names, we likely only know of them because we’ve heard them mentioned many times. Relating to them depends on how we spend our money. This fits the lifestyle many speak of – either we can relate to it or can’t. However, video games are much more accessible to many listeners.
If they don’t play anymore, these bars can be nostalgic for them. If they’re currently a gamer, they can appreciate the relevancy of the reference the rapper made. These days rap and video games go hand in hand, with many artists regularly streaming and appearing at events for the gaming world. We’ve gathered a list of rappers who have said a thing or two about video games in their music.
At this point, we’re well aware of one of Lil Wayne’s go-to topics in rap. But, he found time to veer from that to drop these rap lyrics about the classic video game series Mortal Kombat. “The Commission or Wu-Tang n****/ Tryna tell u I can kick it like Liu Kang n****/ Got that Sub-Zero flow, how u want me ma/ N**** get over here like Scorpion.”
Even people who have never played the game know its brutal reputation. With it being a 30-year-old franchise, several generations have been exposed to it. Wayne dropped these bars in 2006, and the latest entry in the series was announced on this month. He mentioned three of the game’s most popular characters. Liu Kang, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero are go-to characters for many players. Additionally, “Get over here” is Scorpion’s catchphrase. Wayne seems to be a big fan and is proud of it.
Saying this rap lyric about video games is dated is not an insult. In fact, “dated” may not be the right word. “Nostalgic” definitely fits better. Denzel rapped “Bills on me blue, Sly Cooper.” He has been open about his love of anime, games, and other connected worlds. This bar is from a song full of references to multiple things he enjoys. However, the bar we’re discussing is truly special for listeners. Sly Cooper was a video game series for the Nintendo GameCube. The title character was a raccoon that wore a blue outfit. This bar takes a typical subject and brings a specific reference to it because we all know rappers love their blue faces—one hundred dollar bills.
This is a rap lyric about video games that shows the age of the artist. It’s also a reference to Biggie’s entry on this list. “Grandma said she loved me, I told her I loved her more/ She always got me things, that we couldn’t afford/ The new Js and Tommy Hill in my drawers/Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, see GoldenEye was away at war,” rapped ScHoolboy Q.
He mentions a Nintendo 64, an entire generation after the Super Nintendo. Goldeneye 007 was a popular game. The song finds him talking about several moments in his past, but this one highlights one of the lighter moments. Fast forward a few years, and he’s a character in the PGA Tour game series. Seeing rappers whose topics aren’t always the brightest be interested in gaming is interesting. It’s further proof we don’t know who they are outside the booth until they tell us.
“PTSD” – City Morgue (2018)
This rap lyric about video games references a character through a double entendre. Doing things in a coupe is something we’ve heard many rappers mention. However, City Morgue talks of doing something truly reckless in it – which is on brand for their music. “Imma crash in the coupe, do the Crash Bandicoot,“ declared City Morgue member SosMula.
Bandicoot is a video game character known for his off-the-wall personality and behavior. One of his signature moves is when he spins in a circle, destroying anything in his path and moving forward faster. While his self-titled series of games are primarily platformers, he’s got a kart racing game too. This one is titled Crash Team Racing. SosMula’s bar could refer to both.
“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G (1994)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include this rap lyric about video games in this list. When rap fans think of the “oldest” rap lyric about video games, their mind usually goes to these classic bars. Biggie says, “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/ When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this.” Of course, other songs have more niche references, but this is one even non-rap fans get. Biggie references two game consoles in this bar. It references his past and how he’s elevated since then.
For many people, games are something they had a lot more time for when they were younger. Of course, nowadays, adults get paid to play games which is just another example of how things are constantly changing as time progresses. However, these bars are timeless for a classic song and legendary artist.
“Corduroy” – BONES (2014)
These rap lyrics about video games are the most specific ones on our list. That’s because it’s not just about a video game – it’s a cheat code for a video game.“R2, R2, L1, R2, Up, Down, Left, Right, then I get to bangin’,” BONES rapped in his trademark lower register. BONES is a rapper whose music has referenced computer lingo, games, and movies multiple times. However, this bar takes things to a new level. He names specific button inputs which players know are on a PlayStation controller. The code is for Grand Theft Auto III for the PlayStation 2. When players use it, they will have all the weapons from the game equipped for their character to use. Listeners can infer BONES knows from experience.
Rap lyrics about video games can sometimes appear across generations. Mortal Kombat was mentioned at the beginning of our list.“Black shades, Johnny Cage, diamonds go parade/ Motorola in the kitchen, whippin’ Sonya/ My plug look like Pacquiao, his daughter is Kitana” rapped Quavo and Takeoff. Johnny Cage is a classic character from the Mortal Kombat series. His character is a movie star and often keeps his sunglasses on as he fights. Sonya Blade ends up in a relationship with him. Migos are referring to her as “white girl,” much like their hit “Hannah Montana” spoke of. They managed to seamlessly reference their lifestyle and these characters and connect the two. It sounds like they had a controller in their hands when they weren’t in the trap.
What are some of your favorite bars about video games? Let us know in the comments section.
