Unfortunately, it looks like Lil Wayne’s last “Welcome To Tha Carter” tour stop in Los Angeles brought the trek to a sour close. Moreover, the rapper reportedly showed up late to The Wiltern on Saturday night (May 13), and fans say he had low energy. Still, it seems like the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” was putting on a solid set for his fans, going through many of his classics. However, the inciting incident came when Weezy took a brief intermission, letting his Young Money artists Lil Twist, Yaj Kader, and Allan Cubas perform. Apparently the crowd’s reaction didn’t please the New Orleans MC, and he wrapped things up early.
“We appreciate it, but we ain’t about to be bending over backwards for these folks,” Lil Wayne expressed when Cubas was about to perform his second song. We work too hard for this shit, we work way too hard. This my motherf***in’ artist Allan, that was Twist, that was Yaj; we are Young Money. We appreciate y’all time.” Given that his team canceled the show’s scheduled livestream, maybe we should’ve known something was up.
Regardless, it’s quite sad to see such a legendary rapper have that reaction during his tour’s last show. Whether you blame Lil Wayne for his actions or the crowd for their seemingly unenthused energy, it’s not a pretty sight. In fact, other issues that the “Welcome To Tha Carter” tour faced seem to have been handled in a more smooth way. For example, he canceled his Atlanta show and let fans know that they would reschedule. In contrast, this seems to be a much more unprompted and tense cancellation.
Obviously, a lot of people expressed anger, disappointment, disbelief, and frustration online. As of writing this article, it seems that the “Kant Nobody” MC has yet to respond to backlash or address the show’s abrupt end in any way. No matter which side you blame or how much you may empathize with Tunechi’s frustration and rights as an artist, this is not the way any anticipated tour should end. Regardless, stay logged into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Lil Wayne.
With a career spanning over two decades, Lil Wayne has established himself as one of the most influential rappers in the music industry. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at a staggering $170 million, according to Wealthy Gorilla. This article will delve into the factors that have contributed to Lil Wayne’s impressive net worth.
The Early Years: The Beginning of Lil Wayne’s Success
(Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., Lil Wayne first tasted fame at the tender age of 14 when he joined the popular hip-hop group, the Hot Boys. He quickly gained recognition for his unique style and lyrical prowess, which eventually led to the release of his debut solo album, Tha Block Is Hot in 1999. The album achieved platinum status, signaling the start of Lil Wayne’s journey to superstardom and wealth accumulation.
A Prolific Solo Career: Albums And Collaborations
(Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Throughout his career, Lil Wayne has released a total of 13 solo studio albums, with many of them reaching platinum and multi-platinum status. Some of his most successful albums include Tha Carter III, which sold over 1 million copies in its first week, and Tha Carter IV, which garnered similar success.
In addition to his solo work, Lil Wayne has also been involved in numerous collaborations with other big-name artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and more. These collaborations have not only helped boost his album sales but have also increased his overall net worth.
Lucrative Endorsements And Business Ventures
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lil Wayne’s net worth isn’t solely the result of his music career. The rapper has also managed to secure several lucrative endorsement deals with prominent brands such as Mountain Dew, Samsung, and Beats by Dre. These endorsements have allowed him to further increase his earnings and expand his wealth.
Moreover, Lil Wayne has demonstrated a keen sense of business acumen by venturing into various industries. He founded his record label, Young Money Entertainment, which has signed several successful artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. This business move has allowed Lil Wayne to reap significant financial rewards from the success of his artists.
Real Estate Investments
(Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images for 2K)
Another contributing factor to Wayne’s net worth is his real estate investments. Over the years, he has bought and sold several properties, including a luxurious Miami Beach mansion, which he sold for a reported $10 million in 2017. These savvy real estate moves have helped him to further grow his fortune.
Legal Issues And Financial Challenges
(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Despite his immense wealth, Lil Wayne has faced several financial challenges over the years, including tax issues and lawsuits. However, he has managed to overcome these obstacles and maintain his impressive net worth.
Lil Wayne’s Philanthropy
(Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
In addition to his financial success, Wayne has also been an active philanthropist. He has supported various charitable causes such as education, disaster relief, and health care.
Conclusion/TLDR
In conclusion, Lil Wayne’s net worth of $170 million as of 2023 is the result of his successful music career, shrewd business ventures, and profitable endorsements. Despite facing financial challenges, he has managed to maintain and grow his fortune while also giving back to society through his philanthropic efforts. Lil Wayne’s net worth serves as a testament to his enduring influence in the world of hip-hop and beyond.
Young Money artists are considered some of the most significant contributors to Hip Hop. Since the late ’90s and even until now, the New Orleans-centered label has been a force in Hip Hop. First, it was Birdman, Slim, Curren$y, Lil Wayne & Sqad Up, and Juvenile with the Hot Boyz. As time went on, Wayne eventually put the label on his back, dropping hits, mixtapes, and albums that are still essential to Hip Hop.
Eventually, Tunechi was ready to sign prominent artists. He got exactly what he was looking for in Drake and Minaj. The big three took over Hip Hop and continue to stop the world whenever they drop. However, there have been plenty of artists who have been signed to Young Money that helped make the collective the respected brand it is today. Let’s take a look at what some of these artists are doing now. Of course, we excluded Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Curren$y, and DJ Khaled. It wasn’t because they should be excluded, but with their success, we’re pretty sure you’re slightly familiar with where they currently stand in their careers.
Christina Milian
In 2012, Lil Wayne signed singer and actress Christina Milian. After having deals with The-Dream and MySpace Records, the 30-year-old, at the time, signed with Young Money. Wayne and the “Dip It Low” singer dated for a while but called it quits in 2015. Still, she remained with the label. Nowadays, she doesn’t make much music but instead focuses on her acting career. She was also featured in the TV series Step Up: High Water.
Cory Gunz caught Lil Wayne’s eye in 2010. He ultimately signed with the label later that year. The New York artist appeared on the original version of Wayne’s hit “A Milli.” Cory Gunz also was on another of Tunechi’s biggest songs, “6 Foot 7 Foot.” At the end of last year, on the Flip Da Script podcast, the 35-year-old discussed his current deal with Young Money and new music coming.
To be honest, Gudda Gudda has been with Wayne from the start. Since the Sqad Up days, when they were dropping one mixtape after another. Gudda still appears on Lil Wayne’s Dedication series to lend a verse. He also doesn’t miss the chance to hit the stage with the Young Money boss as he joined Wayne during his Rolling Loud performance last month. Though he is not one of the biggest stars of Young Money, Gudda has his own material. His Guddaville mixtape series reportedly has a fourth installment on the way.
Lil Twist
After opening up for Lil Wayne at 12 years old, Lil Twist’s life changed forever. Since then, he has been down with Young Money and still is today. He was recently on WEtv’s Growing Up Hip Hop, becoming a fan favorite. On the show, he performs and gives aspiring artists advice. He had his run-in with the law, but Twist has managed to come out of the other side with a good head on his shoulders.
Just like Gudda Gudda, Mack Maine has watched Young Money develop from the start. He grew up with Wayne, and they attended the same school. Mack is one of the founders of Young Money alongside Wayne. He doesn’t make much music, but he is an executive for the label and has been since 2009. Besides music, Mack Maine is a businessman who just last year invested in emoji and NFT startup Yat.
Reginae Carter
Of course, Lil Wayne’s daughter was signed to his label. She hasn’t made music in a while. You can see her on social media with her boyfriend Armon Warren. Last year, she was in one of the cyphers at the BET Hip Hop Awards, and she was praised for her addition. Besides being Wayne’s daughter, she was also in a high-profile relationship with rapper YFN Lucci.
Shanell
You probably remember Shanell from Lil Wayne’s hit song “Prom Queen.” The Atlanta singer has been signed to Young Money since 2009. Though she hasn’t released music since 2015, the 42-year-old reportedly still has a contract with the label. Last year, Level 77 Music won Pop Track of the Year for “Be Mine” at The Production Music Association’s Mark Awards. Shanell also wrote and produced the hit single. “Be Mine” is on the album G.I.R.L. (Girls in Real Life).
T-Streets
T-Streets is more like a family than an artist to Lil Wayne. Growing up in New Orleans, T-Streets was an up-and-coming rapper as well. He eventually joined Lil Wayne in the Sqad Up group. His last mixtape was in 2011, but he still reportedly remains with the label.
Austin Mahone
In 2013, Young Money decided to take a different route. They found pop artist Austin Mahone, who was projected to be the next Justin Bieber. After signing with Wayne, Mahone released an EP, The Secret, the following year. Due to low sales numbers, Young Money decided to drop the young artist. Today, Mahone still releases music as he was just at the Country Music Awards. Unfortunately, he is in some legal trouble as he is one of eight celebrities charged with promoting cryptos without disclosing that they are receiving compensation.
Chanel West Coast
Chanel West Coast started her rapping career in 2009. Three years later, Lil Wayne signed her to Young Money. After releasing a mixtape shortly thereafter, that seemed to end her run with the label. Then, Chanel released her debut album in 2020 independently. While promoting her album, she finally discussed her Young Money deal. She claims that she never had problems with Wayne, but other people on the label were tearing her down. Some speculate she was talking about Nicki Minaj, as it has been known that these two did not see eye to eye.
Although he is from the North, he signed with the most prominent label in the South. Jae Millz was a notorious battle rapper in Harlem before signing with Wayne. Today, he continues to drop music, but under his own imprint, Potent Dept. His last project came last year, titled Potent Vibes Only 4. Millz was spotted at the Young Money Reunion last year in Toronto as he hit the stage alongside Wayne, Minaj, and Drake.
Kidd Kidd
Just like T-Streets and Gudda Gudda, Kidd Kidd was also a part of Sqad Up. After issues with the group, he went to sign with Young Money on his own. After appearing on the hit song “Mrs. Officer,” Kidd Kidd left Young Money because he wasn’t in the music video. =A few years later, he signed with 50-Cent and G-Unit. =Kidd Kidd would be a part of three G-Unit compilation albums. In 2018, he started his own label, RLLNR Entertainment. Last year, he dropped his LP, Street Fame.
Omarion has a short time at Young Money. n 2009, Wayne announced he had signed the former B2K artist. After not receiving his advance in the scheduled time, Omarion became frustrated, and Wayne was nowhere to be found. The two even released a song titled “I Get It In,” but that same night Mack Maine took to Twitter to let the public know Omarion was no longer with the label.
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 AmMusic. 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’sDedication 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.
Sometimes it’s a bit tough to talk about other rappers due to the genre’s competitive nature, but that spirit can also garner a lot of respect in the game. Lil Wayne recently spoke about supporting Drake since the onset of his career on his recent Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe. While Weezy’s already started Tha Carter VI season with a new single, he also took time to reminisce on one of his protegés. During his conversation with Zane Lowe, the New Orleans rap titan praised Drake’s persistence, vision, determination, and hunger to best his competition. Given their incredible run through Young Money and beyond, Wayne clearly placed his bets well.
“It was easy for me,” the 40-year-old said of nurturing the career of the rising 6 God. “It was obvious. I saw what he could be and would be. It was easy for me to keep motivating him and letting him know what it is. You have to see it to believe it. It was very simple. Doing a song with me. It was just that simple. Him knowing ‘I can go blow for blow with you on a joint’ — that was his motivation. That’s his chip.” Even in normal conversation, Weezy drops some crazy bars, and that joint line is no different. Anyway, his words make sense given that the Canadian superstar always had somewhat of a chip on his shoulder. While many took time to appreciate his artistic and commercial contributions to the game, his will and skill were evident from the jump to artists like Tunechi. Of course, Drake was the first, and not the last one, to thank him for his vision.
Lil Wayne Praises Drake & Drops New Single
Also, the “Let The Beat Build” MC spoke during that interview on preferring creativity over competition in hip-hop. Sure, it might slightly undercut some of his praise of Drizzy here, but preference isn’t the same as dismissal. “This is creativity,” he remarked. “No one gets behind a mic, approaches a song, and says ‘I’m making a song so it can be better than this one.’ If we all approached it that way, yeah it’d be a competition. This is creativity. Any individual who creates, this is their individuality. They’re putting their growth and creativity out there for you to enjoy. But we also know this is what the world does, so we have no problem with it.”
Meanwhile, fans are as excited as ever for Wayne’s next studio project. “Everybody already know… you already know… come on… it’s Carter VI,” he stated about his next album. “I never even imagined. That didn’t even sound right years ago. I can’t believe we’re at Carter VI. My fans know I give my all. Go listen to my last feature and know it’s gonna be a thousand times better than that.” As always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news, updates, and greatness from Lil Wayne.
Lil Wayne’s new album appears to be on the way. The rapper dropped off his last studio album, Funeral in 2020, followed by the third installment in the No Ceilings mixtape series. However, it’s the forthcoming volume in Tha Carter that fans have awaited. Considering the storied history behind Tha Carter V’s release, it felt like a relief just to see the album out, even if it didn’t show Wayne at his finest hour. Nonetheless, the rapper emerged with a body of work that fans cherished.
Last year, the rapper confirmed that Tha Carter VI would arrive soon. Lil Wayne announced the project as he shared the stage with his protegées Drake and Nicki Minaj at OVO Fest last summer. Just a few days later, he ramped up the anticipation once he revealed that a pre-save link was available. Though he didn’t provide much of an update afterward, he announced his upcoming Welcome To Tha Carter tour, which is set to kick off this April. So, it seems like his next album could drop sometime soon.
Shortly after Vibe and Billboard unveiled the top 10 of their Top 50 Greatest Rappers list, which ranked Lil Wayne at #7, the rapper seemingly addressed the publications in an Instagram post where he teased a new collaboration with Swizz Beatz and DMX. Today, he unveiled his latest single “Kant Nobody” featuring the late DMX and produced by Swizz Beatz, which aims to put the conversation to rest surrounding his position in the rap game.
Swizz cooks up the haunting instrumental, which includes a sample of DMX’s vocals, while Lil Wayne delivers one of his best performances in a minute. While Wayne delivers one of his best verses in a minute, the song, unfortunately, limits DMX’s contributions to a sample instead of a full 16 bars. Still, Lil Wayne and Swizz continue to shine as collaborators following the release of “Uproar.” Check the single out above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics Best Rapper, ex-trapper, dressed dapper Swizzy gave me a headbanger, a neck-snapper Ex-factor, make a rapper an example All I need is a beat with a DMX sample.
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.
Grateful and excited about our new project. DJ Premier has 5 brand new songs out with some of the best rappers in the world. Nas, Remy Ma, Lil Wayne, Rapsody, Joey Bada$$, Slick Rick and RTJ. Appreciate all the hard work from our team. Great things take time. Roll Call! pic.twitter.com/3gwpY6gw6O
Still, if you’re hungry for more Young Money, many of its newest roster released the “Bars on I-95” freestyle just a couple of months ago. While Weezy and Joey walk pretty distinct and differing artistic paths, the lineage between them is well-rooted. Wayne climbed to the top of the world through the skill of his punchlines, lyricism, and one-of-a-kind personality. Much in the same way, Joey’s reputation precedes him in conversations around the best in hip-hop today. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Joey Bada$$, Young Money, and interesting what-ifs in the game.
(@herlindacarter_) May 14, 2023
