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From
his DJ Drama-assisted mixtape, 2005's Dedication, until
the release of Tha Carter III last year, Lil Wayne
seemingly appeared to rap on just about every big hip-hop record.
Since then, the number of songs he's graced has slowed as he's been
busy putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming rock record
Rebirth, working on a compilation LP for his label Young
Money and flirting with a Hot Boys reunion project. So what are
Weezy's best tracks? Here's a rundown of 10 essential Wayne numbers
since the Cash Money standout really became the "Best Rapper
Alive."
"Ransom" - Drake
featuring Lil Wayne (Internet)
Weezy rides shotgun with his newest protégée Drake,
delivering some interesting news about a visit to the good doctor's
office ... Dr. Dre, that is: "ZZ Top, yes, he rock/ and me and
Drizzy both wrote on Detox."
"He Raps, He
Sings, It's T-Wayne" - Lil Wayne & T-Pain (T-Wayne
LP/Mixtape)
The Auto Tune twins play role reversal on this rumbling "Best of
Both Worlds"-styled track with Teddy P spittin' 16 bars and Wayne
beltin' out a vocoder-assisted verse.
"Let's Talk Money"
- Pimp C featuring Lil Wayne (The Naked Soul of Sweet James
Jones)
50 Cent has been baiting Lil Wayne nonstop on record and in
interviews for the past year, but the Cash Money MC usually
deflects the attention saying how honored he is that a huge star
recognizes him. But Wayne took his first swipe at Fif late last
year on "Lousianamal" and strikes again here: "That nigga Pimp
called me before he left this bitch/ Told me keep doin' ya thing
and don't tell 50 shit."
"Unstoppable" -
Drake featuring Lil Wayne (So Far Gone)
Young Angel ("My name is Drizzy and I ain't perfect/ but I work
hard, so I deserve it") and Young Lion ("My name is Weezy, I'm
almost perfect/ and I work harder than hard workin' ") lyrically
spar on this Santigold-inspired sample that connects the hipsters
with the 'hood crowd.
"By Myself" - Lil
Wayne & Juelz Santana (My Face Can't Be
Felt)
The pair sparked Internet frenzy a few years ago during the height
of the Coke Rap-era when they announced they'd be collaborating on
a project that was originally titled I Can't Feel My Face.
Since then, Weezy has shot up to superstardom while Juelz has
languished in label limbo until recently; this is the first
offering from the revamped mixtape now — somewhat awkwardly
titled My Face Can't Be Felt.
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"Jackin' Swagga
From Us" - Jim Jones featuring Lil Wayne, Noe, and Twista
(Unreleased)
Lil Wayne bites the hand that feeds him once again by by joining
Jones on this anti-Jay-Z crusade. Weezy may not mention Hov at all,
but after first dissin' the elder Carter in a 2006 Complex
magazine interview ("It's not your house anymore") before bowing
down to him ("Mr. Carter"), it's not too smart for him to get on
this track, a somewhat funny — though slightly underwhelming
— interpretation of T.I.'s "Swagger Like Us."
"Every Girl" - Lil
Wayne featuring Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, and Mack Maine
(Young Money)
The "Greatest Rapper Alive" follows in the footsteps of the real
greatest rapper alive, Jay-Z, and introduces his own crew, Young
Money. This raunchy boys club romp is the first offering from the
collective's upcoming compilation album until the official single
is selected later this year.
"Red Magic" - Lil
Wayne & The Game (Unreleased)
This Jay-Z-obsessed pair planned to release a mixtape collaboration
titled Blood Brothers, but the project — much like
I Can't Feel My Face — hasn't seen the light of day.
On this energetic "Roc Boys" flip, they gratuitously salute
everything from red Poshes, red Chucks, and (of course) red
carpets.
"Turn My Swag On"
(Remix) - Soulja Boy Tell'em featuring Lil Wayne
(iSouljaBoyTellem)
The breakout artist of 2007 was his way to becoming the biggest
bust of 2008 until Weezy jumped on this SB album cut and
transformed it into an underground smash (and reportedly the next
single from the youngin') with lines like: "Ganster to the Grissel,
swagger unofficial/ I'm the shit and you, you just a maggot on the
tissue."
"Magic City"
(Remix) - Jadakiss featuring Lil Wayne (The Last
Kiss)
The raspy-voiced MCs link on this bouncy, guitar-laced ode to
clubs, cat calling, and cash. "We cut the ears and the tail off
Mickey Mouse/ never been a rat, never had him in the house/ Call me
Captain Kangaroo, but I got money in my pouch/ And I don't mean
loose change when I say there's money in the couch."
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