“And next time you mention Pac, Biggie, or Jay-Z don’t forget about me”

Lil Wayne-”Mr. Carter”

Pac, Big, Jay-Z, and Wayne…? Sounds blasphemous right…or wrong?

Does “Mr. Carter” mark Lil Wayne’s “Coming of Age”? Is this his transformation from “Best Rapper Alive” to one of the “Greatest of All-Time?” And is the man arguably rap’s G.O.A.T co-signing?

Lil’ Wayne’s come-up is almost like a folk legend now. He shoots himself while posing in the mirror; he goes to college; he teamed with DJ Drama to create the highly successful Gangsta Grillz mixtapes Dedication I & II; his infamous cup of “purp” (or “lean,” “drank,” “sizurp,” or other names) and “smoke sessions”; the growth seen in 500 Degreez, Tha Carter I, & Tha Carter II; the incredible number of songs & guest appearances; and the acknowledgment that he kisses his Daddy in the mouth. It’s excess meets success.

The success has made Wayne a Hip-Hop superstar. It’s created what could be called a “cult” following, making him one of the most downloaded, listened, “googled,” watched, talked about, cited, and sought artist in the game.

It also has made him a target of ridicule. His unusual rhymes, disjointed narratives, and stream-of-consciousness style either invokes praises of genius or calls of garbage. There are those who see it as his courage to be different; his ability to be creative in a way no other rapper has ever been able to; and the characteristics that make his “swag” among the best in the game.

Thus Tha Carter III is Lil Wayne’s attempt to create the mainstream musical success that will transcend him to pop star status; yet also to prove beyond a doubt that Weezy F. Baby deserves to be consider not just one of the best rappers of the time, but one of the best ever.

The track “Mr. Carter” is Wayne’s declaration of independence. Lines like “Blind eyes could look at me and see the truth” & “got Summer hatin on me cause I’m hotter than the sun/got Spring hatin on me cuz I aint never sprung/Winter hatin on me cause i’m colder than ya’ll/and I will never, I will never, I will never fall/I’m being hated by the seasons/So fuck ya’ll who hatin for no reason” affirm two things: 1. that Wayne is claiming his stake to rap greatness; and 2. (for those who you who haven’t caught on) he doesn’t care about the haters—in fact, he seems to believe his greatness is even beyond the weather (definitely a Lil Wayne-type metaphor).

Weezy’s self-assertions of hotness are nothing new. Jay-Z on a track co-signing them is.

Jay’s been known to not be shy at taking shots at those who attempt to come for the crown (check the resume); or at reminding folks why he is lyrically superior to most.

Yet his bars on “Mr. Carter” sound less like him schoolin the youngin on why he aint there yet, and more like words of encourage to the next in line. He gives words of wisdom and advice (”Young Carter/go farther, go further, go hard/is that not why we came, if not then why bother?”) and reflections on his own legacy ( “I’m far from being the bastard that Marcy had fathered/Now my name’s being mentioned with the martyrs/the Biggie’s, and the Pac’s, with the Marley’s and the Marcus’”).

Most telling are Hov’s ending words, “I took so much change from this rap game/it’s your go;” to which Wayne proceeds to provide the songs ending verse. In fact, it’s as if Hov’s telling us (figuratively or literally…that’s still to be determined) that he’s stepping aside to let the next young Carter shine.

On “Coming of Age” from Reasonable Doubt, Jay chronicled his mentorship of a “understudy” he named to be his heir apparent; and ten years ago this year he told part two of the story, where now the lil soldier declares “I done came up/no more second in line/’98 these streets is mine.” Perhaps in 2008, Sean Carter is telling Dwayne Carter that he’s come of age; and now it’s his turn to attempt to wear the crown.

The question is whether it’s time for Wayne to work towards the top spot, or that he’s already there? Is he already among the rap’s G.O.A.T.s, or is this now his time to make his bid? While Hov isn’t clear on this, Wayne already has his mind made up. He says his name should be mention along with Tupac, Biggie, and Jay-Z.

But does that also mean his name should be mentioned with Nas, Rakim, KRS-One, or any other rapper who typically holds a spot in anybody’s “top” or “greatest of all time” list?

Michael Partis

www.michaelpartis.blogspot.com

http://my.rawkus.com/profile/ForeThought

www.myspace.com/hiphopthought