In the H Weekly: Lil Wayne

The block will be hot
Kalani Wilhelm
Apr 1, 2009

Lil Wayne / When it comes to the downward spiral of the economy, it seems exceptions are made when Grammy-nominated platinum selling rap stars come to town.

With tickets on sale for as much as $125 a pop and going fast, it’s apparent that not even the state’s highest unemployment rate in 30 years will stop fans from dishing out big bucks to see hip-hop sensation Lil Wayne. The Louisiana rapper’s transformation into pop music’s Mr. Right Now has been a steady climb to the top since he signed his first record deal at the ripe age of 11. If he’s not making hits for himself, he’s usually dropping a verse on another artist’s hit record.

He began his career in more of a supporting role with New Orleans based rap collectives The Hot Boys and Cash Money Millionaires coining the phrase “bling-bling” along the way. Mixtapes and solo albums Tha Carter, Tha Carter II and the Tha Carter III have made him one of the hottest names in pop music, further stirring the pot in the best rapper of all time debate.

Tha Carter III set the bar for opening week sales topping over one million sold. The triple platinum project earned the 26-year old an unprecedented eight Grammy nominations. He only won four of the nominations, but when you’ve received the most nominations in hip-hop history, who’s counting?

In June, the CEO of Young Money Entertainment will be getting his inner rock star on with the release of Rebirth, a rock inspired album with guests Lenny Kravitz, Pete Wentz and Avril Lavigne and himself on guitar.

Aside from his music and commercials for Nike and Gatorade, Wayne will also be appearing in the upcoming movie Fast & the Furious 4. Besides, his brewing beef with 50 Cent proves there’s never a dull moment in Lil Wayne’s World.

Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave., Sat 4/4, 7:30pm, $59.75–$125.75, [www.ticketmaster.com], 591-2211Lil’Wayne’s Official Young Money Entertianment Afterparty, 10pm–4am, Pipeline Café, 805 Pohukaina St, w/concert ticket $15, presale $25, door $35, VIP $75, ultra VIP $200, 589-1999, 18+.