Lil Wayne’s Funeral

Lil Wayne is an iconic figure in hip hop history, having achieved great success before reaching puberty. His success has been built upon a steadfast public image despite facing immense hardships and doubt.

On a recent episode of Martin Lawrence’s podcast, the host asked Wayne about his rap legacy and whether or not he considered himself “the best rapper alive.” Wayne replied that he believed himself to be both weirdest and most magnetic rapper in existence – an opinion which can be hard to argue with, especially when it comes to his marijuana-infused rhymes which sometimes take an unorthodox path. It’s difficult not to admire Wayne for these qualities – especially when they come from someone as charismatic as himself!

In an age when the music industry is all about chasing after big, shining stars and placing them on television shows, it’s refreshing to see an artist like Wayne take a step back and focus on connecting with listeners rather than simply trying to get his name in lights. His Dedication mixtape series, which he began back in 2006, serves as proof of this principle.

Making a mixtape that appeals to the masses while remaining innovative is no small feat, and that’s exactly what Weezy has achieved on Funeral. After taking things slow with Mannie Fresh-produced “Mahogany,” Weezy takes things up a notch with some of his most energetic verses in some time.

Though the tempo isn’t always consistent and Weezy’s phrasing can sound strained at times, this album still represents a strong effort that deserves your attention. As Wayne continues to build his personal empire, it’s encouraging to see him find new ways to connect with his fans.

On this album, there are songs that stand out for their sheer brilliance and sonic inventiveness. Tracks like “Moment” and “No Mercy” – featuring both DJ Drama and DJ Khaled – offer up a delight to hear and listen to as they seamlessly combine the old with the new in an exhilarating yet rewarding way.

The album is not without its share of duds, but it still manages to deliver a strong rap record. The mix is uneven with some tracks sounding more polished than others – as expected from an album featuring so many talented artists.

Wayne often attempts to do something unique on his songs, but sometimes these ideas don’t pan out as intended. Songs like “Made Me” and the irritating breakup anthem “The Price Is Wrong” feel too stuck in a familiar sound and have some disconcerting rhythms as if the rapper is trying to fit a band’s beat into his mouth and having to spit over it; furthermore, these songs tend to move too quickly so that the melody gets lost in translation.

His recent albums have suffered from this issue, but it’s particularly acute here. Most of the raps on this record are so unremarkable that only one song – “Drop The World” with a guest verse from Eminem – stands out as truly enjoyable listening.