January 31st, 2020, Atlanta, GA / Giselle Ave. Media — “It’s Weezy F. Baby, please say the baby!” It’s the last Friday of January 2020, which actually feels like the longest year ever! This month has been a breaking news roller coaster for many reasons: Impeachment talk in D.C., US/Iran tensions rising, global Coronavirus outbreak, and the tragic loss of Kobe & Gianna Bryant, and it’s just now the last day of the month! On a semi-lighter note, Fridays are also reserved for new music. Today, we’re talking about rap’s original “Lil,”— Lil Wayne.
Lil Wayne is still considered by many as “one of the greatest rappers alive.” He rose to fame during the Cash Money Records independent debut in the early 2000s, and he’s been a fan favorite ever since. The legendary song, “Back That A** Up,” by Juvenile features an unforgettable breakdown by Lil Wayne, that simply has been etched in our hearts as one of the greatest features and rap styles in the game. Lil Wayne is also noted for bringing bounce music to the mainstream, along with his Cash Money family. Today, artists like “Big Freedia,” continue to put on for the cultural significance New Orleans has on the entire hip-hop genre—Oh yeah!
Lil Wayne went on to deliver nothing but heat as a solo artist, and released a series of iconic mixtapes, including “Da Drought,” and “Dedication,” to name a few. His most recent release, “Dedication 6: Reloaded,” dropped January 2018, and things have been pretty quiet ever since. That is, until fans got a special tease via social media earlier this week about a brand new project, from Lil Wayne.
“Funeral” by Lil Wayne, feat. Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Lil Baby, Jay Rock, the-Dream, and more
Lil Wayne’s 13th studio album, “Funeral,” hit streaming platforms at midnight, and so far, fans are listening for Old Weezy, but with updated production, similar to what rap music has evolved into today. The album includes features from Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Lil Baby, Jay Rock, the-Dream, Adam Levine, the late XXXTentacion, Lil Twist, O.T. Genasis, and Takeoff. The album is a follow-up to his last studio album release, “The Carter V,” which came out in 2018 (after a looooong delay.)
At first stream, I’m feeling it! Lil Wayne is undeniably one of the greats when it comes to lyricism and delivery. He’s one of the few rappers who actually raps, while giving fans a glimpse into the mind of a rap genius. It’s refreshing to hear from a legendary rap artist because nowadays, if I’m being honest …. our favorites are taking L’s left and right!! Hopefully this album brings a much needed standard to the rap industry about what it means to have actual bars, instead of giving us nice production with bare minimum rap skills.
I’ll admit, the album title, “Funeral,” is a bit sketch. With all of the dark energy and death surrounding rap music as of late; R.I.P. Nipsey Hussle, Juice WRLD, Bushwick Bill, Mac Miller, XXXTentacion and others— I’m puzzled as to why the album is titled “Funeral?!”
On the track titled “Ball Hard,” Lil Wayne mentions “Black Mamba,” and references “balling hard” in the hook of the song. On the track titled, “I Don’t Sleep,” feat. Takeoff, Lil Wayne says:
don’t sleep and I’m still livin’ out my dreams (I don’t sleep)
Kill you in your sleep and now you can’t get out your dreams (Fuck your dreams)
Notorious B.I.G. said it was all a dream (All a dream)
I’m reppin’ M-O-B, the mob, I got ties (Woo, woo)
In the back of my head, under my locks, I got eyes (Woo)
Presidents so dead up in my pockets, I got flies (Yeah)
Been chasin’ these presidents so long they must be tired (Yeah)
They better not close their eyes, ’cause Tunechi never blink (Never blink)
And if you sleepin’ on Lil Tunechi, rest in peace (Rest in peace)
‘Cause all a nigga do is win like I cheat (Like I cheat)
And I ain’t sleepin’ ’till they bring me to the priest (To the priest)
F*** a bed, f*** a spread, f** a sheet
Mmmmmmmm, well anyway. I did learn that if you turn the album cover upside down, it reads “Lil Wayne.” That’s one reason to name the album “Funeral,” right?!
Nevertheless, new music on Friday is always a treat! I’d like to know what you think about the album so far, will you be streaming Lil Wayne’s latest project? Let me know in the comments section!
For the love of music,
Belle in the City Giselle
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Giselle Avenue 
I love your music Wayne.