The Way of the Y2K Rapper
I wonder if Lil Wayne and Eminem ever kick it? Their careers really popped off at about the same time. They’ve both grown into reclusive geniuses with something to prove. They both compare themselves to Martians. It feels like a good fit, from the outside. I just finished listening to Music to be Murdered By, what is easily Eminem’s best album in over a decade. The production and structure is phenomenal. The features pop and Em, himself, has the same vigor and passion we heard in Kamikaze. But there was this weird after taste when I was done. I found myself asking myself: Why is this still so cringy? On paper this album is great, so what do I really want from Eminem? And I want Eminem to be Lil Wayne. More specifically, aside from the drug use, I think Lil Wayne is a good role model for aging pop rappers.
Yeah, there’s Jay-Z but a lot of his growth feels performative (not saying it is. Just feels it) and his politics alone warrant their own conversation. I’ve lived in New York long enough to know that everyone doesn’t have the same reverence for Dwayne Carter that I do. Everybody hasn’t seen a club erupt from the first four chords of his rendition of “Sky’s the Limit,” but yes, America, from 2005-2008, Lil Wayne was the greatest rapper alive, and he has never fallen out of the top tier. That king has been an elite emcee for almost 30 years now, easily on par with Eminem.
I used to think the problem with Eminem was that he needed to grow up. Beavis and Butthead jokes aside, Lil Wayne could rent a car before he could skateboard so maturity is hardly the independent variable here.
He birthed a generation: From Lil Uzi Vert to NBA YoungBoy, every rap you’ve heard of in 2020 stole at least one flow from Lil Wayne. The man is the James Brown of rap. Its hard to sound dated when you created the sound.
His crew was tougher: D12 vs. Young Money? Get the fuck outta my face. Drake and Nicki kept us saying the "Baby” throughout Wayne’s experimental years. Where was Bizarre during Recovery?
He took the mask off: Two days ago you could have never told me that Dwayne Carter would be The Robot on the Masked Singer. But as sure as his album was way too long, there he was poppin’ and lockin’ next to Nick Cannon. When did you ever think you would see Tunechi share a stage with Nick Goddamn Cannon? Singing Lenny Kravits? During Black History Month?!
Pictured: The greatest rapper of his generation
It sounds like Marshall heard every criticism lobbied his way and tried to correct them and Music to be Murdered By shows it. If we would have gotten this album in 2015 it would probably be considered one of the greatest of all time. But in 2020, when the album was done, I can’t help but wonder why my guy is 47 years old and still salty about his stepdad? You’re the most successful rapper of all time and one of the most famous people in the world. Go be a robot for your kids.