lil wayne
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Universal Music Group (UMG) is facing legal action from Lil Wayne’s producer, Darius “Deezle” Harrison.
The producer claims UMG owes him $3 million in unpaid royalties for his work on Wayne’s 2008 album Tha Carter III. Harrison alleges that his contract with Cash Money Records entitled him to a 4% royalty rate for each track he produced on the album, which includes the hit single “Lollipop”. He further contends that a separate agreement for his contributions to Birdman’s 2005 album “Fast Money” entitles him to an additional 3% royalty rate.
This lawsuit follows a previous legal dispute Harrison had in 2011 with Lil Wayne, Cash Money, and Young Money over similar royalty issues, which was settled confidentially. Harrison asserts that after the settlement, he began receiving royalty payments from UMG in 2012, but those payments ceased shortly thereafter, prompting the current legal action.
As the lawsuit unfolds, Lil Wayne is preparing for the release of his highly anticipated album, Tha Carter VI, scheduled for June 6, 2025. To celebrate the release, Wayne will headline his first-ever show at Madison Square Garden on the same day, marking a significant milestone in his career. The album features collaborations with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Andrea Bocelli, and his son Kameron, and is expected to showcase a diverse range of musical styles.
Despite the excitement surrounding the upcoming album, Harrison’s lawsuit casts a shadow over the celebration, highlighting ongoing disputes over royalty payments in the music industry.
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In a recent conversation with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay, 2 Chainz opened up about a surprising experience he had with Birdman and Lil Wayne during Wayne’s prime.
According to Chainz, Birdman had a habit of charging artists $100,000 just to get them in contact with Wayne. It was a costly fee, but one that many were willing to pay in hopes of securing a collaboration with the legendary rapper.
2 Chainz, however, found a more creative way to bypass the expensive fee. While shopping at a Gucci store, he bought a pair of red Gucci shoes for Wayne, symbolizing Wayne’s “red team” affiliation. He then took the shoes to Wayne at the studio, along with a beat CD. “He don’t know I’m about to take it to him,” 2 Chainz explained. Upon receiving the gift, Wayne was impressed, saying, “Damn, these harder than a b*tch.”
The two quickly got into the studio, but there was an issue with the email containing the song, which Wayne had sent. After sorting it out, they listened to the track, and 2 Chainz immediately recognized its potential. “Man, you did that for me?” he asked Wayne. Wayne responded with a simple, “Yeah boy.”
Despite Weezy’s generosity, Baby still expected his $100,000 for the connection. But as 2 Chainz aka “Tony” quipped, “it’s only going to be just 100, not 200.” That song, “Duffle Bag Boy” by Playaz Circle, would go on to become a major hit, cementing its place in Hip-Hop history.
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Model Denise Bidot has come forward with serious allegations against rapper Lil Wayne, claiming he subjected her to both emotional and physical abuse during their relationship.
The accusations surfaced on Mother’s Day, a day that Bidot says ended with her and her daughter being forced to leave Wayne’s home. In an emotional post shared on Instagram, Bidot expressed the pain of the split, calling it a cruel and heartless move. “Breaking up with someone on Mother’s Day is diabolical,” she wrote, hinting at a deeper turmoil behind the scenes.
Shortly after, she took to social media live to directly address her experience.
“This wasn’t just emotional mistreatment,” Bidot revealed during the livestream. “He actually put his hands on me. And I stayed. I thought it was just a one-time mistake, but now I realize I wasn’t the only one. I know there are other women who’ve experienced the same.” The couple’s relationship became public in mid-2020, and since then, they had a pattern of breaking up and getting back together.
Despite the rocky nature of their romance, Bidot once spoke highly of Wayne, calling him the love of her life and praising their connection on his 39th birthday in 2021.
“Happy birthday to my favorite human on this or any planet,” she had written at the time. “You’ve been my teacher, my friend, and the greatest love of my life.”
The stark contrast between that affectionate tribute and her current accusations paints a troubling picture of what may have been happening behind closed doors. Lil Wayne has yet to respond publicly to Bidot’s claims. As the situation unfolds, Bidot’s decision to speak out is being seen by many as a brave step toward breaking the silence surrounding domestic abuse, especially in high-profile relationships.
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T-Pain dropped a throwback video showing the first time he came up with one of his most famous lines—when he rhymed “mansion” with “Wiscansin.”
The line comes from his 2008 hit “Can’t Believe It” featuring Lil Wayne. If you’ve ever said “Wiscansin” instead of “Wisconsin,” this is where it all started.
In the video, T-Pain’s in the studio recording and says, “I can put you in a mansion, somewhere in Wiscansin.” Right after, he turns to his friends and asks, “That’s how they say that in Wisconsin right?” Everyone starts laughing, and you can tell they knew the line was going to stick. That one rhyme turned into a whole thing. Teddy Pain ended up naming a tour “Wiscansin University” and even dropped merch with the made-up school name.
The song “Can’t Believe It,” where T-Pain says the made-up word “Wiscansin,” is from his 2008 album Three Ringz. The track features Lil Wayne and became one of the album’s biggest hits. Three Ringz is T-Pain’s third studio album and has a circus theme, with skits and interludes tying it all together. Other songs on the album include “Freeze” with Chris Brown, “Chopped ’n’ Skrewed” with Ludacris, and “Karaoke.”
The album blends R&B, hip-hop, and Auto-Tune-heavy vocals that T-Pain is known for. Three Ringz was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
This vintage footage shows how Pain didn’t overthink it—he just had fun and let it flow. Sometimes the lines that hit the hardest come out of nowhere. Now fans finally get to see the exact moment the line that made everyone say “Wiscansin” was created.
Check out some of the reactions to the rare footage below.
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Source: Apple Music / Young Money Radio
Lil Wayne is ushering in a bold new chapter for his iconic Young Money label, officially launching what he’s calling the “new era” of the imprint.
In a recent episode of his Young Money Radio show on Apple Music, the legendary rapper unveiled a refreshed roster of talent, blending familiar faces with exciting new voices ready to carry the torch. In the early 2010s, Young Money made history with a powerhouse lineup that included Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga—artists who would go on to become global superstars.
Today, while the label’s sound and style continue to evolve, the legacy remains intact through longtime members like Euro, Cory Gunz, and Lil Twist, who are sticking with the movement into 2025.
Joining them are a wave of fresh talent: Jay Jones, Allan Cubas, Lucifena, Poppy, and Domiio—each bringing their own flavor and energy to the collective.
One standout among the newcomers is Domiio, a rising rapper from Broomall, Pennsylvania. In a recent interview with Hip-Hop Wired, Domiio spoke about the profound influence Wayne had on him growing up and how surreal it feels to now be signed under his idol. His recent Hip-Hop Wired freestyle showcases his lyrical skills and offers a glimpse into what Weezy sees in him.
With this new lineup, Lil Wayne is proving that Young Money isn’t just a memory—it’s a movement that continues to evolve, adapt, and lead. As the “new era” unfolds, fans can expect a fresh wave of music, collaborations, and creativity that stays true to the label’s roots while carving out its future.
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In a recent appearance on Nick Cannon’s podcast, Birdman revealed that Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj, often referred to as his “Big 3,” have collectively generated over $2 billion for Cash Money Records.
Birdman emphasized the massive cultural and financial impact these artists have had on the label and the music industry as a whole. He credited Wayne as the catalyst, not only for his own groundbreaking success, but for discovering and mentoring both Drake and Nicki Minaj, who each went on to become global superstars in their own right.
Baby also highlighted his broader influence in the rap game, naming artists like Future, Young Thug, and NBA YoungBoy as talents he supported early in their careers. He sees his role not just as a label executive, but as a builder of legacies, someone who has helped shape the sound and direction of Hip-Hop over the last two decades.
Cash Money Records, founded in 1991 by brothers Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams in New Orleans, quickly rose to prominence in the late ’90s with acts like Juvenile, B.G., and the Hot Boys, which included a young Lil Wayne.
The label became known for its Southern bounce sound and aggressive business strategy. After partnering with Universal Music Group, Cash Money solidified itself as a powerhouse. With Wayne, Drake, and Nicki leading the charge in the 2000s and 2010s, Cash Money transformed from a regional label into a global brand with a lasting legacy in Hip-Hop.
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Source: handout / Republic Records
On Tuesday (April 22), Lil Wayne gave his fans some great news as he revealed the cover for The Carter VI, along with the news that he will be headlining a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the first time ever. The rapper shared the artwork in a post on X, formerly Twitter, which features him as a smiling toddler with his signature tattoos.
The caption to the post read, “June 6. We C6. Tha Carter Six. Captain Carter C6,” ending with a link to his website. He followed that up with another post announcing his concert at Madison Square Garden, which will occur the same day as the album’s release. Fans can obtain tickets through a special pre-order sale happening on Wednesday (April 23), with a general sale taking place on Friday (April 25).
The Louisiana native has been hinting at releasing the album for the last seven years, even releasing another project in 2023, which was the follow-up to The Carter V, Tha Fix Before Tha VI. It’s a definite change from his recent mentions at the beginning of the year when his name was mentioned concerning the Super Bowl held in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. He declared that he was no longer interested in being considered to perform at a future halftime show after Birdman and others objected to Kendrick Lamar being the halftime performer in February.
As far as what fans can expect on The Carter VI, the “A Milli” rapper shared his process in making the album during a Rolling Stone interview released earlier this month. “If there’s one thing about this album that’s different, it’s me approaching it like, ‘Man, what would I sound like on something with such and such?’” he said. Artists confirmed on the album include Miley Cyrus, U2 frontman Bono, and Wyclef Jean along with Lil Wayne’s son, Kameron.
Source: handout / Live Nation
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Lil Wayne has given a much needed update on him and Kendrick Lamar. He recently said there are no issues between them.
As spotted on Hip Hop N More, Lil Wayne is preparing the release of his forthcoming album Tha Carter VI. As part of his promotional tour he spoke to Rolling Stone about the upcoming project. During the interview, which took several months to happen due to the Los Angeles wildfires and schedule changes, writer Andre Gee got an advance sneak peak of VI. Here Lil Wayne revealed that an all-star line up of collaborators will be featured on the LP including Miley Cyrus, Wyclef Jean, Bono, Machine Gun Kelly, Andrea Bocelli, Elephant Man and his son Kameron Carter. While the cover feature also puts a spotlight on his approach to parenting, how he creates his music and more, it was his response to where he stands with Kendrick Lamar that soon went viral.
When asked about their relationship he said things are “fine” after Kendrick Lamar referenced him on “wacced out murals.” He also explained that he was not following the Drake and Kendrick beef thus it didn’t dawn on him what he was doing when he was spotted singing the lyrics to “Not Like Us” at one of his shows.
“I went onstage and I was singing this song, and they thought I was dissing,” he said. “I ain’t want my dude to be mad at me. I didn’t even know it was Kendrick!” He added, “If it don’t happen on [ESPN] or FS1, I wouldn’t know that happened.”
Tha Carter VI is set to be released June 6. You can read the Rolling Stone interview here.
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At a recent concert, Lil Wayne straight-up cut Birdman off mid-speech, and it went viral. Birdman, doing what he does best—talking big about the Cash Money legacy—was in the middle of his usual talk-heavy moment when Wayne wasn’t having it.
Out of nowhere, Wayne hit the DJ with a quick “Alright, let’s go, let’s go,” and just like that, the DJ dropped the next song, completely cutting Birdman off.
You could see it all over Baby’s face—he was definitely caught off guard and a little embarrassed. For years, Birdman has been the one with the mic, dropping knowledge and flexing his influence, but in that moment, Wayne took control. It was almost like he was saying, “Alright, enough talk, let’s get to business.” The two have had their fair share of drama over the years, from the whole Cash Money situation to public disputes, but seeing them on stage together was still a powerful moment.
Yeah, it might’ve been a little awkward for Birdman, but it was a sign of where their relationship stands now. Even with all the past issues, Weezy isn’t letting anyone run the show when he’s in the building—whether it’s his father/mentor or not. It was a reminder that despite their history, there’s still respect, but Wayne’s running the show.
Lil Wayne just dropped the bomb that Tha Carter VI is finally coming on June 6th, and the internet’s going wild. Fans have been waiting for this moment ever since Tha Carter V dropped back in 2018. The Carter series has been a game-changer in hip-hop, and this next chapter is looking like it’s about to be fire. Wayne is back in full swing, we can expect nothing but heat—new flows, crazy bars, and that classic Weezy vibe. After years of waiting, the hype for Tha Carter VI is real, and June 6th can’t come soon enough.
Lil Wayne has joined the eclectic roster of musical guests to share a career-spanning singles medley on Sunday night’s (Feb. 16) SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Wayne was joined by The Roots and DJ T. Lewis for his performance, which opened with 2018 single Uproar, and saw Weezy run through other tunes from his Tha Carter […]