By Ismael AbduSalaam
Lil Wayne is not content with his blockbuster 2008, as the superstar MC is already brainstorming plans for the upcoming year.
In an exclusive interview with BBC’s 1Xtra’s DJ Semtex, Wayne first reflected on his phenomenal 2008 year, starting with his favorite freestyle over his signature song “A Milli.”
“I’m not gonna front, everyone killed it. I haven’t heard a wack [freestyle] yet,” Wayne disclosed. “[But] I got to say that Jay-Z’s in the best version next to Lil Mama, she murdered it. And I got the opportunity to watch her do that live.”
Wayne also detailed that the beat for “Dr. Carter” was originally created for Jay-Z, but was then switched to him after his verses impressed producer Swizz Beatz.
“He had it for Jay, and he told me ‘listen, I got this record for Jay, but I just want to see what you can do to it,’” Wayne revealed. “After he heard what I done to it, the record was for me. It wasn’t no ‘I beat Jay out,’ I just did enough where I kept the record. That’s real, ask Swizz (laughs).”
Seeking to grow his ever expanding collaboration catalogue, Wayne has his aim set on two MCs: underground sensation Jay Electronica and dormant superstar Eminem.
“Jay [Electronica] is crazy,” Wayne stated. “He probably don’t even know that I know his s**t, but that boy, he’s cold.”
Wayne reviewed that he had reached out to Eminem before Tha Carter III dropped in hopes of a joint song, but received no response from the Detroit native’s management.
Now 2 million record sales later, Wayne is more forceful and direct with his request to Slim Shady.
“I’m aight with the raps, it’s ok to get on a song. I’m calling you out!” Wayne quipped. “Come on out. I’m not calling you out to diss me because I can’t f*ck with you. But come do a song. Please…with three e’s.”
Moving forward to 2009, Wayne is excited about his upstart label Young Money Entertainment and his young, hungry roster of artists.
“I’m so happy about my label. I feel like a basketball team right before the season and I’m glad about all of my players. We ready,” Wayne stated. “[I have] Tyga, Jae Millz, Nicki Minaj, Bobby Valentino, [and] maybe Lil Scrappy in a minute. We doing it big.”
Confirming his work on a new album entitled Tha Carter IV, Wayne promises that he’ll continue to improve as an artist.
“Carter IV? It’s gonna be crazy because you know, I’m only getting better. Even though I’m getting older I’m only getting better,” he reasoned. “I’m in my prime right now and my light is shining very. Very bright right now and I know that. So I’m gonna take advantage of that. And I promise you, I will never fail you.”
Tha Carter III is available in stores now.