by Lil Wayne: A Prolific Collaborator Throughout His Career
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Lil Wayne is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Over the course of his 20+ year career, Weezy has released over a dozen studio albums and countless mixtapes and features. One thing that stands out about Lil Wayne’s vast discography is his willingness and ability to collaborate with other artists. Whether it’s bringing new talent like Drake into the spotlight or reuniting with longtime friends like Juelz Santana, Wayne seems to enjoy the creative process of making music with his peers. Here’s a closer look at 3 artists Lil Wayne has done multiple successful collaborations with over the years.
Drake
Perhaps Lil Wayne’s most famous protege and collaborator is Drake. Their connection goes back to the early 2000s when Drake would visit Lil Wayne in Houston and play him his music. Impressed with Drake’s talent and potential, Wayne eventually signed him to his Young Money label in 2009. Since then, Drake has credited Wayne as one of his biggest influences and inspirations.
Some of their most popular collaborations include “Right Above It” from Lil Wayne’s 2009 album I Am Not a Human Being, “HYFR” from Wayne’s 2011 album Tha Carter IV, and “Love Me” from Drake’s 2010 album Thank Me Later. On these tracks, their styles mesh seamlessly together with Wayne delivering his signature rapid fire flows and Drake providing melodic hooks. Their chemistry allowed each artist to play to their strengths.
“Right Above It” in particular showed how well they could bounce off each other rhythmically over a bouncy, club-ready beat. Wayne kicks things off with a dizzying opening verse before passing the baton to Drake, whose singing provides the song’s memorable chorus. The track was a major hit, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and cementing their status as hip hop’s premier duo at the time.
Their collaborative efforts have continued into the 2020s as well. In 2021, they reunited on Drake’s “Fountains” from his album Certified Lover Boy. Over a smooth, piano-driven beat, Wayne delivers a characteristically nimble 16-bar verse that finds him in top form. Their ability to make hit records together even a decade into their partnership shows how much they enjoy and understand each other’s styles in the studio. From bringing Drake to mainstream success early in his career to staying creatively linked today, Lil Wayne has played an instrumental role in cultivating one of rap’s most important artists.
Nicki Minaj
Another frequent Wayne collaborator is Nicki Minaj. Like Drake, Minaj got her big break after signing to Lil Wayne’s Young Money label in 2009. Since then, they’ve worked together on countless songs as labelmates and friends. Some of their standout collaborations include “High School” from Minaj’s debut Pink Friday, “No Frauds” from Wayne’s I Am Not a Human Being II, and “Roman’s Revenge” from Minaj’s Pinkprint.
On these tracks, their dynamic works because they each bring something unique. Wayne handles the technical rapping while Minaj adds her signature flow, charisma, and pop sensibilities. A perfect example is “No Frauds,” a hard-hitting posse cut where their bars trade off back and forth. Wayne kicks things off with a blistering first verse before Minaj matches his intensity on the second, proving she’s no “fraud” in the booth. Their chemistry kept the energy at a fever pitch throughout.
Perhaps their biggest collaboration to date is “Roman Reloaded” from Minaj’s 2014 album. Over a hypnotic, trap-inspired beat, they deliver standout verses that showcased new levels in their artistry. Wayne floats over the instrumental with his technical lyricism while Minaj matches his intensity with her commanding delivery. The song went on to be one of Minaj’s biggest hits, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing their status as hip hop’s premier duo at the time alongside Drake.
Even as their careers have progressed in different directions since the 2010s, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj still find time to link up in the studio from time to time. Whether it’s a loosie like 2020’s “Yikes” or a guest feature, their chemistry remains as strong as ever. As collaborators and labelmates, they played a big part in each other’s success stories over the past decade.
Juelz Santana
One of Lil Wayne’s longest and most consistent collaborators has been Juelz Santana. The two rappers came up together in the late 90s/early 2000s as part of the East Coast collective The Diplomats alongside Cam’ron, Jim Jones, and more. Santana’s style as a technical lyricist who could also deliver catchy hooks meshed well with Wayne’s emerging talents. Some of their most memorable early collaborations include “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” and “I Can’t Feel My Face” from 2002-2003.
On tracks like these, their chemistry was palpable as they traded bars back and forth with playful, competitive energies. Santana in particular shined by matching Wayne flow for flow during his prime Dipset era. Their styles complemented each other in creating some of the most exciting East Coast rap of the time period. Even after Wayne branched off into his solo career, the collaborations continued.
Standouts from later in their careers include “Georgia…Bush” from Wayne’s 2008 album Tha Carter III and “The Funeral” from Santana’s 2011 album There Is No Competition 2. Over a decade into their careers, they hadn’t lost a step and still pushed each other creatively on the mic. On “Georgia…Bush,” Santana delivers one of his most memorable guest verses full of witty wordplay and pop culture references that matched Wayne’s A-game.
Even when Santana took a step back from music in the 2010s due to legal issues, Wayne has found ways to pay homage like on the tribute “Used 2” from 2018’s Dedication 6. Their connection runs deep from their Dipset beginnings and they still find ways to link up in the booth whenever possible. As longtime friends, Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana have arguably one of the most consistent collaborative relationships in hip hop history.
In Conclusion
Over his prolific career, Lil Wayne has proven himself to be one of rap’s most collaborative artists. Whether its bringing new talent like Drake to the forefront, reuniting with longtime friends like Juelz Santana, or making hits alongside labelmates like Nicki Minaj, Wayne seems to relish the creative process of collaboration. With artists like these, his chemistry is unmatched as he’s able to playfully bounce bars, elevate their styles, and push them to new heights.
Even over the course of decades, Wayne still finds ways to link up productively with longtime collaborators. It’s a testament to how much he values the relationships and artistry of his peers. As one of the most influential rappers ever, Lil Wayne has left an indelible mark on the genre not only through his massive solo discography, but also by cultivating hit records alongside some of hip hop’s biggest names. His willingness to collaborate has undoubtedly expanded rap’s artistic possibilities and introduced new audiences to emerging talent.
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