Lil Wayne Announces That He Signed With Roc Nation: Watch
UPDATE: Lil Wayne’s manager, Cortez Bryant, tells Billboard that Weezy was simply referencing Tidal. “The Internet and blogs took his words out of context. When Wayne was speaking about the partnership with Jay Z, he was speaking about his new deal as an artist owner with Tidal.”
Lil Wayne is on his way to cutting ties with Birdman‘s Cash Money once and for all, by signing with Jay Z‘s Roc Nation. “I just signed a deal with my motherfucking idol Jay Z,” he said during his set at KMEL Summer Jam in Oakland, Calif.
Due to the long-delayed release of Tha Carter V, what was to be his final album, Lil Wayne has spoken out and taken action against his Cash Money boss (and father figure) Birdman since late last year. The New Orleans rap icon filed a $51 million lawsuit against his longtime label in January.
Meanwhile, when Lil Wayne calls Jay Z his “motherfucking idol,” he isn’t kidding. For one, he is now co-owner of Hov’s streaming service Tidal. But Weezy’s fandom dates all the way back to when he was a teen and a member of Cash Money rap group Hot Boy$, where he used to wear Rocawear and Reebok S Carters. He also almost left Cash Money for Roc Nation once before.
“Jay Z expressed interest,” Wayne told RapRadar founder Elliott Wilson. “And you know me, I was letting him know I was a super fanatic. I was on the first thing smoking. So I went over there and we met. I met with Jay, but history turned out to be what history is.”
As FACT points out, Lil Wayne didn’t say whether he will be releasing music via Roc Nation or just signed a management deal instead, like Grimes and Big Sean. Until he talks more about what’s in store, watch him announce his Roc Nation deal below.
Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.
