Lil Wayne Speaks Out: ‘This N*gga Just In It For the Money’

On September 9, 2024, just hours after Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, Nicki Minaj went on a Twitter rant, seemingly targeting Jay-Z.

Although she didn’t name names, her words were widely believed to be directed at the rap mogul. She called him “spiteful,” “evil,” and “disgusting,” even ending her post by calling him “ugly.”

Birdman, her longtime collaborator, also chimed in with his own cryptic messages. Many speculated that Nicki and Birdman’s tweets were reactions to Kendrick’s Super Bowl announcement. However, these tweets were also a result of a long-standing, though rarely discussed, beef that started over 15 years ago.

Jay-Z’s Number One Spot

In 2003, Jay-Z was crowned MTV’s number one MC. But Lil Wayne didn’t take kindly to the ranking. When asked about it, Wayne immediately disagreed, stating, “I don’t think he’s number one in no kind of way.

The best he do is the most and he makes the most money.” Wayne continued, “Can’t nobody [expletive] with me.” According to him, making the most money was a sign of dominance in the rap game. He went on to say that no one in the business made more money than him and Birdman, which caused a stir among fans and critics alike.

The Beef with Jay-Z and Baby

The tension between Lil Wayne and Jay-Z has deep roots. This rivalry dates back to 2003, when Jay-Z announced his retirement after the release of The Black Album, his eighth studio album.

Despite this declaration, Jay-Z never truly stepped away from the music scene. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne was on the rise, quickly becoming one of the most talented and successful rappers in the game. At the time, Wayne was a young star who had already made a significant impact with his work with Cash Money Records and the Hot Boys.

Lil Wayne’s career exploded in the early 2000s, and by 2004, he had firmly established himself as a top-tier artist. His debut album Tha Carter was a huge success, and his lyrics and flow were being compared to rap legends, including Jay-Z.

On Bring It Back, the first single off Tha Carter, Wayne made a subtle reference to Jay-Z’s retirement, suggesting that he was the best alive since the “best rapper retired.” This set the stage for a long-standing rivalry.

Jay-Z’s Attempt to Sign Wayne

In 2005, Lil Wayne’s contract with Cash Money was fulfilled, making him a free agent. Jay-Z, who was then president of Def Jam, saw an opportunity to sign Wayne.

He made an offer to Birdman, which was met with resistance. Despite their relationship, Birdman rejected Jay-Z’s offer to sign Wayne. According to Jay-Z, he had respect for both Wayne and Birdman, but when he tried to discuss the situation, things turned sour. “We received a letter at our office for tortious interference,” Jay-Z explained. “It just all went from there.”

Wayne himself later revealed that while he did meet with Jay-Z, their negotiation didn’t go smoothly, and ultimately, Wayne decided to stay with Cash Money.

Jay-Z’s Return and the “Dead Hip-Hop” Controversy

In 2006, less than five years after his supposed retirement, Jay-Z made a triumphant return to the rap scene with Kingdom Come. On the album’s intro, Jay-Z referred to himself as the “savior of hip-hop,” alluding to the idea that hip-hop had died during his absence.

In the track “Trouble,” Jay-Z also made references to Wayne, subtly calling him out with the line, “Probably hustle with your pops.” Birdman, who had always been a father figure to Wayne, was once again the subject of Jay’s lyrical jabs.

Wayne didn’t stay quiet. He responded to Jay-Z’s return with a fierce rebuttal, claiming the title of “the LeBron James or Kobe Bryant of recording.”

On the track Dedication 2, Wayne used the same beat Jay-Z had used for his “Show Me What You Got” song and fired back at Jay-Z’s claims. In interviews, Wayne made it clear that he didn’t appreciate Jay-Z’s remarks about hip-hop being dead. “How can hip-hop be dead if I’m still rapping?” he said. “If anything, it’s being reborn.”

Conclusion

The tension between Lil Wayne and Jay-Z has been a fixture in hip-hop for over two decades. From subtle shots to public beefs, the two rap icons have consistently traded barbs in their music.

Whether it was over Jay-Z’s claims of dominance or Wayne’s own rise to superstardom, the rivalry continues to captivate fans. While Jay-Z has long been seen as a mogul, Lil Wayne’s unapologetic stance and undeniable success have made him one of the most respected figures in rap. As their careers evolve, it’s clear that the rivalry between these two legends is far from over.