After years locked up in label disputes, Lil Wayne‘s long-awaited new album, Tha Carter V, finally arrived last week. The 23-track album marks the fifth installment in the prolific rapper’s enormously successful, Grammy-winning series of albums. However, in addition to the baseline excitement of fans about a new Weezy LP, the significant buzz surrounding this specific release stems from a long fraught battle his parent label, Cash Money Records, and Birdman, the label’s leader and Wayne’s noted musical father figure.
Lil Wayne stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night in support of his new album, performing his newly released track “Dedicate” with The Roots, The Tonight Show’s house band. Rocking a fanny pack and floral pants, Lil Wayne also sat down with Jimmy Fallon for an interview segment, discussing a variety of topics with the late night talk show host.
Weezy first discussed the legality issues behind his new record, and why it took so long to officially release Tha Carter V. Lil Wayne said, “I’m an artist, I’m a musician,” and touched on the fact that when the business side of music becomes too intense, it takes away from artistry and creativity. He then went into discussing his love for skateboarding and how he got into skating, saying, “I had too much free time on my hands.” For the remainder of the interview, Lil Wayne discussed how he doesn’t write songs—he just goes into the studio and freestyles whatever is on his mind that day—and how remembering lyrics has always been a challenge for him.
Watch Lil Wayne’s interview with Jimmy Fallon below, as well as his in-studio performance of “Dedicate” with the legendary Roots.
Lil Wayne Interview – ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’
[Video: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]
Lil Wayne w/ The Roots – “Dedicate”