Poll: Is Lil Wayne the greatest rapper alive?
Rapper Lil Wayne, who performed at Chaifetz Arena Thursday. Photo by New York Times
Rapper Lil Wayne, who had the biggest-selling CD of 2008, returns to Chaifetz Arena Thursday four months after his last appearance there, to further lay claim to being the greatest rapper alive.
Lil Wayne is one of a kind, that’s for sure, and he’s never been hotter. But the greatest rapper alive? What would Kanye West say?
Loading …Tickets for the 7 p.m. Thursday show at Chaifetz Arena are $37.75-$77.75 at MetroTix outlets.
Here are some recent reviews from Lil Wayne’s I Am Music tour, which also features T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Gym Class Heroes, and Keri Hilson.
New York Times
“Everything was equally well organized, or perhaps equally disorganized: the song order, the song choice, when dancers appeared, what they would wear, what Wayne himself would wear, which songs would receive priority and which ones would be sped through, or skipped altogether…Lil Wayne’s main error was in mistaking his blockbuster for a masterpiece.”
Oakland Tribune
” ‘I am Music’ is, by far, the year’s most attractive hip-hop/R&B package tour. What is a little more startling is that, given all the talent on the bill, the show isn’t more enjoyable…Lil Wayne almost saved the show. First and foremost, he had a really cool stage design, perhaps the most innovative we’ve seen in 2008…(He) sounded pretty strong at times. Yet, his set list was questionable. He spent too much on his mixtape material and not enough time, especially in the middle of the concert, on his radio hits.”
Cleveland.com
“(Lil Wayne) did something few hip-hop artists have been able to pull off: namely, thoroughly entertain an entire arena…To his credit, Lil Wayne didn’t skimp on razzle-dazzle. His elaborate production included a light show to rival that of any rock concert. Platforms were raised and lowered to bring various combinations of backing musicians into the mix. The extravaganza also could’ve given the Trans-Siberian Orchestra a run for its money in the pyrotechnics department. The verbal fireworks were impressive, too.”
Hollywood Reporter
“While not possessed of the most mellifluous rap, (Lil Wayne) makes up for it with a charismatic and straightforward stage presence…If there is a weakness in Wayne’s arsenal, it is his vocal limitation, but it was masked by his immense lyrical capabilities. He reached deep on some notes, then easily soared into a rasp that would have made Tom Waits proud.”
Dallas Morning News
“Lil Wayne deftly demonstrated his ability to shift moods simply by altering the inflection of his unique, vivid voice. Alternately smooth as satin, syrupy and stoned or rougher than Tom Waits with bronchitis, Lil Wayne can spin out astonishing narratives, laced with profanity, bravado and plenty of theatricality and never failing to electrify a packed arena.”
Kevin C. Johnson has covered the St. Louis' music and nightlife scene for the past decade. 
Hmm NO!
Lil’ Wayne is getting his 15 minutes. I may be wrong, but I humbly suggest that people will soon tire of his delivery and enhanced production. I may be on the mature side of a generation gap. Is Lil’ Wayne able to battle with smooth delivery such as LL Cool J “Goin’ back to Cali” or “I’m that type of guy,” maybe not?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
He is NOT the greatest rapper alive. He may have the hottest selling album, and may can sell out shows but he is NOT the greatest rapper alive. You still have NAS, Jay-Z, Nelly…o.k. well maybe not Nelly (lol) but Nas and Jay-Z still get top rankings in my book.
I think Kanye would have to say NO on this one. Kevin don’t ever post another poll like this early in the morning and get me all upset before I can even get my day started…LOL
Greatest rapper alive? No disrespect, but he is not the greatest. Right now, I would say he is the hottest rapper. Different from the greatest.
The greatest is Jay-Z……..
I agree, fully, with Ms STL! Kevin I am removing 3 cool points and issuing 1 demerit for subjecting me to this. While I can certainly understand your motivation to get us to blog…unfortunately, at this rate, the only thing you’ll be getting us to do is jab plastic silverware in our eyes for having read this. “Greatest of all time”, you asked. Please allow me to retort…BWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Lil Wayne is entertaining, proven by the scores of pre- and post- adolescent schoolgirls that worship the ground he walks on; however, to say that he is the greatest would be an insult to the entire rap game. Will someone please call down to Bermuda and have 2Pac return for a world tour! This mess is just plain, ludacris!
One-Eyed Willie,
I didn’t say he was the greatest or the best…he did.
I’m asking what you think…is all!
My tastes would run more toward Nas, Jay-Z, Rakim, Common, etc.
Just stopping back by to say that I’ve calmed down and in know way am going to blame The Blender or Kevin C Johnson for getting me all worked up and upset at Lil Wayne this morning. lol
I’m trying to find Tupac now so he can shut Lil Wayne down…LOL
greetings from planet weezy, “i am not the same as you, i am a martian”…. wtf?!?! whatever, lil’ wayne! that has to be one of the oddest rap songs i have ever heard…
You have to write your own lyrics in my book to even be considered a Good Rapper….so best Rapper Alive Never That….I am old school like LU 95, in my book Cube is way better than that Brainless music Lil Wayne puts out
How about Scarface or Devin the Dude. That’s talent.
I think that Wayne’s style is kitschy and entertaining, but I don’t think that he has the strong and consistent flow of say Jay-Z. Wayne does the gimmicky and psychadelic thing with his voice, and sometimes offers the catchiest of phrases…but sometimes he rambles in his rhymes.
No. He raps about crazy stuff- just makes up crap as he goes and records it. I prefer rap that has a message. Use it as a weapon against “the Man.” Talk about politics, why we are closing schools but building jails, etc.
Rap should have a powerful message…. not just a hook and a beat.
@mb - Devin The Dude, Really?
He is the HOTTEST rapper alive (at the moment) but no he is NOT the “greatest” rapper alive… I like Wayne. I think he has come along way from his days with the Hot Boys. BUT, to say the “greatest” rapper is a pretty big statement. His delievery when he first switched up his flow was unique and fresh. Now it’s REALLY annoying because he sounds like he is taking a MAJOR crap that just won’t come out on most of his songs… Plus lyrically he really doesn’t talk about anything that’s major. He has nice lines, but nothing thats relivant…
To me when you say “greatest” rapper alive, that would mean someone who not only has a unique delievery but also tells a story and talks about things and makes you think when they are rapping. And sorry but there hasn’t been a rapper like that since Pac.
Snoop is the best, not lil wayne.
I thought about this exact story this morning while driving to work, listening to Eminem. I am a big fan of Pac and Biggie but i listend to Em’s lyrics and content for the first time in a long time (i usually rap along) and i have to say i said to myself, i think Em is the best rapper alive. Lil Wayne is topping the charts now but watch Em outshine him when his next album is realeased hopefully sometime soon. Lil Wayne is catchy, radio hits and this is why he has become so big. He has been around for what, 10 years, why is he now just selling half a mil his first week? I have all his albums as i buy all types of music to support the artists and keep them going but i think he went a little too far by calling himself “The Best Rapper Alive”…. just my 2 cents..
I was going to say Eminem
I respect the fact that Eminem does not have to release a new album every year to gain notierity. Rappers with vocabulary and substance is what I lean towards, not poppy/hard beats, where all they do is repeat the same chorus.
Underground scene speaking….Del tha Funky Homosapien= Great
weezy is far from the greatest rapper alive. sure he has hooks, he has punchlines, he drives the white kids crazy, but when it comes down to it he doesn’t tell stories with his rhymes like jeezy (who IS the greatest rapper alive) and T.I. weezy’s music is simply words and beats.
he’s a great entertainer, but not the greatest rapper alive at all.
I believe Lil Wayne’s best work is WAY behind him.
When Lil Wayne was 15, the Cash Money Millionaires were still together. If anyone wants to hear the classic rap that still blasts in my car, check this link out. I still respect Wayne, but his new style is very disappointing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxuosk6r2ZE
Yes he is 15 in the above link and hotter than ever!
Ok so ill admit Lil Wayne is my favorite rapper of all time always has been since he release tha carter 1, but to say hes the greatest rapper alive can not be justified because there are better emcees and lyricists than him. He is undoubtedly in my opinion in the top 5 but for sure not the best, he still has many flaws even though i love all his flaws thats what makes him my favorite but ill admit Jay-Z is better, Eminem is better, Andre 3000 is better. And that is why i voted no.
You guys need to chill out..all he asked was if Lil Wayne was not that he is! But no, I dont think he is. I agree with LU 95.