Lil Wayne may be called the GOAT, but who influenced him?
The Young Money legend was the first guest on DJ Khaled’s new Amazon Music podcast “The First One.” During the 45-minute interview, he was asked to name his favorite MCs of all time.
Tunechi’s top 5 started off with two of hip-hop’s greatest, JAY-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. Wayne also gave props to Noreaga aka N.O.R.E. “I was the hugest N.O.R.E. fan,” said Wayne of the Queens-bred rapper. “He had this thing about him where he could be from anywhere and you fu**ed with him.”
His top 5 wouldn’t be complete without Cam’ron. “I was the biggest Cam fan,” said Weezy of the Dipset rapper.
You never know who you may inspire in life or in what way…This is a list of those who must of impacted Lil Wayne in some way for different reasons Creating his own Masterpieces & becoming LEGENDARYI’m so HUMBLED https://t.co/BmbR78AR5C
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) October 17, 2020
He also gave Missy Elliott her flowers, crediting the rap icon as one of his biggest influences who inspired his early songs including “Block Burner” and “Tha Block Is Hot.”
“That was my favorite because that would be why I was making so many sounds,” said Wayne. “But you know Missy was into the whole ‘brrrt,’ you know what I meant? She about to make the ‘hehehehe ha.’”
When he was in the studio with Mannie Fresh, the producer would encourage him to throw in the “ha ha” ad libs. “I was like, ‘Man, he want me to do a sound for every damn line!’ And so the ‘Block Burner’ song was my best favorite song because my favorite artist was Missy Elliott.”
After hearing Wayne’s praise, a humbled Missy responded. “I am so GRATEFUL. You always showing LOVE & mentioning me as your inspiration,” she tweeted. “You also have INSPIRED so many artists also used 2 get Clowned 4 making sound effects in my songs but I’m happy u & Manny saw the genius in it.”
EPISODE 1 #TheFirstOne is here with my brother @LilTunechi only on @amazonmusic . RIGHT NOW ON @amazonmusic enjoy .
BIG PODTALK THIS A AUDIO MOVIE! https://t.co/hmx8nvONYd pic.twitter.com/EKbPKqoPaN— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) October 15, 2020