In a recent interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Lil Wayne drew parallels between himself and basketball icon LeBron James, highlighting their shared experiences of entering their respective fields as teenagers and maintaining remarkable success and consistency.
Drawing a comparison, Wayne expressed, “I’d say I’m like LeBron. I released my first album by myself when I was 14 years old. That’s the album that went platinum. Since then, I’ve been doing this at this faster rate, just like he did.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wayne, who was just 11 years old at the time, became the youngest artist to sign with Cash Money Records.
Alongside fellow teenagers Juvenile and Turk, they formed the group Hоt Boys, releasing their debut album, “Get It How U Live,” in 1997.
In contrast, when LeBron James graced the cover of Sports Illustrated at 17, he was hailed as “The Chosen One” during his junior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
While LeBron James has achieved tremendous success in the NBA, winning four titles, earning 19 All-Star selections, and securing four MVP awards, Lil Wayne has carved his own path in the music industry. With five Grammy wins and the establishment of Young Money Entertainment, which signed artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj, Wayne has left an indelible mark.
Reflecting on their longevity and constant speculation about their future endeavors, Wayne drew a comparison to NFL quarterback Tom Brady, stating, “Remember Tom Brady? Every year, even when he was winning the Super Bowl and everything, people wondered, ‘Is this the year he’s going to retire?’” Wayne expressed frustration when asked about the release date of “Tha Carter VI,” emphasizing his commitment to his craft and the enduring demand for his music.
Wayne also touched upon a song collaboration with Kevin Durant, expressing disappointment that Durant revealed details about their work on “Carter VI” before it was finalized. Despite the setback, Wayne humorously remarked, “Now that you’ve said something, it’s not going on Carter VI.”