Lil Wayne performing
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for BACARDI
Since boldly declaring himself the “best rapper alive” on his seminal 2005 album, Tha Carter II, New Orleans’ own Lil Wayne has consistently demonstrated why he deserves the moniker. From his early days rising through the ranks with the Hot Boys alongside Juvenile, B.G., and Turk under the Cash Money Records banner, Lil Wayne has built a monumental career spanning decades. Today, he is rightfully celebrated as one of the best-selling music artists globally, and as this curated list of the Best Lil Wayne Songs reveals, his profound influence on hip-hop culture is truly undeniable and immeasurable. Throughout the mid-2000s, his distinctive free-flowing style was inescapable, shaping the sound of an era. Now, we delve into a countdown of the top 25 Lil Wayne tracks, because let’s face it, it’s undeniably Wayne’s world, and we’re all just living in it.
Listen to the best Lil Wayne songs on Apple Music and Spotify.
25: Drop The World
“Drop the World,” much like many of Weezy’s releases, had an air of legend surrounding it even before its official debut. Featured on the Rebirth album, it quickly emerged as a standout, not solely for its dense, verse-driven structure. Lil Wayne’s rise to prominence coincided with Eminem’s well-documented struggles with addiction. Consequently, Eminem’s comeback in 2009 ignited widespread anticipation for a collaboration between these two rap titans, who surprisingly had never officially worked together. “Drop the World” marked their first, and arguably most impactful, collaboration, setting the stage for two more tracks they would create together in the following year.
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Lil Wayne – Drop The World ft. Eminem (Official Music Video) ft. Eminem
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24: 30 Minutes to New Orleans
For Lil Wayne’s dedicated fanbase, his career journey was often marked by anticipation, delays, and leaks. During 2007 and 2008, platforms like DatPiff and SOHH became havens for eagerly awaited new Wayne music. These leaks generated an unprecedented level of buzz. Questions swirled: Would full, properly mixed, and mastered versions of these tracks ever surface? For many, the answer was no. “30 Minutes to New Orleans” stands as perhaps the most iconic example of this phenomenon. Initially previewed in The Carter documentary, featuring Wayne rapping the track on a tour bus, fans endured what felt like an eternity before a complete version finally emerged.
23: Georgia… Bush
“Georgia… Bush” holds a unique position within Lil Wayne’s extensive catalog, and indeed, within the broader spectrum of rap music. It’s a track that showcases Wayne’s versatility, akin to a comedian delivering a powerful performance in a serious, dramatic role. The lyrical content is sharp and politically charged, and the hook is undeniably impactful. What more could you ask for? Dedication 2, a mixtape released during the pivotal period between Tha Carter IV and Tha Carter III, played a crucial role in propelling Wayne to even greater heights. Concluding the mixtape with “Georgia… Bush” stands as one of the most memorable and impactful moments in Lil Wayne’s career, demonstrating his willingness to engage with socially relevant themes.
22: Nightmare of the Bottom
While never officially released as a single, “Nightmares of the Bottom” is undeniably one of the defining tracks that shaped Tha Carter IV. In the preceding years, Wayne had cultivated a rockstar persona, and fresh from his time at Rikers Island, he chose an MTV Unplugged session to debut this new song. The rockstar image was undeniably resonating. “Nightmares” possesses a beat that evokes an earlier era in Wayne’s career, yet its placement amidst the official singles from C4 served to further highlight its distinct and standout quality within the album.
21: Problems
As you progress through Tha Carter V, a resounding realization sets in: the protracted wait for this album was indeed justified. The album bursts into existence with immediate impact, dispelling any lingering doubts accumulated during the years of delays. By the time you reach “Problems,” it becomes unequivocally clear that Lil Wayne remains at the pinnacle of his craft. He masterfully reminds listeners of his unparalleled ability to craft compelling hooks with his distinctive flow. The execution here is so seamless that it’s easy to overlook the sheer brilliance of his wordplay. His vocal inflection further elevates the hook, imbuing it with an unexpectedly profound and existential quality.
20: I Miss My Dawgs
“I Miss My Dawgs” resonates deeply on multiple levels. It presents a young Lil Wayne, candidly and honestly addressing his rifts with former labelmates – all while still signed to the very same label. Furthermore, it served as an early demonstration of Wayne’s remarkably elastic vocal range, capable of shifting instantaneously from a high-pitched croak to a gritty rasp. By the time of 2004’s Tha Carter, Wayne had already cultivated a compelling backstory that was solidifying his legendary status in the rap game.
This image from the “I Miss My Dawgs” music video represents Lil Wayne’s early career and introspective songwriting.
19: 3 Peat
The opening track of what is widely considered Wayne’s most monumental album is nothing short of epic. Set against a Maestro-produced beat, Wayne unleashes a relentless barrage of rhymes for a full three minutes straight. Carter III was the album where he successfully balanced raw rap prowess with mainstream pop appeal, venturing into experimental territory with tracks like “Phone Home” and adopting various personas in songs like “Dr. Carter.” “3 Peat” is so commanding and impressive that it essentially grants Wayne carte blanche to explore any creative direction he chooses throughout the rest of the album.
18: Money To Blow (Birdman, featuring Lil Wayne and Drake)
The collaborative synergy between Lil Wayne, Drake, and Birdman resulted in a string of tracks, many of which achieved certified hit status. These songs often found homes on Birdman’s projects or Lil Wayne mixtapes that didn’t receive official commercial releases. “Money To Blow” most perfectly encapsulates the opulent Birdman lifestyle that brought these artists together. It features a quintessential early-Drake hook and culminates in what has become one of Wayne’s most prescient and often-quoted lyrics: “We gon be all right if we put Drake on every hoooook.”
This still from the “Money To Blow” video shows Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Drake, highlighting their early collaborative era.
17: Make It Rain (Fat Joe, featuring Lil Wayne)
One of Lil Wayne’s earliest standout guest appearances emerged from an era that felt perpetually ongoing in hip-hop. And remarkably, his contribution is solely the hook! Wayne’s knack for crafting catchy and memorable hooks is often an underrated aspect of his artistry, particularly in his role as a featured artist. The mere presence of a rapper of Wayne’s burgeoning stature on a track with Fat Joe signaled the rapid transformations occurring within hip-hop culture throughout the 2000s.
16: Back That Azz Up (Juvenile, featuring Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne)
“Back That Azz Up” rightfully earns its place among the best Lil Wayne songs, despite technically not being his lead track. His contribution is limited to a featured verse, specifically the outro. While not showcasing his most intricate lyricism, the song has become an anthem deeply ingrained in Black American celebrations and served as an early indicator of Wayne’s destined stardom. His sheer presence on the track speaks volumes about his charisma, even before his solo career fully took off.
This image from the “Back That Azz Up” video features Juvenile and a young Lil Wayne, showcasing his early career beginnings.
15: Tie My Hands (featuring Robin Thicke)
Lil Wayne has frequently used his music as a platform to address the profound impact of Hurricane Katrina and the Bush Administration’s response. While some tracks tackled these issues with overt aggression, “Tie My Hands” takes a more introspective and somber approach, largely due to the featured vocals of Robin Thicke. Thicke’s restrained yet hopeful tone provides a powerful counterpoint to Wayne’s often frantic expressions of grief and frustration. Few artists are as intrinsically linked to their city as Wayne is to New Orleans, and this song poignantly captures that connection.
14: Grown Man (featuring Curren$y)
Wayne created a number of songs in the vein of “Grown Man”: relaxed, smooth tracks that flirted with seduction but never fully committed to becoming overt love songs. He arguably reached his peak in this mode on Tha Carter II, where his burgeoning fame and artistic power were in perfect equilibrium. As his stardom ascended further, this laid-back style became less frequent. “Grown Man” is a classic not only for its mellow beat but also for featuring Curren$y, the undisputed king of chill. Despite their long collaborative history, this marks Curren$y’s sole appearance on a Lil Wayne studio album track.
This image from the “Grown Man” video shows Lil Wayne and Curren$y in a relaxed setting, emphasizing the song’s laid-back vibe.
13: This Is The Carter
The collaborations between Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh, while ultimately fewer than many fans hoped for, have aged incredibly well, maturing like fine wine. The line “A lot more rich and a whole lot smarter” wasn’t just true on Tha Carter; it held true for the subsequent two albums as well. Wayne’s mumbled declaration of “finally perfect” wasn’t yet fully realized at this stage, but the conviction in his delivery made you believe it was only a matter of time.
12: Go DJ
“Go DJ” stands as the quintessential anthem of the golden era of Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh’s creative partnership. If you were limited to choosing just one song from Tha Carter to take to a desert island, “Go DJ” would be the undeniable choice. Wayne sounds incredibly hungry on this track, rapping with an energy that suggests he could continue indefinitely. In some ways, he did, although the song would essentially mark the end of his consistent professional collaborations with Mannie Fresh for many years to come.
This still from the “Go DJ” music video is a classic image of Lil Wayne during his early Cash Money era with Mannie Fresh.
11: Dr. Carter
“Dr. Carter” is arguably the most unexpected success in Lil Wayne’s extensive career. Not only is it a concept song, a style that had largely fallen out of mainstream favor by 2008, but it’s also remarkably literal in its execution. Adding to its unconventional nature, the concept itself is quite ridiculous. However, the fact that it works so effectively and possesses an undeniable charm is a testament to the charisma that allowed Wayne to live up to his “best rapper alive” claim when Young Money’s Tha Carter III was released. (The album achieved platinum status in its first week and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.)
10: Fireman
For an entire generation of listeners, “Fireman” served as their introduction to Lil Wayne. It may have been their first exposure to A Bathing Ape apparel in a music video, or their initial recognition of the Phantom featured on the cover of Tha Carter II. For others, it marked a pivotal moment in Wayne’s noticeable transformation into a more diverse, freely associative rapper. “Fireman” unequivocally demonstrated the immense potential that Lil Wayne possessed.
This image from the “Fireman” video is iconic, representing Lil Wayne’s transformation and introduction to a wider audience.
9: We Takin’ Over (DJ Khaled, featuring Akon, TI, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Birdman and Fat Joe)
While another DJ Khaled track ranks even higher on this list, the original “We Takin’ Over,” and Wayne’s subsequent freestyle over the instrumental, provided irrefutable evidence that his claim to be the best was not mere hyperbole, but reality. The song’s central theme resonated perfectly with Wayne’s career trajectory, and the line “Feed me rappers or feed me beats” became the defining mantra of his career-defining run.
8: Right Above It (featuring Drake)
“Right Above It” arrived at a crucial juncture in Lil Wayne’s career. His undisputed reign as the king of rap was nearing its end, coinciding with the impending start of his incarceration at Rikers Island. Simultaneously, Drake’s star was ascending rapidly. Kane Beatz was also producing some of the era’s most impactful beats, and this track stands as a prime example. It’s a standout Wayne/Drake collaboration that showcases both artists in an uncharacteristically celebratory mood, yet still laced with a hint of underlying aggression.
This still from the “Right Above It” video features Lil Wayne and Drake during a pivotal moment in their careers.
7: I’m On One (DJ Khaled, featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne)
This track stands as one of DJ Khaled’s finest singles, if not his absolute best. It embodies vintage Drake and Rick Ross, and the signature “DJ Khaled!” drop is almost chillingly effective. It’s difficult to imagine a better beat featuring these three artists at that specific point in time. However, the true show-stopping moment comes courtesy of Wayne, who launches his verse with one of the most memorable opening lines of his career: “I walk around the club… f__k everybody.”
6: Shooter (featuring Robin Thicke)
Wayne consistently demonstrated his confidence and eclectic taste in collaborators, a trait that eventually led him to explore the rock-infused sound of Rebirth. If “Tie My Hands” serves as a somber tribute, then “Shooter” is a slow-burning, seductive track that gradually escalates into a series of piercingly insightful moments, a stark contrast to the sobriety of “Tie My Hands.” “Shooter” represents Robin Thicke’s most compelling collaboration with a rapper and serves as a powerful and brilliant indictment of anti-Southern biases: “If we’re too simple, y’all don’t get the basics.”
This image from the “Shooter” video with Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke highlights their unexpected but successful collaboration.
5: Stuntin’ Like My Daddy (featuring Birdman)
Among all of Lil Wayne and Birdman’s Cash Money Records collaborations, “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” reigns supreme as the most essential. It boasts the catchiest hook of any song they’ve created together – and arguably the most memorable hook of that entire era – and features some of their most classic verses. For mainstream audiences primarily familiar with Wayne, this track transformed Birdman into a household name. “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” possesses such enduring appeal that its legacy will likely outlive the feud that ultimately fractured their collaborative partnership.
4: Mr. Carter (featuring Jay-Z)
Tha Carter III solidified Lil Wayne’s position as one of the most pivotal rappers of his generation. It begins with the bombastic and melodramatic “3 Peat,” setting the stage for Wayne’s victory lap throughout the rest of the album. “Mr. Carter” transcends being merely a track where two rap titans trade verses over a classic soul sample; it represents one of the greatest metaphorical baton passes and endorsements in hip-hop history. Jay-Z’s presence on the song held particular significance given the duo’s history of rumored feuds and potential collaborations that never materialized.
This image from the “Mr. Carter” video featuring Lil Wayne and Jay-Z represents a monumental collaboration in hip-hop.
3: Lollipop (featuring Static Major)
While T-Pain popularized Auto-Tune, it was Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” that truly ushered the vocal effect into mainstream acceptance. Now ubiquitous, “Lollipop” remains one of the most unforgettable moments of that era. Lyrically less dense than much of Wayne’s work at the time, it compensated with one of his most undeniably earworm hooks and became his biggest crossover single to date. “Fireman” and the majority of singles from Tha Carter were significant hits, but for a period of months, “Lollipop” was inescapable in American popular culture, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
2: Hustler Musik
For those fans who consider Carter II to be Lil Wayne’s magnum opus, “Hustler Musik” is perhaps the quintessential representation of a “they don’t make ’em like this anymore” beat. It perfectly showcases the unwavering confidence of Wayne’s flow. Even before achieving global superstardom, Wayne exuded the self-belief of someone who had already reached the pinnacle of success.
This image from the “Hustler Musik” video embodies the confident and classic vibe of Lil Wayne’s Carter II era.
1: A Milli
With “Lollipop,” Lil Wayne crafted one of the most successful crossover singles in history, solidifying the complete hip-hop dominance he had been proclaiming for years. If any lingering doubts remained, “A Milli” definitively proved not only his ability to thrive in the pop realm but also his unparalleled rapping prowess, surpassing virtually any competitor. The beat is instantly iconic, providing the perfect backdrop for Wayne’s unmatched charisma. On “A Milli,” Lil Wayne unequivocally lived up to the title of best rapper alive.
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