Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.
Jay-Z said it and now he may or may not be wishing he hadn’t.
It’s official, despite the mediocrity of Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne still managed to break Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne iTunes record and is predicted to sell 850,000 copies in the first week.
So what does this mean for Jay-Z? And what will Lil Wayne do now that his numbers reign supreme?
As we all know, record sales aren’t indicative of how good an artist is, but numbers do count in some aspect or another.
EXCLUSIVE: Lil Wayne & Game Need To Pay Homage To Jay-Z
What sets Jay-Z apart from the majority of rappers is that he is a superb businessman with lucrative business ventures and solid endorsement deals.
Jay-Z said, “I’m not a businessman/I’m a business, man.”
For that bar alone and along with his incredible music, Jay-Z has been able to claim the throne as one of the best rappers alive.
If Lil Wayne wants to legitimately take and uphold the title of the “best rapper alive,” he needs to become a real business, man.
EXCLUSIVE: Where The F*ck Has Weezy Gone?
Just being a rapper this day and age is almost laughable. The music industry and record sales have been hurt tremendously due to the digital age, so the most successful artists have ventured beyond the music to stay relevant and to remain on top.
It’s all about brand building.
Yes, Lil Wayne is the CEO of Young Money, and yes, he receives cuts from his artists’ overall income, but that isn’t enough to be rap’s head honcho.
Jay-Z is the co-owner of NBA team New Jersey Nets, CEO of Roc Nation, owner of Ace Of Spades liquor company, co-director of Budweiser beer company, investor of Carol’s Daughter hair products, owner of the 40/40 club, a real estate developer and he still receives profits from Rocawear after selling it for $204 million.
PHOTOS: Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings: Jay-Z Takes The Throne
Lil Wayne’s newest hobby is skateboarding and since he has a younger fan base than Jay-Z and Kanye West he should capitalize on it.
Lil Wayne should create a skateboard line of apparel and accessories, as well as brand himself as more than just a rapper.
Lil Wayne also learned how to play the guitar, if he were a true businessman, he’d create cool guitars for the guitar-playing music lovers.
It’s obvious Lil Wayne can sell records, but he isn’t a business man and to call yourself the best rapper alive, you need to get this money.
Birdman said “Wayne the best, he do the most, and he make the most money.”
All of which is total bullsh*t, but as Birdman continues, he proves my point exactly.
“How can you be the best if you don’t make the best money? If you’re number one and ain’t getting no money it don’t mean nothing.”
That’s a good question Birdman and now that it’s a proven fact that Jay-Z is crowned as Forbes Hip-Hop Cash King, Lil Wayne will have to do more than just rap.
If Lil Wayne doesn’t become a smarter businessman, then he will always be the SECOND best rapper alive.
With all that said, congrats Lil Wayne for selling a tremendous amount of albums in a time when people aren’t buying albums.
