As news arrived this past weekend that DJ Drama and Lil Wayne were reuniting for the fourth installment of the Dedication series, fans were intrigued and excited. After Sorry 4 The Wait was lacking a little something and Tha Carter 4 was met with a critical yawn despite massive commercial success, fans and critics alike were yearning for the “Mixtape Weezy.” A lot of Lil Wayne’s commercial success can be attributed to the street foundation he built after carving out one of the most illustrious mixtape runs in Hip-Hop history. Dedication 1 through 3, Da Drought 1 through 3, No Ceilings, and more were what established Lil Wayne as a major player in the rap game while shedding the image of being Cash Money’s child mascot. After his breakout performance on The Dedication, he showed that it was no fluke with a mixtape classic, Dedication 2. The rest, as they say, is history. Forays into rock, autotune, skating, singing, and a ton of more things may distracted Weezy from his untouchable mixtape status. However, a reunion with DJ Drama might be just what the Carter ordered. Hip-Hop Wired takes a look back at 25 of the songs from Tunechi’s incredible mixtape run that took the YMCMB rapper to the next level. Hit the jump to listen up. MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED! • When The Money Goes: 8 Rappers Who Turned To A Life Of Crime (And Got Caught) • The Dark Knight Rises x Under Armour – Gotham City Rogues Collection [PHOTOS] • Drake Buys $7.7 Million Mansion [PHOTOS] • Hip-Hop Wired Presents: A Tribute To BET’s Rap City: Tha Basement [VIDEO] • Beyoncé Shows Off Blue Ivy [PHOTO] • Rick Ross Talks Grilling Tilapia And Eating Cheese With Bon Appétit [PHOTOS] • Bangin Candy: New Basketball Wives: LA Star Brooke Bailey [PHOTOS] • 10 Nas Albums, 10 Memorable Album Covers [PHOTOS] • A Journey Through The Life And Legacy Of Nelson Mandela [PHOTOS] — Photo: Terry Richardson
