Lil Wayne adds another title to his portfolio. The rapper/skate enthusiast dropped a new mobile gaming app called “Sqvad Up” today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGeaOm0u_yF/?taken-by=liltunechi&hl=en
Borrowing from his former crew name “Sqad Up” before he started Young Money, the game is described in the App Store as:
Join Lil Wayne and the Sqvad as they hit the streets of New Orleans and grind their way from Hollygrove to the French Quarter.
Pick up drones along the way to help navigate and earn cash to unlock cool new skate gear that will help you get further and faster in style.
Developed by Utility NYC, the game’s audio component was curated by Wanye himself and features music from fellow New Orleans-native rapper/producer Nesby Phips [Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa]. This isn’t Wayne’s first work in the tech field. He is currently featured in a round of Samsung smartphone commercials and a co-owner of Jay Z’s Tidal streaming service.
Continue reading to see screenshots from the game and an exclusive interview with Phips where he talks about working on the project.
HipHopWired.com: You are mentioned as a music curator on the project, is that accurate? What does that entail?
Nesby Phips: Yes, that’s accurate. I did the music for the various scenes on the app. Much like an art gallery curator I filled in the audio space with music that represented the essence of the game. It was a fusion of the skating world and technology, in reference to the drone assistance throughout the gameplay, all while incorporating the sound of Hollygrove 0017th which is where the game is set. To add an extra layer of authenticity I hand crafted it all in my home studio in Hollygrove.
HHW: Tell us how you got involved with the project.
Phips: A successful round of checking in. I’ve got history with Tez, Mack & Tune [Wayne] from school, the city and mutual friends. I’m one of the rotating barbers in the camp and a fellow musician so there’s always a reason to check in with one another. This particular time I was rehearsing for Jazz Fest in New Orleans with my band The Grid. Sent Tez a video clip of rehearsal with a message saying “put me in where I can fit in, the band getting sick widit. Touring, studio work, video game scoring…….” He called back saying, “Your timing is crazy. We developing a gaming app for Wayne and we’re at the phase of adding the audio. You want to take a swing at it?” I agreed. I was on the phone with the developers from Utility NYC within the hour and the rest is history. Doing a track on an album was always dream but being apart of the move into a new market is even better. Feels like a 3 for 1 for me.
HHW: How hands on was Wayne with the music on the project?
Phips: As in the past Wayne is very hands on with anything he’s involved in and this project was no different. Even picked a joint from my Phipstrumentals project on iTunes. Glad to be apart of Sqvad Up in every way man.
