Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, Luke gives his take on the latest feud to grip hip-hop.
When a band breaks up, it's something like a divorce. There may have been multiple infidelities and numerous trips to the therapist, but those involved decide nothing can save it.
Want an example? Just look at what's happening with Lil Wayne and his onetime mentor and business partner, Birdman, the chief executive of Cash Money Records.
Last week, Lil Wayne sued Birdman and Cash Money in federal court in Manhattan. The New Orleans-born rapper claims Cash Money owes him and his company, Young Money Entertainment, $51 million. That includes his share of the profits from the albums made by Drake and Nicki Minaj, who are caught in the middle of rap's latest melodrama.
As a former member of the 2 Live Crew, I know about music breakups very well. Once lawsuits are filed, it's very difficult to come back together. Before a special one-time performance at LIV last Thanksgiving eve, I had not been onstage with Fresh Kid Ice and Brother Marquis (two of the four original members) since 1991. After 14 years of barely speaking to one another, we recently inked a deal to do a 2015 tour.
We put our differences aside to give our fans what they want.
Success has a way of tearing people apart in the music game. It takes a long time to get over the hate. Yet it's still hard to imagine Lil Wayne, who called Birdman his "father," walking away from the label he's called home since he was a teenager.
Just like the great Roman empire, Cash Money is being torn apart from within. But if Lil Wayne is not getting paid, I can understand why he's going to court.
The lawsuit could be a wild publicity stunt to generate hype around his long-delayed, highly anticipated album, The Carter V. Even I can't wait to listen to it. Lil Wayne is one of the most brilliant rappers.
According to Lil Wayne's lawsuit, Birdman refuses to release the album even though it's finished. I wouldn't be surprised if Birdman suddenly pays Lil Wayne what he is owed, drops the new album, and then throws a party at LIV to show everything is cool.
I hope they sit down and work out their differences. If they need a mediator, I am available.
Tune in to Luke on The Andy Slater Show every Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. on Miami's Sports Animal 940 AM.
Follow Luke on Twitter: @unclelukereal1 and @unclelukesempir.
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