Image via Complex Original
Two of rap’s biggest juggernauts of the last decade, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne have an expected competitive relationship. Over the years there have been embracing shout-outs from both sides but not without an equal amount of slyness, slick shots, and tension.
Mutual respect has always quelled notions of an all out lyrical war, but earlier this week Weezy took an unmistakable shot at Jigga when the song “It’s Good” (along with the rest of his new album, Tha Carter IV) leaked. To make sure you’re all caught you up to speed, we’ve put together Frenemies: A History of Lil Wayne & Jay-Z’s Relationship. Read ahead to see the complicated relationship between two of the best rappers in the game.
RELATED: The 100 Best Lil Wayne Songs
Lil Wayne Releases The Prefix, Raps Over Nine Jay-Z Songs
Date: February 2004
What happened? After Jay-Z dropped The Black Album in November 2003 and “retired,” Wayne got opportunistic and jumped on a bunch of the album’s instrumentals. Of The Prefix’s 13 tracks, nine of them were freestyles over Jay-Z songs.
Complex says: On The Prefix, it’s unclear whether Wayne was trying to body Jay on his own shit or if he was simply paying some homage. But it definitely felt like Wayne was gunning for Jay’s spot at the top of the mountain.
Lil Wayne Pays Respect to Jay-Z on “Bring It Back”
Date: June 2004
Lyric: “Best rapper alive/Since the best rapper retired.”
Complex says: Although Wayne was supremely confident in his abilities, he was still a Jay-Z fan at heart. With Jay out the way, Wayne made it crystal clear that he was coming for that spot but he was still intent on doing it respectfully.
Wayne Considers Signing to Def Jam But Then Stays With Cash Money
Date: February 2005
What happened? After the successful release of Tha Carter, Wayne was a free agent. Hov reached out and tried to recruit Wayne to Def Jam. Although Wayne considered Jay's offer, he ultimately choose to stay with Cash Money and start his own imprint, Young Money.
Complex says: At the time, Wayne signing under Jay made a lot of sense. It would give him the exposure he needed to be on top of the game and—despite his unique relationship with Birdman—he wouldn't have had to worry about the money problems that plague Cash Money. But in the end, it didn't matter. Wayne stayed with Cash Money and he still became the superstar he was destined to be.
Lil Wayne Compares Himself To Jay-Z on “Dough Is What I Got”
Date: November 2006
Lyric: “When it comes to this recording/I must be LeBron James if he’s Jordan/No, I want rings for my performance/I’m more Kobe Bryant of an artist.”
Complex says: Rapping over Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got,” Wayne came up with this bold analogy to show us all that the game had changed. The most revealing part? Wayne bodied the Just Blaze beat way better than Jay did. For Weezy’s analogy to work, Jay was more like Jordan when he was on the Wizards.
Jay-Z Sends Subliminal Shots At Lil Wayne On “Trouble”
Date: November 2006
Lyric: “I can only view lil’ niggas like lil' niggas/But in lieu of lil' niggas trying to play that boy/I *phew, phew* lil' niggas with the latest toy/Unlike you lil' nigga, I'm a grown ass man/Big shoes to fill nigga, grown ass pants/Probably hustled with your pops, go ask your parents/It's apparent you're staring at a legend who/Put a few lil' niggas in their place before/Trying to eat without saying their grace before/Blasphemous bastard get your faith restored.”
Complex says: By this time, Wayne’s consistency prompted many fans to argue that he was the best rapper alive. Meanwhile, Jay was back from retirement and bent on reclaiming his spot. We couldn’t help but wonder if Jay was subliminally talking about Wayne on here because he kept referring to “Lil.” The last line on here was a clear reminder to the young rapper that the God MC is not to be toyed with.
Lil Wayne Says “I’m Better Than Jay-Z” In Complex
Date: December 2006
What happened? In an interview with Complex, Lil Wayne explained his feelings on Jay-Z coming out of retirement saying, “I don't like what he's saying about how he had to come back because hip-hop's dead and we need him. What the fuck do you mean? If anything it's reborn, so he's probably having a problem with that. You left on a good note, and all of the artists were saying, 'Yo, this is Jay's house. He's the best.' Now he comes back and still thinks it's his house...It's not your house anymore, and I'm better than you."
Complex says: One of the clearest shots between the two, Wayne wanted the number one spot in the game and he wasn’t up for sharing it.
Lil Wayne Apologizes To Jay-Z For Saying He’s Better Than Him
Date: February 2007
What happened? Backpedaling from his bold statement he made just two months prior, when Wayne was asked about it in XXL he said, “I wanna apologize to Jay and his family and friends, because I was asked that question and they put it in there like I was just feeling like, ‘Oh, you know what, nigga? I’m better than Jay!’ They came at me like, ‘So you say you’re the best. Can you say that you’re better than everybody? Would you say you’re better than Jay?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, nigga, I’m better than everybody!’ But I’d like to throw that apology out there ’cause of whatever trouble I caused, I ain’t want that to happen.”
Complex says: The catch here was Wanye wasn’t necessarily interested in clarifying how he felt, he just seemed worried about coming off disrespectful. There was nothing to suggest he didn’t really think he was better than Jay. And Wayne, please don’t act like you were misquoted. You know who said you know what about you know who but let’s just keep that between us and everyone who reads Complex.
Jay Takes Shots At Lil Wayne On T.I.'s "Watch What You Say To Me"
Date: July 2007
Lyric: “I hear you baiting me lately, I been doing my best just to stay hater free/Still watch what you say to me/Sooner or later I take you up on your offer/And put you all in your place like I'm replacing your father/You talking to the author the architect of The Blueprint/My DNA in your music, motherfucker you stupid?”
Complex says: Jay wasn’t naming names but the message was clear. In a reference to Weezy’s comments claiming that he was the better rapper, Jay let off some warning shots. Again, these were just reminders. It was Hov’s way of saying, “You ever heard ‘Takeover?’ Don’t get ethered!”
Jay-Z And Lil Wayne Team Up For “Hello Brooklyn 2.0”
Date: November 2007
What happened? The two collaborated on a song for the first time in 2007 on a track called “Hello Brooklyn 2.0.” The song appeared on Jay-Z’s American Gangster and was one of the last songs recorded for the album. Originally a Lil Wayne song, the track was almost completed when it was handed over to Jay-Z.
The two were never in the studio together during the recording process. Lil Wayne said of the collaboration, “When I was asked the question, I told them it wasn't even a question—he's got it. Everybody in the world knows how I feel about Jay...He's the king, utmost respect.
Complex says: Without a doubt, “Hello Brooklyn 2.0” was one of the weakest cuts on Hov’s excellent American Gangster. Wayne was on fire at the time yet Jay got a less than stellar song out of him. Could Wayne have been sabotaging Hov’s album?
Lil Wayne Comes Out For Surprise Performance With Jay-Z At Hammerstein Ballroom
Date: November 2007
What happened? During his show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, Jay-Z brought out Lil Wayne to perform “Hello Brooklyn 2.0.” He then allowed Lil Wayne to get into “Duffle Bag Boy.” During the performance Wayne pointed to Jay-Z yelling, “The best rapper alive,” and then back to himself with the words, “The next rapper in line.”
Complex says: Wayne once again deferred to Jay, but as usual he did so while also volunteering himself as the heir to the throne. This was perhaps as close as the two had ever been, both physically or otherwise.
Lil Wayne Reveals He Has Two Tattoos of Jay-Z’s “Lucky Me”
Date: July 2008
What happened? In People magazine’s “Four Albums That Changed My Life,” Lil Wayne named Jay-Z’s In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. He said of the album, “‘Lucky Me’ is my favorite song. Wayne revealed, “I actually have ‘Lucky Me’ tattooed on my neck. And I have a verse of that song tattooed on my leg.”
Complex says: Lil Wayne had long made it known that he was a Jay-Z fan but this revelation took it up a notch. The tattoo’s cool, but it’s also forever. But then again Wayne’s got so many tattoos all over his body what does he care if he writes a Jay-Z verse here or gets a teardrop there?
Jay-Z Calls Lil Wayne His Heir On “Mr. Carter”
Date: June 2008
Lyric: “I'm right here, in my chair/With my crown and my dear/Queen B, as I share/Mic time with my heir/Young Carter, go farther/Go further, go harder/Is that not why we came?/And if not, then why bother?”
Complex says: Everything being on the up-and-up, Jay decided to return the favor that was Wayne’s verse on “Hello Brooklyn 2.0” with a guest appearance on Tha Carter III’s “Mr. Carter.” With Jay feeling confident that he was back in the driver’s seat after the release of American Gangster, he finally acknowledged the claims Wayne had made for years and embraced him as the heir to hip-hop’s proverbial throne.
Jay-Z And Lil Wayne Appear Together On “Swagga Like Us”
Date: September 2008
What happened? Jay-Z and T.I. teamed up with Kanye West and Lil Wayne for the single “Swagga Like Us” that appeared on T.I.’s Paper Trail album. This marked the third collaboration between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.
Complex says: This song consisted of four rappers who could all lay claim to being the hottest rapper in the game, respecting and subtly competing against each other. For Jay and Wayne, it was a gesture of recognizing one another as one of the four premiere titans in the game.
Jay-Z And Lil Wayne Co-Headline Power 105.1 Concert
Date: October 2008
What happened? With relations between the two rappers having been better than ever for the better part of one year, the two shared co-headlined their first concert together: Power 105.1’s Powerhouse.
Complex says: To fans, this event seemed to be the ultimate competition between the two rappers. Both of them having laid claim to rap’s most prestigious title, fans were eager to see who had the better live show, the most hits, the most guests, and the overall better show. While Jay came crisp, many thought Wayne’s set seemed spotty and discombobulated.
Jay-Z And Lil Wayne Perform “Swagga Like Us” Together At The 51st Grammys
Date: February 2009
What happened? Accompanied by M.I.A. and dressed in dapper black formal wear, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and T.I. performed “Swagga Like Us” together during the 51st Grammy Awards
Complex says: During the performance the animosity that previously existed between these two seemed non-existent. Wayne seemed particularly energetic when joining the other three artists in crowding around Jay-Z and gesturing during his verse. Jay also rapped along with Weezy during his verse. The two concluded the show standing next to each other, proudly.
Jay-Z Shouts Out Lil Wayne On “D.O.A.”
Date: June 2009
Lyrics: “This might need a verse from Jeezy/I might send this to the mixtape Weezy.”
Complex says: Coining the nickname “Mixtape Weezy,” Jay-Z paid his respects to Lil Wayne on 2009’s “D.O.A.” More particularly, he complimented Wayne’s relentless mixtape rapping style. With their beef seemingly long behind them, the compliment was rare but not surprising.
Birdman Says Lil Wayne Is Richer Than Jay-Z
Date: October 2009
What happened? In response to Jay-Z being named MTV’s “Hottest MC In The Game” Birdman told Tropical TV, "I don't think [Jay-Z] is the number one emcee in no kind of way. Wayne's the best. He do the most and he make the most money. I don't think no nigga in the business make more money than us. How can you be the best if you don't make the most money? And you don't do the most? Lyrically, come on man, be for real, can't nobody fuck with Wayne...If you number one and you ain't getting no money it don't mean nothing."
Complex says: With this comment, Birdman reignited the flame that once sizzled between the two rappers but had been quelled since 2007. This two-part diss took a swipe at both Jay-Z’s bank account and his merits as an emcee. Wayne may not have been directly involved, but his close association to Birdman made the statement sound like the product of group-think within the Cash Money camp.
Lil Wayne Raps Over Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” & “D.O.A.” On No Ceilings
Date: October 2009
What happened? Weezy took Jay up on the offer he made on “D.O.A.” and got on the instrumental (he even threw a soundbite of Jay’s shoutout unto the freestyle) on his No Ceilings mixtape. But he also came gunning for Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” instrumental. No shots were taken though.
Complex says: Stylistically, Wayne’s freestyle over Jay’s hit single immediately drew comparisons to his “Dough Is What I Got,” which was the last time he rapped over one of Jay’s singles. This time though, Wayne didn’t let off any stray shots despite Birdman’s recent denouncing of him.
Jay-Z Pays Respect To Lil Wayne On “A Star Is Born”
Date: November 2009
Lyric: “Wayne’s scorching/I’ll applaud him/If he keeps going/Pass the torch to him.”
Complex says: Jay’s ode to all of the legends of the past, present, and future, wouldn’t have been complete without a mention of Young Weezy. Taking it a step further, Jay once again crowned him the heir to the throne. Only this time he hinted that Weezy still had to earn it. Wait, we thought Jay already passed the torch to Wayne on “Mr. Carter?"
Jay-Z Responds To Birdman’s Claims That Lil Wayne Has More Money Than He Does
Date: January 2010
What happened? When asked about Birdman’s claims that Lil Wayne is both a better rapper and wealthier than he is, Jay-Z responded by saying, “Being lyrical is just a matter of opinion. It’s who you like, so that’s his opinion. As far as money, that’s a little more factual. We can determine that...Put it up. If he’s that confident, I’ll give him a little glimpse. It’s crazy...Cut it out. Knock it off [Laughs.]...If he believes that, I respect that. That’s his guy. He’s suppose to ride with his guy.”
Complex says: Jay’s response was much less about what he said, but how he said it. His dismissive tone and laughter stung a bit more than an actual jab. Although it was easy to tell he felt slightly disrespected by Birdman’s claims, Jay kept it amicable.
Lil Wayne Performs With Jeezy During Jay-Z’s New York “Blueprint 3 Tour” Stop
Date: March 2010
What happened? After his prison sentencing was delayed due to a fire in the courthouse, Wayne used his free time to jump on stage with Jeezy during Jay-Z’s “Blueprint 3 Tour” stop at Madison Square Garden. The two never performed together.
Complex says: This was sort of like when a friend invites you to someone else’s party and you know the host but for some reason they didn’t invite you. Jay may or may not have been pleased with Wayne’s appearance but Wayne came for Jeezy, not Jay. The relationship may not have been frigid from that point forward, but the ice was definitely getting thinner.
Jay-Z Compliments Lil Wayne In An Interview
Date: June 2010
What happened? In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jay-Z said, “One of the reasons I wanted to make Blueprint 3 was because of the challenge. We've seen people like LL [Cool J] have longevity, and we respect the heritage of what he's done, but it's not like, right now, he's competing on the same level as Lil Wayne. So for me to still be able to compete at that level at my age, that's rarefied air. It's never been done.”
Complex says: Jay-Z always fancied himself the best, so acknowledging Lil Wayne as his competitor served as a tip of the cap in Wayne’s direction. In short, Jay-Z was saying Lil Wayne was, at least, on his level.
Lil Wayne Gets Excited About Jay-Z’s “Light Up” Verse, Contributes His Own
Date: June 2010
What happened? In a candid speakerphone conversation with Mac Maine, Lil Wayne talked about his reaction to hearing Drake’s collaborative song with Jay-Z, “Light Up.” Wayne said of Jay’s verse, “Ain't nobody talking about what your boy talking about. That nigga is stupid [with his rhymes]! I said, 'Oooh, look at that.'” Weezy later recorded his verse to the song over a prison phoneline.
Complex says: This showed that—despite their oft times rocky relationship—Lil Wayne is both a fan and a competitor at heart. The inspired verse that he contributed to the song was all in the spirit of competition. Wayne set out to show that he could still hang with any of hip-hop’s current lyrical heavyweights, including his labelmate and most certainly Jay-Z.
Jay-Z Sends Subliminal Shots At Lil Wayne On “H.A.M.”
Date: January 2011
Lyric: “I’m like, ‘Really?/Half-a-billy nigga, really?’/You got baby money/Keep it real with niggas/Niggas ain’t got my lady’s money.”
Complex says: Referencing Birdman—also known as Baby—and his 2009 claim that Lil Wayne was making more money than him, Jay-Z reignited the fire. Demeaning Birdman and Wayne by calling their net-worth “Baby money,” Hov took it a step further by hinting that their funds don’t even stack up to Beyoncé’s. However, we always found Jay’s claim amusing, since Beyoncé makes more money than he does too.
Wayne Responds To Jay-Z’s “Baby Money” Line On MTV
Date: March 2011
What happened? During an interview with MTV, in reference to Jay-Z’s “Baby money” line on “H.A.M.” Lil Wayne said, “I wouldn't make it a competition, because actually, the subject that he's talking about in that line, I can't box with the god. I'd be the first one to tell you that, given my wit, and the type of person that I am, I'd capitalize and I'd play off of it.”
Complex says: At this point, we should have all known a song like “It’s Good” was coming.
Lil Wayne Disses Jay-Z On “It’s Good,” Says There Will Be No Repercussions
Date: August 2011
What happened? In a response to Jay-Z’s “H.A.M.” diss, Wayne rapped on Tha Carter IV’s “It’s Good,” "Talkin' 'bout baby money, I got your baby money / Kidnap your bitch, Get that ‘how much you love your lady?' money/I know you fake nigga/Press your brakes nigga."
When asked about the line Wayne said, “I know there won’t be any repercussions behind what I did. I know for a fact music is about perception. You can’t do anything but perceive what you hear. I know that for a fact. So I can’t ever be upset about someone’s reaction.”
Complex says: Reminiscent of the time Jay-Z mentioned Nas’ baby’s mother on “Superugly,” Waynes mention of kidnapping Beyonce may have taken this battle up a notch. Saying, “Press your brakes” is Wayne no longer willing to defer to Jay-Z. His nonchalant, “It is what it is” quote afterward furthers the fact that Wayne is now willing and ready to take out his most skilled adversary yet. The ball is in Jay’s court now.