Lil Wayne Covers Tupac, Performs New Song at 'Unplugged' Taping
Lil Wayne followed hip-hop greats like Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill, becoming the latest artist to go “Unplugged” for MTV. The rap kingpin taped his intimate special of the groundbreaking series before a live audience at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif., on Thursday (May 12), performing stripped-down versions of his Cash Money classics.
Dressed casually in a white tee, jeans, and red fitted cap, Weezy opened with “3 Peat” and “Mr. Carter,” before giving new life to “A Milli” with his band. Playaz Circle’s Tity Boi joined him for “Duffle Bag Boy” and Young Money’s own Shanell guested on Rebirth‘s “Running” and “Prom Queen.”
The New Orleans native ventured into holy hip-hop territory with an acoustic cover of Tupac Shakur’s “Hail Mary,” his answer to those who keep asking about his recent jail experience.
After performing more current hits including “Drop the World” and the chart-topping “Lollipop,” he debuted a new song from Tha Carter IV called “Nightmares of the Bottom,” part of which he has previewed on his “I Am Still Music” tour. “I’m sleeping at the top, nightmares of the bottom/ Everybody want to be fly till you swat them,” rapped Tunechi.
The memorable evening came to a close with a rousing rendition of “6 Foot 7 Foot,” with Young Money’s rising star Cory Gunz storming the stage to spit his rapid-fire verse alongside his mentor.
“MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged” will air Sunday, June 12, at 9 p.m. on MTV and MTV2.
[Photos via Twitter]