Rap-Up.com || Drake: Lil Wayne’s Album Sales Confirm ‘Iconic Status’

Lil Wayne did the unthinkable when his latest album Tha Carter IV sold nearly a million copies in its first week, an astonishing feat in today’s climate. His Young Money affiliate Drake says the accomplishment is a testament to Wayne’s status as a music icon.

During an interview with “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” on Power 106 (via HipHop-N-More), Drake reacted to his YMCMB boss’ blockbuster sales. “I just knew he’s an icon. That’s iconic status because a lot of people would argue that it wasn’t as big as Carter III was,” he explained. “There was no ‘Lollipop,’ there was no ‘A Milli.’ Obviously Wayne kept their attention and kept that excitement going because it takes a lot to put that many people in the stores. That is serious. That’s like diamond in a year, if we’re talking back in the day.”

He acknowledged his labelmates’ ability to connect beyond the music. “That’s the other thing too that I recognize about my team members is that they’re so iconic,” added Drizzy. “Like Nicki is such a character and Wayne is such a character. There’s people who dress up as them for Halloween. There’s people that talk like them, want to be like them—get tattoos like Wayne, do their hair like Nicki.”

While he may not command the same attention, the “Headlines” rapper aspires to be iconic in his on way. “They’re so iconic—that’s also something that I always try to push myself with my music. I feel like that’s the only way I can be iconic. I’m just more of a stripped down individual, as far as image-wise. I feel like I gotta work harder because these guys are like real icons, stars, and sometimes I feel I gotta step it up a bit.”

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73 Comments

Yeah4Lu
October 12th, 2011 at 10:13 am
fuck albums sales, it all about the music!!

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kerron Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Yeah4Lu, Co-fuckin-sigh

that album was wack as hell

WATCH THE THRONE >>>>>>>>> CATERIV

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Latonya Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@kerron, as far as a great hiphop album to remember watch the throne is the first, the next and the last, the greatest album …ever but i was thinking about he carter IV ever since it was announced. It wasn’t wack. I think some the songs that didn’t make the cut should’ve been up there though

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WaleisDope Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Yeah4Lu, True

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sangria Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@Yeah4Lu, an artist job is to sell record

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uhuh Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:02 am
@sangria, folks never acknowledge anything. weezy made history.. twice. give him props

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P Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:45 am
@uhuh, dude you’re historically stupid

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uhuh Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@P, stay mad

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John Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@uhuh, MC Hammer sold 10 million.Who gives a f*ck.

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uhuh Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@John, wayne sold a mill twice in the era of time. its very rare

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Spanellie Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@uhuh,
Yeah well Eminem has 2 Diamond albums in his catalog (meaning he sold 10 million copies of a CD twice). Hell he sold like 6-7 million of his latest one & got Grammys and they all were quality. That’s something 2 write home about. THA Carter III was dope… The last one not even in the same arena. He kinda list that fire afterwards… He had some cool stuff here & there, but nothing like it was B-4 THA CARTER III. Nicki on the other hand needs to deliver a classic, how ever, her sales will probably spike next year because she has a wide spread fan base that’s into pop … 4 the moment.

KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@uhuh, Wayne sold a Million 1. And over 950, 000 the second time.

Dre Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@uhuh, Well actually he sold a milli once first week. Carter 4 sold 900+ not a milli.

Richard Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@uhuh, nuh his ulbum was weak. Watch the throne best album followed by rollin papers.

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Drew Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
@sangria, an artist’s job is to make good music…that’s suppose to make it sell..BUT now its all about buzz and bullshit

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Mr Xclusive Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@Yeah4Lu, people that buy the music like it, therefore your statement is invalid

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@Mr Xclusive, People that bought the Carter 4, was still drunken off the hype of Carter 3, but the reviews has been horrible, and fans are pissed.

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kevin hill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@KillBill, Hell No! Wayne have a strong fanbase. His fans support his music. He is always putting in work.

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
@kevin hill, Did you read my comment thoroughly? So why haven’t that Rock shit he did do successful, or I Am Not A Human Being? Wayne’s fans (listeners), were pleased with C3 that they rushed to get C4 and it turned out to be trash.

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Coleworld
October 12th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Drake always kissing Wayne’s a**

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KingdomCum23
October 12th, 2011 at 10:32 am
This Is A Sexy Ass Pic Of Drake Tho.

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KMart Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@KingdomCum23, im trying to figure out if it was photoshopped?! why does he look so old in this picture lmao

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T
October 12th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Iconic? Drake, you’re one of my favorite rappers but please have SEVERAl fucking seats. In my opinion, Tha Carter IV wasn’t even that great. Cole World is definitely better and so is Watch The Throne

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uhuh Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:04 am
@T, he said the album SALES are iconic status. are you fxcking retarded or what? READ first before you talk trash towards tunechi.

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T Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@uhuh, You stupid idiot. He said “I just know he’s an icon.” Now you go and have SEVERAL fucking seats too. Go ahead, move along

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uhuh Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@T, wether you like it or not. he is an icon. the youth look up to him.

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Middlefinger Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@uhuh, i feel u r just numb in d music world due 2 ur obsession wit wayne, tha carter 4 only sold dat much in 1st week bcos ppl thought it was gonna b as gud as carter 3 buh it was not. Afta all watch d throne n cole world is way beta (duffus)

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I AM A 99%er
October 12th, 2011 at 10:34 am
LOL. His Album sales is supposed to mean Iconic status? Hmmm.

Well ppl what is the status, the state of things going to mean with this :

United against Barack Obama, Senate Republicans voted Tuesday night to kill the jobs package the president had spent weeks campaigning for across the country.
Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Jon Tester of Montana, along with every Republican present opposed the plan. SO NO JOBS!!!

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WaleisDope Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@I AM A 99%er,
WTF…
They turned down the proposal???
This is NOT GOOD!

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jay
October 12th, 2011 at 10:58 am
So, in no way is drake acknowledging their music. He’s just praising their image. One of the many reasons why music is so fucked up. Thanks drake

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WaleisDope Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@jay,
True. I heard the interview though & he mentioned how good he thought they were lyrically & how they all should keep a healthy competition between all of them.

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Joe
October 12th, 2011 at 11:06 am
I said it before, I’ll say it again.

We can talk about “iconic status” when one of your albums outsells 400 DEGREEZ. How does that sound?

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KeepItReal
October 12th, 2011 at 11:12 am
drake is a waynes personal d*** rider, if way is an icon why it took him over 10years to get “hot” wayne been in this game since 1995 but he didnt start topping the charts til 2007/08. Drake, girl sit down

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Rob
October 12th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Notice how Drake doesn’t even mention the quality of Lil Wayne’s music when discussing “iconic status”. These days people are quick to overlook truly ICONIC artists or albums just because the sales aren’t there. An artist’s sales or the popularity of their halloween costumes are not what makes them iconic. It all comes down to their music. Will their music stand the test of time. Will we look back years from now and say WOW “Tha Carter IV” was one of the best rap records released back then? Will “Pink Friday” be looked at as one of the best female rap records in history? …or will we, years from now, look at our lil wayne face tattoos, “it’s barbie, biiiiitchh” chest tattoos and Nicki Minaj halloween costumes hanging in our closets wondering what were we thinking?

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@Rob, CO-SIGN

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kevin hill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@Rob, You hating now. I expect u to be a hater in future. Exactly

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DRB
October 12th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Aside from music quality, he has a big first week and then falls down the charts with no follow up single or stability. I’d rather sell a fourth of his first week if it meant my album had a lifespan.

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kb
October 12th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
iconic should not be mentioned at all in this article, album sales and money does not make you iconic unless that’s all you care about

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John
October 12th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
To bad sales don’t equal talent.The whole Young Money crew is overrated.

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Spanellie Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@John,
#Truth

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pArallel-intersect Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Spanellie,
lies

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Jane Doe Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
@John, co sign. Baby brought those records. You notice the second wk the media wasn’t even talking about his album. Bunch of frauds & gays at YMCMB. Don’t be fooled.

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Blogstodiefor.com
October 12th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
They sure as hell do. Not too many people are having that kind of success..especially not even a full year out of prison. Go Weezy F Baby!

Blogstodiefor.com

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Triniti
October 12th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA #ICANT

But seriously, it’s a damn sad day when album sales are thought to be the equivalent of what is truly GOOD, meaningful music.

I like Drake and Weezy, but c’mon son. The same people glorifying these two are the same that do nothing but hate on J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Wale because they aren’t “commercial enough.”

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MrUnhateable
October 12th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
You haters are unbelievable lol us Wayne fans look down on u idiots and laugh. It’s true, when u on top they even. It’s funny watching you reach for things to diss Wayne for hoping and praying he fall! Lol y’all quick to name a 100 people better but bootleg they shit. Here’s a thought, take all that negative energy, turn it around into something positive like oh I dunno, maybe SUPPORT THE PEOPLE U ACTUALLY LIKE! I dunno, just a thought stupid haters. Wayne winning and ur favorite losing. That’s y u mad!

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clearly a mistake
October 12th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Your only icon should be GoD…so sick of people worshippin man….

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sangria Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@clearly a mistake,
I am tired of people believing in sh!t that they can’t see

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Kesha Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@sangria,
Stop it.
I pity the fool that believes everything they see & THINK its real….
*Praying 4 U*

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KillBill Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 10:16 am
@sangria, your on first class trip to HELL.

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MrUnhateable
October 12th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
And albums sales so equal iconic status! People wanna say mc hammer sold 10 records to justify they hate but Michael Jackson sold 100 million! Your albums selling means the people still love and support u. The people make u an icon, not critics! You can have the best reviewed album in the world but if no one buys it, it’s like a tree falling in the forest with no one around!

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Scooter Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@MrUnhateable,

Michael’s talent speaks 4 itself. No one compares… Get another example. Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli & Spice Girls all sold millions & Grammys… Hell Hammer was a good performer & had good material 4 that time. Nelly sold milliOns 2… That means nothing.

I’m not saying Wayne isn’t Iconic. I feel like he is for the younger generation. Just like Jay is for his. But it’s because hes done like 400 features, countless #1′s, a couple platinum albums & he’s not even 30! Not to mention he’s over his own dynasty. One album can’t ruin that. Now this what I just stated was a better argument then saying “PEOPLE MAKE U ICONIC” … Nas ain’t sold close 2 what Jay has yet he’s a legend & Icon in his own right.

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@MrUnhateable, Having a a lot of features doesn’t make you iconic. Wayne has to break records, make good music that is debatable. Instead of these Facebook/twitter update lyrics.

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outlaw420
October 12th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
damn drake talks about wayne like hes motherfucking jesus wayne and all of them r fuckin overrated they suck they repersent HIP-POP music not HIP-HOP any real HIP-HOP fan will tell u

[Reply]
Lil Wayne Isn’t ‘Feelin’ Khaled, Says Uncle Luke Is ‘Trippin’ – The BoomBox | Droid Universe
October 12th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
[...] Rap-Up.com [...]
Yeezy & HOV
October 12th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Drake says anything there, it’s not because we sold a lot as it is an icon, for me it did not sens.par example if Lady Gaga released an album really bad and it is opposed Christina Aguilera, we know very well that it ladygaga who sell the most albums.
although Aguilera made an album of very good qualité.et I hear drake comment on the quality of CaterIv and not talk about sales figures

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dia
October 12th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
just luv drake he is ready 2 be a beast, buy take care its going b a funtastic album 4 sure.

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Ronnie Ron
October 12th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Y does everybody talk about Wayne like he is some kind of selling machine? His highest selling album was tha carter 3 and it sold over 3 mil, every album eminem put out except relapse outsold every Wayne album and Marshall Mathers LP outsold wayne’s career

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Sindy Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@Ronnie Ron,

POW!
I co-sign!

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
@Ronnie Ron, I know right. Kanye has sold 3 million is the U/S alone.

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Dre Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Ronnie Ron, The eminem show also outsold lil wayne’s career haha.

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wdf 0_o ?!?!
October 12th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
dude basically said every song wayne released for this album was shit and it still “sold” a million records miraculously the first wk lol. i dont think dude mess with them YM cat anymore….he sees through their fake ways

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
@wdf 0_o ?!?!, he sold 964,000 copies.

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white hos love BBC
October 12th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
yall gotta stop sayin wayne sold a milli the first week. baby bought a milli of wayne albums the first week. its a difference

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Jane Doe Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
@white hos love BBC, yep you got it right. Frauds. Drake is their #1 butt buddy.

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C94B
October 12th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Certified Diamond in 1 year “Back in the day” ? Please tell me which day, I’d be very interested to know if there’s a “back in the day” when rap artists sell 10 million albums in a single year.

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KillBill Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@C94B, I know right 964,000 copies in a week is far from Diamond, and Jay Z Eminem maybe.But Drake is dick rider, literally

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Keith
October 12th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Ovtober’s Very Obvious

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bknyhustle
October 12th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
man miss me with all em so called real hiphop Ny-Quil ass rappers…Carter 4 is the shit…case closed.

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Amass
October 12th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Y player hatin c4 wen u do’v a copy..i aint wayne fan bt u cant compare wtt wit c4…4 cryin out loud wtt was a joint lp..bt c4 exceed it..d truth is wayne’ll still win a grammy wit dat album so y hatin..wayne dos shits dat oda rappers cant do…except eminem..d bottom line is u cant do away wit c4 cos i bet u,u’ll miss it lk ur first p***y

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Hugh
October 13th, 2011 at 5:35 am
Drake you are twice the artist Wayne is!

You actually sound good for a start.
Just sayin

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Sega noni
October 13th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Hugh, u a fuckin retard….lil wayne is iconic nt evn bcos he sold a million copies

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GolfWang
October 13th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
birdman bought all the albums and lets talk music not album sales… red album, watch the throne, cole world. snm

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Kennith
February 24th, 2012 at 7:12 am
Posted on apaprently the OSU campus wide lost and found is in McCracken. i went in there once. i dont think anything is ever found there. only lost.

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