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.”